What is the Osseointegration of Dental Implants?
If you had a consultation with one of our oral surgeons about dental implants, you may have heard us use the word ‘osseointegration’ and are wondering what it means. We often talk about osseointegration as it pertains to the healing process of dental implants. Simply put, osseointegration is a natural process that occurs when the dental implant fuses with your jawbone and gums. Once this occurs, the implant will be strong enough to function like a natural tooth.
How long does the osseointegration of dental implants take?
Every patient is different, but generally, the fusing of a dental implant to your bone can take up to six months to complete. The body’s ability to heal itself is quite amazing, and as long as you’re in good oral health, the process will occur on its own. However, we can provide a few tips to help ensure that osseointegration takes place and that your implant treatment is successful.
- Avoiding infection is key, so be sure to complete the full course of prescribed antibiotics
- To further reduce bacteria in your mouth, we recommend rinsing with an antimicrobial mouthwash
- Avoid drinking alcohol and using tobacco products during the healing process; both disrupt and slow down the healing process
How long do dental implants last?
While dental implants are designed to potentially last for the rest of your life, the longevity of your crown will depend on your oral hygiene routine and other factors. On average, you can expect the crown placed on a dental implant to last 10 to 15 years. However, in many cases, a simple repair can extend the life of a crown even further.
Does Medicare cover dental implants?
Original Medicare does not cover dental implants, however, there may be some costs related to implants that Medicare will cover. Understanding dental insurance coverage can be confusing. At Bergen Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery in NJ, our in-house finance team will help you understand your benefits, complete and submit dental insurance forms to your insurance company, and maximize any reimbursements you may be eligible for. We also have many flexible payment options, including CareCredit.
Schedule a consultation to learn more
If you’re looking for an oral surgeon in NJ specializing in dental implants, we encourage you to schedule a consultation at one of our fourth North Jersey oral surgery offices. Our offices are equipped with state-of-the-art surgical suites and our doctors are the only oral surgeons in Bergen County who are board-certified and dual-degree doctors. Our surgical team trained for years in each practice area, receiving credentials in both dentistry and medicine. This combined expertise allows our surgeons to effectively link the two areas, providing our patients with the best and most holistic oral surgery care possible.
