Living with a missing tooth can affect more than your smile — it can shift how you chew, how neighboring teeth settle over time, and how confident you feel day to day. For Hillsborough residents comparing options, dental implants provide a fixed, jawbone-anchored replacement designed to function like a natural tooth.
Cedar Smiles Dental, located nearby in Somerset, NJ, is part of the areas we serve across Somerset County. Dr. Kelvin Wong is a diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI), giving Hillsborough patients access to advanced implant planning within a conservative, patient-first practice.
The implant process starts with placing a titanium post into the jawbone to act as an artificial tooth root. Over the following weeks to months, the bone gradually fuses to the post — a process known as osseointegration — before Dr. Wong attaches a custom crown shaped and shaded to match your natural teeth.
Some Hillsborough patients, particularly those who have been missing a tooth for a long time, may need a bone grafting procedure first to rebuild adequate bone density at the implant site. Dr. Wong reviews imaging during your consultation to confirm what your specific case requires.
As a private, independent practice, Cedar Smiles Dental is not bound by corporate production targets. Dr. Wong takes the time to explain each stage of implant treatment to Hillsborough patients, from initial imaging through the placement of the final crown, so you always know what to expect next.
Implants are not the only option for replacing a missing tooth. We also offer dental bridges and dentures, and Dr. Wong will help you compare the long-term tradeoffs of each based on your specific situation.
Hillsborough is one of the many Somerset County communities we’re glad to serve from our nearby office. We accept most dental insurance plans and offer financing through CareCredit and Cherry, and our in-house membership plan gives patients without insurance a straightforward path to care.
Dr. Wong provides a full cost breakdown before treatment begins, so Hillsborough patients can make an informed decision about their implant plan.
Bone loss is common after a tooth has been missing for a while, since the jawbone that once supported it can gradually resorb. Dr. Wong reviews imaging during your consultation to check bone density, and if it's insufficient, a bone grafting procedure can rebuild the site before implant placement.
A dental implant is anchored directly in the jawbone and stands independently, while a bridge relies on the teeth next to the gap for support, which sometimes means altering healthy adjacent teeth. Dr. Wong can walk Hillsborough patients through the pros and cons of each based on the location of the missing tooth and the health of the surrounding teeth.
Implant placement is done under local anesthesia, and most patients report mild discomfort afterward that's manageable with over-the-counter pain relief. Any soreness typically resolves within a few days.
Implants can replace a single tooth or, in cases involving several missing teeth, can be used to support a bridge or full-arch restoration. Dr. Wong will design a plan around how many teeth need replacing and your jawbone's condition.
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