
Dental Implants in Hackensack, NJ
What Are Dental Implants?
Every implant has three parts. A small titanium post takes the place of the tooth root and is set into the jawbone. An abutment connects to that post and rises through the gum. A custom crown sits on top and looks and works like a natural tooth. Because the post fuses with your jawbone through a process called osseointegration, the implant stays firmly in place while you eat, speak, and smile.
Dental implants are used to replace anything from a single tooth to an entire arch, and they are the only tooth replacement that preserves the jawbone underneath. That is why, when the situation allows for them, they are considered the gold standard.
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Who Can Have Dental Implants?
Implants are for adults, because the jaw has to have finished growing before a permanent post goes into it. Placing an implant in a jaw that is still developing can push a tooth out of position later or leave the implant misaligned. There is no upper age limit. Patients in their 70s, 80s, and 90s receive implants regularly and heal well, since what matters far more than age is general health, the quality of the bone, and how well you look after your mouth.
An implant fuses directly to your jawbone, so there has to be enough healthy bone in that spot to hold it. Bone begins to shrink the moment a tooth is lost, and the longer a gap sits empty, the more it recedes. This is one of the top reasons patients are told "no implants" by another office, and it is often not the whole story.
- Your 3D scan measures the exact height and width of bone available at each planned site.
- Small deficits are treated with focused grafting, sometimes done at the same visit as placement.
- Larger deficits are rebuilt with a graft before implants go in, adding a few months to the plan.
- Angled implant designs like All-on-4 can work with limited bone in the back of the jaw, sometimes avoiding grafting altogether.
If you have been told your bone is not enough, it is worth a second look with a proper scan.
Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, and it does not go away on its own. Because an implant sits in the same bone that gum disease attacks, any active infection has to be under control before implants can be placed. Signs of active disease include gums that bleed easily, receding gum lines, deep pockets around the teeth, and bone loss visible on x-rays.
The important part: a history of gum disease does not disqualify you. Even patients with significant past bone loss can go on to have successful implants once the infection is treated with deep cleanings, antibiotics, or periodontal procedures, and once ongoing maintenance is in place. What matters is that the disease is controlled and stays controlled.
Implant placement is a routine, focused surgery, and healing depends on the same things any other surgery does. Most healthy adults qualify, including patients with well-managed chronic conditions.
Well-controlled diabetes is usually fine. Uncontrolled diabetes with unstable blood sugar meaningfully raises the risk of implant failure and needs to be brought under control first.
Certain medications can affect bone healing, including some osteoporosis drugs and long-term steroids. We review your full medication list at consultation.
Autoimmune conditions and treatments are planned around case by case, sometimes in coordination with your physician.
Radiation to the jaw or head and neck in your medical history is a case-by-case conversation, since it changes how bone heals.
Two lifestyle factors affect implant success more than almost anything else. Smoking narrows the small blood vessels in the gum, slows the fusion of the implant to the bone, and meaningfully raises the risk of failure both during healing and for years afterward. We ask you to stop before surgery, through the whole healing period, and ideally for good.Oral hygiene is what protects implants long term. An implant does not decay, but the gum and bone around it can become infected if plaque and tartar are allowed to build up, a condition called peri-implantitis. Brushing, flossing, and regular professional cleanings are what turn a well-placed implant into one that lasts for decades.


Why a Prosthodontist for Your Dental Implants
Dr. Meskin is a prosthodontist dedicated to one thing: replacing and restoring teeth so they look, feel, and function like the ones you were born with. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree and completed his specialty training in prosthodontics at NYU, then refined his implant work as an associate prosthodontist at ClearChoice, one of the largest dental implant networks in the country. Today he leads Hackensack Center for Dental Implants, where every case is planned in 3D, fabricated in an on-site lab, and designed around the patient sitting in front of him. He provides care in English, Spanish, and Russian.
Dr. Alan Meskin, DDS – Credentials
- Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), NYU College of Dentistry
- Certificate in Prosthodontics, NYU College of Dentistry
- Associate Prosthodontist, ClearChoice Dental Implant Centers
Dr. Alan Meskin, DDS – Recognition
- Patients describe him as an artist with a gentle touch whose restorative work looks so natural no one can tell.
- 4.7 stars on Google with over 1,000 reviews.
- Complex and referred-out cases trusted to him by other dental offices.

Comfort First: Sedation That Takes the Fear Out
Explore Our Sedation Options
Types of Dental Implants
Snap-In Overdenture
How Dental Implants Are Done
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Initial Consultation and Diagnostic Tests
Your first visit gives Dr. Meskin the information needed to plan treatment safely and accurately. We review your health history, examine your teeth and gums, and use 3D imaging to map the implant site.
- A complete examination of your teeth, gums, bite, and missing-tooth site
- A 3D cone beam scan to evaluate bone, nerves, and sinuses
- Photographs or impressions to plan the appearance of your final teeth
- A discussion of your goals, comfort options, and medical history
- A clear treatment plan, timeline, and cost estimate
Implant Placement
Once the site is ready, the implant is placed into the jawbone using the position established during 3D planning. Local anesthetic keeps the procedure comfortable, and sedation is available when appropriate.
Any required extraction, bone graft, or gum treatment is completed before or during placement.
The implant is guided into the planned position through a small opening in the gum.
A healing cap or temporary tooth may be provided, depending on the location and treatment plan.
Healing
During the next few months, the implant bonds with the jawbone in a process called osseointegration. This creates a stable foundation for the final tooth. Most patients return to normal routines quickly while following simple instructions for diet, cleaning, and follow-up visits.
Final Restoration
After the implant has fully healed, we capture a detailed impression and create the final crown, bridge, or full-arch restoration. Dr. Meskin checks the fit, bite, shape, and shade so the finished teeth feel comfortable and look natural.

The Recovery Timeline
A Typical Implant Recovery Timeline
Day 0
Placement. Minor soreness, soft foods, rest for the day.
Days 1 to 3
Peak swelling and soreness. Soft foods only. Usually milder than expected.
Days 4 to 7
Swelling drops off. Most people return to work.
Weeks 2 to 4
Stitches dissolve and gums heal. Still on a soft diet.
Months 1 to 3
The bone fuses to your implants. Keep protecting them with softer foods.
Months 3 to 6
Your final crown or teeth are placed. Back to a normal diet.
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Frequently Asked Questions
No. Age itself is not a barrier. Patients in their 70s, 80s, and beyond receive implants every year and heal well, provided general health supports it. What matters is your overall health and the quality of your bone, both of which are checked at your consultation.
Most patients are surprised how comfortable it is. Placement is done under local anesthetic, and sedation is available for anyone who feels anxious. Any soreness afterward is usually managed with simple over-the-counter care.
From placement to your final tooth is usually a few months, because the implant needs time to fuse with the bone. Appointments themselves are short. Most of the timeline is quiet healing, not chair time.
Cost depends on the type of case, from a single implant to a full-arch reconstruction. After your 3D scan you receive a clear written estimate with no surprises, plus financing options that spread the cost into monthly payments.
Full cost breakdown →
You may still qualify. Focused bone grafts can rebuild sites where the bone has shrunk, and angled implant designs like All-on-4 are built to work with limited bone. A 3D scan is the only way to know for certain, and many patients who were told no elsewhere still qualify here.
With good hygiene and regular check-ups, the implant itself can last for decades, often for life. The crown on top is durable and can be maintained or replaced over the years if needed.
Yes. We will find a way. We try every avenue, and our dedicated team of treatment coordinators will help you find a plan that fits. We work with Cherry, HFD, Proceed, and CareCredit, and we verify any insurance benefits up front.


