Dental Implants Heber City
Recover Your Teeth for Life
Every dentist will tell you that dental implants are by far the best tooth replacement available today, and people who have had both traditional dentures and implants will say the same. Why? Because they are in a class of their own when it comes to strength, aesthetics, and longevity. For patients hoping to rebuild their smiles, nothing turns back the clock and helps them feel like themselves again like dental implants in Heber City.
What Are Dental Implants?
On the surface, a dental implant just looks like a very small titanium screw. The way it works is that this is placed into the jaw to act like a new tooth root. It actually bonds with the bone through a natural process called osseointegration, creating something that is extremely stable. From there, the implant can be attached to a custom-made crown, bridge, or denture to complete someone’s smile.
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
The thing that makes dental implants unique is the fact that they replace the entirety of the missing teeth, including the roots. This allows for benefits that you can’t get from other tooth replacement options, like dentures and dental bridges. It also means that dental implants require a unique, multi-step process that takes several months to complete. But they are well worth the wait! Everyone’s treatment looks a little bit different, but here are the four main steps that you can expect.
Initial Dental Implant Consultation
The first step when getting dental implants is to attend a consultation. We’ll talk about your goals and examine your mouth to determine if dental implants would be a good fit for your situation. Some patients end up needing preliminary procedures, like tooth extractions, gum disease treatment, and bone grafting, before they can get dental implants. Once your jaw and gums are in good health, we can move forward to planning the rest of your treatment. We will walk you through the cost and the specific timeline of your treatment.
Dental Implant Surgery
At TimberRidge Dental, we are proud to complete the entire dental implant process in-house, so you don’t need to worry about visiting a local specialist and paying for the procedure separately. The procedure will begin with numbing the area with a local anesthetic. Then, a small incision is made into the gums to access the jawbone. The dental implants are placed at precise locations and angles. Lastly, your gums will be closed, and protective caps will be placed over the dental implant posts to keep them safe while they heal.
Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment
Your mouth will heal relatively quickly, but the implants will need about three to six months to fuse with your jaw in a process called “osseointegration.” This is what makes your replacement teeth so stable and secure. Once they are ready, abutments will be placed on top, which will be used to attach your restoration to your implants. Then, impressions are taken of your smile so your restoration(s) can be custom-made.
Delivery of Dental Implant Restorations
The big day has arrived! You’ll visit our office one last time so your dentist can place your new crown, bridge, or denture depending on the number of teeth you are replacing. We will make sure everything fits and looks great so you can walk out of the practice showing off your complete smile!
Benefits of Dental Implants
- Much stronger than traditional bridges and dentures
- Teeth never slip or slide out of place
- Natural appearance—no metal attachments that stick out
- Teeth don’t have to be removed to be cleaned
- Provide internal support for the jaw that prevents bone loss
- Leave more room in the mouth compared to regular dentures
- Clearer speech
- No dietary restrictions
- Maintenance just consists of regular brushing, flossing, and dental appointments
- Can easily last for 30+ years