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?

Illustrated dental crown being placed onto a dental implant in Heber City

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

Dentist pointing to a model of a dental implant

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

Man meeting a receptionist

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

Dentist performing 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

Digital illustration of a dental implant

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

Woman smiling in the dental chair

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

Senior woman pointing to her smile

The benefits of dental implants in Heber City are truly unmatched! Thanks to the advanced design of these tooth replacements, patients who restore their smile with dental implants can enjoy several unique benefits. To learn more about them, you can click on the button below, or schedule a consultation with one of our implant dentists.

Day-to-Day Benefits

Group of friends chatting over brunch

In their day-to-day lives, patients with dental implants benefit from enhanced oral function. If your missing teeth made it difficult to eat your favorite foods, enunciate certain sounds, or feel confident in your smile, you’ll notice an immediate difference after treatment.

Compared to traditional replacement options, dental implant restorations retain much more of your original bite power. They also tend to be more durable, making it easy to chew tough meats, crunchy vegetables, and more!

With dental implants filling the gaps in your dental line up, you’ll be able to press your tongue against the back of your teeth. In English, this oral movement is necessary for “s,” “th,” and “z” sounds.

Your implant dentist in Heber City will fully customize your restoration. A full, seamless smile will help you feel empowered in social situations!

Health Benefits

Man smiling while out on the town

Dental implants have many health benefits. Two of the most notable ones are preventing dental drift and preserving the jawbone.

When there are gaps in your grin, nearby pearly whites will start to shift out of place in order to compensate for how chewing pressure is distributed. This can cause bite issues, jaw pain, and other such problems. When you replace your missing teeth with dental implants, though, your natural teeth won’t drift.

The dental roots attached to natural teeth are responsible for transferring important stimulation to the jawbone. This basically helps the bone get the nutrients it needs in order to maintain itself. Unless you replace the root, your jawbone will start to deteriorate. To date, dental implants are the only restorations that can replace tooth roots and preserve the jawbone.

Long-Term Benefits

Couple embracing on green background

Over time, you might start to notice that those who have traditional tooth replacements need adjustments and repairs more frequently than you do. This is because dental implant restorations help preserve the shape of your oral structure and are generally able to handle more wear and tear. With proper care, you can expect your dental implants to last for a lifetime!