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
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
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
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
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!
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
Dental implants can be life-changing for patients who want a stronger, more confident smile. Their cost reflects the stability, aesthetics, and long-term function they provide—often improving quality of life in ways other tooth replacements can’t. At our Heber City office, we believe this level of care should be accessible to everyone. That’s why we’re always up-front about pricing and will walk you through every option you have for managing the cost of treatment. Read more below to learn about the cost of dental implants and how we can help you make them more affordable.
Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery
Not everyone is an ideal candidate for dental implants right away. If you need preliminary procedures, like bone grafting, gum disease treatment, or tooth extractions, they can increase your overall expenses. However, these preparatory measures are often necessary for long-term success.
We also complete the entire dental implant process in-house, which eliminates the need to visit outside specialists. This alone can save you potentially hundreds—if not thousands—of dollars as well as the time and stress associated with travel.
The Parts of Your Dental Implant
The design of your dental implant is also a large determining factor for the final cost of your restoration. Several things can influence what you pay, including:
- Number of Dental Implants: Replacing one tooth versus several dramatically changes costs.
- Type of Restoration: Crowns, bridges, or dentures each carry different price ranges.
- Size of the Implant: Larger or specialized implants can increase the materials used, causing the cost to fluctuate.
- Brand of Hardware: Like cars or shoes, implant brands vary in quality, durability, and price.
How Dental Implants Pay for Themselves
It’s tempting to choose the cheapest tooth replacement option, but many alternatives don’t last long and may require frequent repairs or replacements. Dental implants, on the other hand, are a permanent fixture in your mouth once healed.
In fact, with proper care, they can last for decades or even a lifetime. This means that patients can expect to enjoy their benefits for a very long time, ensuring they continue to be cost-effective.
Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
Dental insurance doesn’t typically cover implants, but there are exceptions. We have years of experience helping patients maximize their benefits, so our team will review your plan in detail and help reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.
In some cases, some portions of your treatment may be covered. For example, preliminary procedures or a percentage of your final restoration could qualify as medically necessary expenses. We’ll make sure you understand exactly what your plan will contribute before treatment begins.
Making Dental Implants Affordable
At TimberRidge Dental, we believe high-quality care should be accessible regardless of financial circumstances. That’s why we offer multiple flexible financing options, including CareCredit, the Prosper Program, and LendingClub. We also provide an in-house membership plan and run periodic special offers to help make the cost of dental implants manageable for every patient. If you’re ever concerned about the financial aspects of your treatment, give us a call or schedule a consultation. We can walk you through your options until you’re comfortable taking the first step to a restored smile.