Dental Implants – Salt Lake City, UT
Laying the Roots for a New Smile
When you look in the mirror, do you feel insecure about your appearance because there are gaps in your smile? Do you find it difficult to chew many foods while also struggling to speak clearly due to tooth loss? If so, you may feel isolated, but it is actually a common problem. In fact, the American College of Prosthodontics estimates that more than 178 million adults in the U.S. are missing at least one tooth, while another 35 million do not have any remaining natural teeth. To regain a complete smile, you know that there are many options available, like a fixed bridge or dentures, but they just do not seem like the right choice. Now, you can restore your confidence and quality of life with a solution that looks and functions naturally. Contact us today to learn how dental implants in Salt Lake City, UT can complete your smile!
Why Choose Sugar House Smiles for Dental Implants?
- Dental Implant Process Completed Under 1 Roof
- Fellow of the American Dental Implant Association
- Computer-Guided Dental Implant Surgery
What are Dental Implants?
A dental implant in Sugar House is essentially an artificial tooth root. The doctor surgically places this titanium post beneath your gums and into your jawbone. Because titanium is biocompatible, it actually bonds with the surrounding tissue and bone in a process known as osseointegration. This process gives dental implants the sturdy foundation they need to reliably support a dental crown, bridge, or denture via a metal abutment fixture. Basically, dental implants recreate every part of a lost tooth, which is what makes them so successful.
The 4-Step Dental Implant Process
Many dentists have to refer their patients to specialists for dental implants in Salt Lake City. However, Dr. Teeple and Dr. Walker can place and restore dental implants at the same convenient location where you get all of your other dental work done. He has the training and technology to place implants with an incredibly high success rate, restoring them with custom-made crowns, bridges, and dentures. This allows you to receive convenient and consistent dental implant treatment from start to finish. Learn more about the dental implant process ahead of your next consultation on our website or give us a call to get scheduled!
Initial Consultation
At your initial consultation, our dental office will perform a detailed exam of your mouth and confirm the number of missing teeth you have. We’ll also capture X-rays to better understand the current condition of your bone tissue as well as make sure no other underlying problems are present. For example, if we notice gum disease or tooth decay, these issues will need to be handled before any surgery can be performed. If we determine you are eligible to receive dental implants, we’ll start making plans for your implant placement. This surgery will occur at a later date and give you time to prepare.
Dental Implant Surgery
On the day of your surgery, Dr. Teeple and Dr. Walker will explain each step of the treatment in advance so you know exactly what to expect before they begin . After administering a local anesthetic to fully numb your mouth, They’llcreate small incisions in your gum tissue, then small holes inside your bone tissue where the implant will be housed. Once the implant is placed, they’ll stitch the gum tissue closed and ask you to bite down onto a gauze pad to control any bleeding. From there, our team will provide you with aftercare steps to take at home as well as any prescription medications.
Osseointegration & Abutment Placement
Over time, the dental implant will slowly fuse with your existing jawbone through a process known as osseointegration. The implant is made from titanium, which is biocompatible. This means it can integrate with the mouth’s organic structures without worry of it being rejected. This healing process takes about 4 to 6 months to complete. When the implant is finished healing, you’ll come back to Dr. Teeple and Dr. Walker to have the abutment placed. This is a small metal connector designed to keep the permanent restoration stable over the next several decades.
Delivery of Final Restoration
After a few more weeks of the gum tissue healing around the newly placed abutment, you’ll come back to our dental office for one final appointment to have the implant placed. Depending on the number of implants you had attached, your restoration could be either an implant crown, bridge, or denture. No matter what restoration you need, you can expect it to be incredibly natural and lifelike thanks to the ceramic materials we utilize to create it. Only you and our dental office will know that you had teeth replaced, making it easy for you to smile and enjoy your favorite foods with confidence.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Patients worldwide are increasingly choosing dental implants over other tooth replacement options. In fact, more than 500,000 people receive dental implants each year. Because of their surgical placement in the jawbone, there are countless benefits of dental implants in Salt Lake City compared to traditional dental bridges and dentures. Keep reading below to learn about some of the ways that dental implants can change your life!
Day-to-Day Benefits
Natural look and feel – By bringing back missing tooth roots, dental implants are the only truly comprehensive tooth replacement. As a result, they look and feel exactly like the teeth Mother Nature gave you. No one besides you and your implant dentist near Sugar House should even be able to tell that you lost any teeth at all!
- Renewed confidence – Missing teeth and unreliable dentures often make it hard to feel proud of your smile. Dental implants mimic the size, shape, and position of your original teeth, letting you grin, speak, and eat with complete confidence.
- Improved diet – Dentures are notorious for limiting the types of food you can eat. In contrast, dental implants allow you to chew with the full force you had before tooth loss. Not only can you enjoy your favorite meals, but it’s easier to maintain a healthy, balanced diet.
Health Benefits
Long-Term Benefits
- Longevity – As long as you brush and floss daily and visit our dental office regularly for checkups, your dental implants can last for 30+ years. They might even last a lifetime!
- Reliability – When placed by a trained professional like Dr. Teeple and Dr. Walker, dental implants have an extremely high success rate. Even after more than a decade, dental implants are successful in over 95% of cases.
- Cost-effective treatment – Although dental implants have a higher up-front price tag than dentures and bridges, they’re actually the smarter financial decision in the long run. Traditional solutions end up compounding their initial lower cost because they have to be replaced every five to ten years. Plus, they require special maintenance products. With dental implants, all you have to do is make a one-time payment and buy the same oral hygiene tools you’ve been using with your natural teeth. Coupled with all of the other benefits they offer, dental implants are truly the best tooth replacement option available!
Who Dental Implants Can Help
Dental implants are able to help people in a variety of tooth loss situations regain their confidence and the function of their smile. Whether you’re missing a single tooth, several teeth, or an entire row, this procedure can be created to fit your unique needs. Our team will customize your treatment plan and walk you through it, helping you understand exactly how the process will work.
Who is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
Not everybody is a good candidate for dental implants right away. Some patients require preparatory procedures before their treatment can begin to ensure that the implants will be able to fuse with their jawbone, like a bone graft or gum disease therapy. Others may need to have existing medical conditions that can affect the immune system, like diabetes, treated before undergoing the surgery. Even though this may be the case for you, our team will thoroughly plan the entire process, from start to finish to ensure long-lasting, reliable results.
Some traits that we like our candidates to have before moving forward with their surgery include:
- Good gum health
- Dense enough jawbone
- Realistic expectations of the procedure
- Existing medical conditions being treated
- Are missing one or more teeth
We’ll examine your mouth during the initial consultation and help you determine whether dental implants are right for you based on your needs. This appointment will also be a great time for you to ask us any questions or voice any concerns you may have about the treatment.
Missing One Tooth
A single dental implant is used to replace the root and crown of the missing tooth. The post is precisely placed into the jawbone while the crown is made to meet your color, size, and shape specifications to blend in seamlessly with your remaining natural teeth.
Missing Multiple Teeth
If you are missing multiple teeth in a row, you can fill the space with an implant-supported dental bridge or partial. The prosthetic teeth are held in place using one or two implant posts, so each tooth does not need to be replaced individually.
Missing All Teeth
Complete tooth loss can be treated with implant dentures. A custom-made arch that features a metal frame is developed, which is held in place using an average of four to six dental implant posts. You do not have to worry about messy adhesives or any slipping. They will function and feel natural. In fact, when compared to traditional dentures, they have an increased biting force of 70%.
Understanding the Cost of Dental Implants
There isn’t a set fee for dental implants because the cost is based on various factors, like the severity of your tooth loss and if you need any additional procedures. Although you will initially pay more for dental implants, they are more affordable long-term because they can last for decades. We’ll explain the fees associated with your treatment and discuss your payment options. We will help you find the solutions you need to rebuild your smile without breaking the bank.
Types of Dental Implants
There isn’t a pre-determined rate for dental implants because there are various factors influencing the cost, such as the number of teeth you’re replacing, the materials used, and your dental coverage. After your examination, we will provide you with an estimate and discuss the costs associated with your treatment, as well as your payment options.
What Are the Stages of Dental Implant Treatment?
There are various steps in your treatment plan, each with separate costs. This can make it easier to pay for your new smile because you won’t need to cover the entire balance upfront. Although every plan differs, here’s what you can expect to pay for:
- Initial Consultation: You’ll need an examination and a CT scan to assess your oral health to ensure you’re a candidate for dental implants.
- Additional Procedures: Often, patients need additional procedures before their placement surgery, like periodontal therapy, bone grafting, or tooth extractions.
- Placement Surgery: Sedation or anesthesia is used to ensure your comfort while a titanium implant post is surgically placed into your jawbone.
- Abutments: Each post needs a special fixture called an abutment, which is a connector piece between the implant and restoration.
- Restoration: All-ceramic material is used to recreate the teeth you’ve lost.
Are Dental Implants Worth the Investment?
Dental implants are more expensive upfront, but they are more affordable long-term because they are proven to last for decades with the right aftercare. You’ll never need to worry about paying to have them replaced. Not to mention, you’ll also improve your oral health to reduce your overall dental expenses.
Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?
Although every policy differs, most plans cover a portion of the cost of dental implants until reaching your annual limit. We will work on your behalf to file the necessary forms to reduce the amount you need to pay. If you owe a remaining balance, we will explain your payment options, like using third-party financing with CareCredit.
Dental Implant Frequently Asked Questions
Our team looks forward to answering all of your questions when it comes to tooth replacement, including any revolving around dental implants from our Sugar House dentist. Over the years, we’ve heard many questions ranging from a wide array of topics surrounding this revolutionary procedure. We look forward to helping you stay informed every step of the way and giving you the confidence that you need to pursue treatment. If your question is not listed, please call our dental office directly!
How do I make my dental implants last?
While dental implants can last several decades and even the rest of your lifetime, that doesn’t mean you don’t have to take care of them. The good news is with regular brushing and flossing and routine dental appointments with Dr. Teeple and Dr. Walker, you can ensure that your dental implant(s) last for a very long time. In the beginning stages of placement (when the gum tissue is healing), it’s very important that you follow all aftercare instructions provided by our dental office. This will ensure that your implant remains healthy inside the jaw. Pay close attention to brushing the area underneath the implant as well since food particles can get stuck underneath and cause problems.
Can my implant denture be removable?
Yes! Your dental implants are fully personalized to you, so if you’d prefer to have a denture that is removable and attaches to your dental implant, Dr. Teeple and Dr. Walker can make that happen. Just like a traditional denture, they’ll take the detailed shape of your mouth into account when creating your final restoration. We’ll work with you to ensure that your final implant-retained denture feels comfortable and meets your personal preferences. Of course, the implants that the denture attach to are not removable, so keep this in mind.
How do I become eligible for dental implants?
Most patients are eligible for dental implants even if they have been missing teeth for a long time. With that said, you’ll need to have good oral health, which means no cavities or gum disease should be present prior to your treatment. It also means you should have sufficient bone volume for all the implants you need to have placed. We also strongly advise against the use of tobacco products prior to and after dental implant placement.
Will I need a bone graft before getting dental implants?
While dental implants are increasingly available to patients of all different dental health histories, there are some instances where bone grafting is necessary to ensure the implant has a stable foundation to integrate following its placement. During your consultation and detailed exam, we’ll confirm the current condition of your jawbone tissue and what needs to be done prior to implant placement. This could include bone grafting, which involves rebuilding the jaw by taking healthy bone material (either from another part of the body or from a donor) and adhering it to your jaw so it can heal and integrate.
Is the dental implant procedure safe?
When performed by a professional like Dr. Walker, who has been placing and restoring dental implants for many, many years, dental implant procedures are incredibly safe to complete. In fact, their success rates typically fall between 95 and 98 percent. Just make sure to follow our aftercare instructions and you’ll be smiling and eating the foods you enjoy in no time!
