Dental Implants – Orem, UT

A Sturdy, Long-Lasting Tooth Replacement Option

Woman in dental chair pointing to her smile with dental implants in Orem

There is more than one way to replace missing teeth, but nowadays many dentists and patients favor dental implants – and with good reason. While traditional bridges and dentures still have their benefits, dental implants in Orem have many unique features that make them the next best thing to getting your natural teeth back. If you are interested in having dental implants placed and are wondering whether you are a good candidate for the treatment, you can give Frandsen Dental of Orem a call today to schedule a dental implant consultation.

Why Choose Frandsen Dental of Orem for Dental Implants?

  • Dental Implants Placed In-Office
  • Advanced Technology for Precise Placement
  • Relaxing Sedation Options

What Are Dental Implants?

Dentist holding a model of a dental implant

A dental implant is a small post that looks like a screw and is normally made out of titanium. We can place an appropriate number of implants in your jaw so that they can support a crown, bridge, or denture, thus replacing your missing teeth from the roots up. If they are well cared for, dental implants can be relied on to last for decades or even entire lifetimes.

The 4-Step Dental Implant Process

dental assistant smiling while showing patient image on tablet

The process for getting dental implants can often be categorized into four crucial steps, each of which serves an important purpose. Here at Frandsen Dental of Orem, our team excels at placing dental implants and ensuring that your custom-made restoration looks and feels exactly as it should. With so much conscious effort going into your new smile, you’ll be glad you committed to this gold standard of tooth replacement! That said, here’s a brief look at the four main steps of the dental implant process.

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

a man during his dental implant consultation

Patients receiving dental implants begin their journey with a consultation. This appointment is crucial; it allows us to carefully examine your smile and the extent of your tooth loss so that we can determine whether dental implants are a suitable solution. This normally involves X-ray imaging too, for added thoroughness. Keep in mind that patients with inadequate jawbone density, which often occurs following tooth loss, might need to undergo a bone graft before they can safely receive implants. In other circumstances, patients with periodontal issues might need to undergo preliminary treatment to ensure their gum tissue is healthy enough to house the implants.

Dental Implant Surgery

a dental implant being held by a dentist

After you’ve been cleared to receive dental implants, we can schedule the procedure. You’ll be happy to hear that here at Frandsen Dental of Orem, we’re capable of completing the entire dental implant process in-house. This means you won’t have to worry about coordinating with other offices and scheduling several different appointments – we’ll handle everything! As for the surgery itself, it’s surprisingly straightforward. We’ll access your jawbone through your gum tissue and carefully place the implant(s) in precise location(s). It takes roughly one hour to place a single dental implant.

Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment

a dentist pointing toward a dental implant model

Osseointegration is perhaps the single most important part of the entire dental implant process. It refers to the fusion between the implant post(s) and your jawbone. This process normally takes anywhere from 4 to 6 months, but the exact timeline can vary depending on numerous factors, including your compliance with your recovery guidelines. However, assuming things heal up correctly, you’ll be able to return for a smaller surgery to receive your abutments. These metal connector pieces are placed on top of your implants, and they allow us to secure your personalized dental restoration.

Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s)

a dental implant patient showing off her smile

Dental implants can replace any number of missing teeth, no matter where they’re located within a patient’s mouth. This means that your replacement teeth will be designed for you and you alone, and they’ll look, feel, and function as closely as possible to your original teeth. When it’s time, we’ll be able to attach this restoration to your abutments, and you’ll be able to immediately begin enjoying all the perks of having a complete and healthy smile!

Benefits of Dental Implants

Senior man in dental chair admiring his new smile in a mirror

Did you know that an estimated 500,000 dental implants are placed every year? These restorations continue to grow in popularity because they’re unique. After all, they’re the only artificial teeth embedded directly into your jaw. Because of this, they provide many advantages over alternatives like dentures or dental bridges.

Continue reading to learn more about the benefits of dental implants, and feel free to contact our office for more information.

Day-to-Day Benefits

Man sitting at table by window eating lunch

Tooth loss can detract from your daily quality of life, impacting everything from your ability to converse clearly to sufficiently grinding your food. Thankfully, once your dental implants are placed, you can:

  • Chew more easily. These artificial teeth give you back 70% to 90% of your natural chewing power, compared to dentures that restore about 10%.
  • Enunciate sounds. Gaps in your grin can cause a lisp or other speech impediments that you can swiftly overcome once your prosthetic is in position.
  • Feel confident. Worrying about how others might perceive the changes in your appearance and abilities can leave you feeling self-conscious. With a dental implant, you’ll be able to look and feel like your best self.

Health Benefits

Woman in white tank top with curly brown hair brushing her teeth in front of a mirror

It’s easy to see how dental implants can enhance your looks, but that’s not all they do. They also improve your dental and general health because they:

  • Prevent bone loss. Your jawbone starts to thin after tooth loss because there’s no root to stimulate new bone growth when you bite down. The titanium rod of your restoration keeps your jaw active and strong.
  • Block dental drifting. Your teeth might shift out of alignment to fill in the spaces left behind by those that went missing, which wears down your enamel prematurely. Dental implants ensure that they stay in their rightful positions.
  • Are easy to clean. Brushing and flossing twice daily, along with a dental checkup every 6 months, is all you need to keep your prosthetics in good shape.

Long-Term Benefits

Old-fashioned alarm clock on a white tray with dental instruments in exam room

These artificial teeth are incredibly resilient and can potentially be with you for the remainder of your natural life. That means you can continue to enjoy the following long-term advantages for years to come:

  • High success. This procedure has a staggeringly high 95% success rate, even up to 10 years after the initial surgery.
  • Durability. The titanium and ceramic materials used to create your implant are intended to withstand the tests of time.
  • Save expenditures. Because they’re stronger and more reliable than dentures or dental bridges, you’re less likely to need to pay for costly repairs or replacements down the road.