If you are missing teeth, have teeth that can’t be fixed, or are dealing with loose or poorly fitting dentures, we can help! Dr. Bowen, your dentist at Canyon Dental in Orem, Utah, has extensive training in dental implant surgery, dental implant restoration, and IV sedation, which means we can take care of you and all of your dental implant needs!
Dental implants are one of the best and most successful treatments to replace one or multiple missing teeth. Studies show that the success rate at ten years of implants is between 90-95%, meaning that when you have an implant, you can expect it to look, function, and feel like a natural tooth for year to come! Implants can be used to replace a single tooth, to replace multiple teeth, as attachments for a bridge, or to stabilize a denture.
A dental implant is made of titanium, the same material that is used for replacing shoulders, hips, or knees. The implant also has a special surface coating that encourages the cells in the jawbone to accept the implant, heal, and promote integration into your jawbone.
Many factors go into the success of a dental implant. The first factor is the amount and the quality of jawbone that you have to accommodate an implant. The more bone and the denser the bone you have, the more successful your implant will be. If you are lacking bone, Dr. Bowen can perform various bone grafting techniques to ensure you will have enough bone when we place your implant. It may take additional appointments if you are in need of bone grafting, but we can to be sure that we do everything to prepare an optimal site for your implant.
If you have a tooth that needs to be extracted and replaced with an implant, the standard of care is the place a bone graft into your extraction socket at your extraction appointment. This is minimally invasive and tremendously increases the quantity and quality of bone for your implant. After a tooth is removed, we will wait anywhere from 3-6 months to place your implant. This waiting period allows your body to accept the bone graft, integrate, and ensure adequate healing prior to placing your implant. Think of it like a broken arm. If you have ever broken your arm, you are in a cast for 6-12 weeks. This permits your body to heal, remodel, and repair the broken bone. It’s a similar healing process with an extraction site.
If you are considering dental implants, we will schedule you a consultation so that we can evaluate all of the different factors that contribute to the success of your implant. At that consultation, we will take x-rays that show to position of your bone, sinus, nerves, and any other vital structures related to your implant. Dr. Bowen will discuss your options and tailor a treatment plan to meet your individual needs. If you would like IV sedation, please let us know so that we can make proper arrangements for you.
At your appointment for your implants, you will be numbed using topical numbing gel and local anesthetic. A small incision is made over the site where the implant will be placed. A small hole is made in the jawbone to accommodate the implant. During the procedure, several x-rays will be taken to ensure the implant is in the correct position. After the implant is in place, the site will be sutured with stitches that will dissolve on their own in 5-7 days. A follow-up appointment to ensure proper healing will be schedule approximately 3 weeks following your appointment.
Dental implants take between 2-6 months to heal and integrate properly. The time depends on the quality of the jawbone, patient compliance, and your immune response following your implant surgery. After the healing period, you will be ready to have an abutment (a connecter between the implant and crown) and a crown made to fit your implant.
Ready to schedule your implant consultation? Call us at (801) 224-6051 or click here.