Rediscover a Self-Confident Smile with Dental Implants in St. George, UT

Do you have missing teeth in your smile that keep you from expressing your happiness, laughing, or even speaking in public? Dental implants in St. George, UT may be the most viable option to fill in those gaps and help give you back your self-confidence. At the Dental Center of St. George, we offer dental implants so patients can rediscover what their full smile should look like.

What Are Dental Implants?

In the simplest terms, a dental implant is an artificially created replacement root to support a prosthetic tooth or bridge of teeth. The implant is placed into the jaw bone just like the root of a natural tooth, which means the end result is potentially a life-long tooth replacement solution.

Once a dental implant is surgically placed, the upper post of the piece can be outfitted with either a crown or a bridge to fill in gaps in your smile. While single-tooth implants are most common, some patients opt to have multiple implants to replace several missing teeth or to even support a fully new set of dentures or bridges that restore a full smile.

Types of Dental Implants

There are two primary types of dental implants: endosteal and subperiosteal. Endosteal implants are the most common modern option, as these implants are placed directly into the jaw bone. However, subperiosteal implants are common for simpler implant placement that involves resting the base on the bone. These implants are commonly used for patients who opt for implant-supported dentures.

An Up-Close Look at the Dental Implants Procedure

Getting a dental implant is a little more of a process than some other general dentistry procedures. The implant placement is a surgical procedure, and the recovery phase can be an important step that takes some time. While every patient’s situation is unique, a few steps in the process of getting dental implants can look something like this:

1. You undergo an initial consultation to discuss your medical history and options
2. The dentist does a thorough assessment of your oral cavity, including x-rays to examine the underlying jaw structures
3. Surgery for implant placement is scheduled
4. You go through a recovery period while the new implant heals
5. You go in to be fitted for crowns or bridges to complete the process

Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

The dentist will work with you to determine if you are a good candidate for a dental implant procedure. Not every patient makes a good candidate due to health concerns, but most do. Some of the reasons that you may not be a good candidate for dental implants are:

• You have an illness or disease that impedes proper healing
• You are at a high risk of developing an infection
• You have a history of dental implant failure

Dental implants also require a patient to have adequate bone available in their jaw to anchor the implant during the procedure. In some cases, a bone graft may be recommended to create more bone height or availability.

Work with a Skilled St. George Dentist for a Brand-New Smile

For the right patient, dental implants can be a life-changing solution to problems with missing teeth. If you would like to know more about dental implants, please reach out to us to schedule an appointment. Dr. Heaton and the team will make sure you rediscover confidence in your smile.