Restorative Care
Dental Implants in Mapleton, UT
A dental implant replaces a missing tooth from the root up. Once healed, it looks, feels, and works like your natural tooth. Our doctors plan every implant carefully so the result lasts.
Dental implants are titanium posts we place into the jawbone where a tooth’s root used to be. Over three to six months, the bone grows around the implant, making it as stable as a natural tooth root. We then attach a custom crown, bridge, or denture on top.
Implants stay put when you eat, don’t decay, and look like they grew there. They also protect the surrounding bone from shrinking, which happens when a missing tooth is left as an empty gap.
What Dental Implant Treatment Actually Involves
Implant treatment is phased over a few months because the bone needs time to grow around the post. The full process has six stages: consultation and planning, extraction (if the tooth is still there), bone graft (only if needed), implant placement, healing, and final crown.
Most patients say the placement itself felt easier than they expected. Local anesthesia keeps you comfortable during the surgery, and most people go back to work the next day. Long term, implants are cared for the same way as natural teeth: regular brushing, flossing, and checkups.
Why We Handle Implants In-House at Mapleton Family Dentistry
We plan every implant with digital imaging before placement. That means the post goes exactly where the bone is strongest and the final tooth will look right. Careful planning is why implants last.
Dr. Thueson’s advanced training in periodontics matters here too. Healthy gums and bone are the foundation of a lasting implant, and if you have any history of gum disease, we treat that first. This is often the missing step at practices that don’t have periodontal expertise on staff.
Most implant cases we handle here in the office — from consultation through the final crown. Same office, same team every visit. When a case does need an oral surgeon, we coordinate the referral and stay involved.
Our Approach to Every Implant Case
An implant is a big decision. Here’s how we make sure it’s the right one for you.
Consultation First
3D imaging, a look at your bite, and an honest conversation about whether an implant is your best option.
Foundation First
If your gums or bone need work first, we treat that before we place the implant.
Digitally Planned
The implant position is planned digitally so placement is precise and predictable.
Comfort All the Way
Local anesthesia during placement, with sedation options if you’re anxious.
Long-Term Follow-Up
Regular checkups so the implant, crown, and surrounding gums stay healthy for decades.
Dental Implant Frequently Asked Questions
The procedure is done under local anesthesia, so you shouldn’t feel pain during placement. Most patients feel pressure and hear the tools but not sharp pain. Afterward, some soreness for a few days is normal and handled with over-the-counter pain relievers. If you’re anxious, we offer sedation options.
Placement itself is one appointment. The bone needs 3 to 6 months to grow around the implant before we place the final crown, so the full process typically spans 4 to 8 months. If a bone graft is needed first, add another 3 to 6 months. We’ll give you a realistic timeline at your consultation.
With good home care and regular checkups, dental implants can last a lifetime. The crown on top may need replacement after 15 or 20 years, but the titanium post that lives in your jawbone is designed to be permanent.
A bone graft can build up the site so an implant becomes possible. It’s a common step and usually straightforward. We’ll know at the consultation whether it’s needed and walk through what it involves.
Most PPO plans cover a portion of implant treatment, but coverage varies a lot by plan. We work with most PPO plans and will review your specific coverage with you at the consultation so you know your investment before treatment starts. Treatment can be phased across multiple visits to spread the cost over time.
Replace that missing tooth the right way.
The consultation is the right first step. We’ll look, take a 3D image if needed, and tell you honestly whether an implant is your best option.
Have a question first?
We’re here when you’re ready.