If you’re missing one or more teeth, dental implants offer a strong, reliable solution that looks and feels like your natural smile. At Roots Dental in Meridian, ID, Dr. Bill Frei and Dr. Stephen Thomas are proud to provide dental implant treatment with the compassion and care that define their practice philosophy.
Dental implants are small titanium posts surgically anchored into your jawbone, acting as stable foundations for crowns, bridges, or dentures. Unlike removable options, dental implants help preserve jawbone strength, allowing you to eat, speak, and smile with confidence. Every treatment is tailored to your unique health needs, lifestyle, and comfort level.
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Why Should I Get Dental Implants?
Choosing dental implants can significantly improve your quality of life. Beyond restoring your smile, they prevent bone loss that naturally follows tooth loss. Unlike dentures, which may shift or need adhesives, implants remain secure and functional as if they were your own teeth.
At Roots Dental, we combine advanced imaging technologies and a comfort-focused environment to make the process as stress-free as possible, even for patients who feel anxious about dental visits. Together, Dr. Frei and Dr. Thomas bring decades of experience, including military and mission-based service, to ensure your procedure is safe, precise, and personalized.
Did you know…
Dental implants can last 30+ years with proper care and routine checkups.
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The Benefits Of Dental Implants
Restores Smile Function & Confidence
Dental implants don’t only fill the gap of a missing tooth. They also restore your ability to chew, speak clearly, and smile without hesitation. By blending seamlessly with your natural teeth, they help you regain the confidence to enjoy social moments again.
Protects Jawbone and Facial Structure
Tooth loss leads to jawbone deterioration over time. Implants stimulate and preserve the jawbone just like natural tooth roots, maintaining your facial structure and preventing the sunken appearance that can come with missing teeth.
No Slipping or Daily Removal
Dental implants are fixed in place, allowing you to wake up, eat, and go about your day without the concern of a denture slipping or needing removal and adhesive. They feel secure and natural from the first bite to the last smile of the day.
The Dental Implants Treatment Process
Initial Consultation & Digital Planning
Your journey begins with a warm welcome at Roots Dental in Meridian, ID. During your comprehensive consultation, Dr. Frei or Dr. Thomas will assess your oral health, take advanced 3D images, and discuss your goals and concerns. If you’re a good candidate for dental implants, we’ll design a personalized treatment plan that considers your comfort, budget, and timeline. For uninsured patients, our in-house membership plans help make care more accessible and affordable.
Implant Placement Surgery
Using gentle techniques and modern dental technology, your dentist will place the implant post into your jawbone with precision and care. Our relaxing office environment is designed to ease anxiety, and we offer various comfort options to help you feel at ease throughout the procedure. As the bone fuses with the implant over time, this creates a long-lasting, stable foundation for your new tooth.
Restoration & Smile Reveal
After the healing period (typically 3-6 months, depending on your individual case), you’ll return to Roots Dental to have a custom-made crown, bridge, or denture attached to one or more dental implants. This final restoration is crafted to match your natural tooth color and shape, ensuring a beautiful, functional result. You’ll leave our office with a complete smile that looks natural and feels strong, ready to take on each day with newfound confidence.
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Before & Afters
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a single tooth implant?
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Single-tooth dental implants are the most frequently used dental implant and consist of three parts: the dental implant, the abutment, and the dental crown. The dental implant is a titanium rod with a screw-like shape that is placed into the jawbone. The abutment, which is a connector piece, attaches the dental implant to the dental crown. The dental crown, also known as the restoration, reinstates the shape, function, and appearance of your natural tooth. Unlike a partial denture, single-tooth implants are extremely durable and never move or shift.
How are dental implants made?
Titanium dental implants are manufactured in reputable laboratories that offer a wide range of standard post sizes. However, the restoration is a personalized prosthetic. This ensures that each patient receives a result that meets their specific needs and aesthetic desires. Your dentist may either create your restoration in-office using a milling machine or send detailed impressions to a collaborating laboratory.
The laboratory will then create a robust and long-lasting restoration, tailored to your individual needs. Most crowns are made from durable porcelain, which closely resembles tooth enamel in appearance. Once the crown is completed, the laboratory will ship it back to the office and the dentist will finish the procedure by firmly attaching the implant crown in place.
How long will my dental implant last?
When dental implants are placed by an expert and properly maintained through good at-home hygiene and regular checkups, dental implants can last for 30 years or even the rest of your life.
The restoration, on the other hand, may eventually need to be replaced. This is no different than a traditional crown or denture, as the restoration experiences regular wear and tear from chewing and biting. Regular visits to the dentist will allow you to monitor the state of your restoration and the health of your implant, so you can maximize the longevity of your smile.
Can my dental implant become infected?
It is possible for dental implants to become infected, resulting in a condition known as “peri-implantitis.” However, this complication is extremely rare, and generally only occurs when the implant is not cared for properly after the placement surgery.
As long as you follow your doctor’s post-op instructions, your chances of developing an infection are very low.
Do dental implants stop bone loss?
Yes, and they are the only tooth replacement to do so. When you lose a tooth, your jaw is no longer being stimulated by the forces of chewing and biting. The jaw bone will begin to deteriorate, which weakens the jaw and can cause the surrounding teeth to shift or become loose.
Dental implants mimic the form and function of natural tooth roots, and are placed directly into the jaw bone. Because of this, chewing and biting forces stimulate the jaw bone just like natural teeth, which stops bone resorption from occurring in the first place.
Can I get an implant in one day?
Every implant case is different, but some patients may be able to receive an implant in a single visit. If this is a possibility for you, you’ll receive a temporary restoration to protect the implant while it heals, a process which usually takes between 3-6 months. You’ll be able to speak and eat normally in-between follow-up appointments.
Your doctor will monitor your healing progress and take impressions or digital scans of your teeth, which will be used to craft your final restoration. During your implant consultation we will help you decide what type of tooth replacement is best for you and your unique oral health needs.
When Are Dental Implants Not an Option?
While dental implants are a popular and effective solution for replacing missing teeth, they may not be suitable for everyone. Certain conditions and factors may mean that dental implants are not an option for you.
For instance, children and teenagers may not be candidates for dental implants because their facial bones are still growing. Additionally, if you have severe gum disease, uncontrolled diabetes, or other conditions that affect your body's ability to heal, dental implants may not be recommended.
Plus, insufficient bone in the jaw to support an implant can also be a limiting factor. However, procedures such as bone grafting can sometimes be performed to build up the jawbone and make implants a viable option.
At Roots Dental, we will conduct a thorough examination and discuss your medical history to determine whether dental implants or another treatment would be most suitable for your dental health needs.
How Painful Is Getting a Dental Implant?
The thought of dental surgery can understandably make some people nervous. However, you'll be glad to know that getting a dental implant at Roots Dental is typically no more painful than a routine dental extraction. Dr. Bill Frei and Dr. Stephen Thomas, who are highly experienced in the field of dental implants, ensure that their patients in Meridian, ID are as comfortable as possible throughout the procedure.
Local anesthesia is used to numb the area where the implant will be placed, so you will not feel any pain during the surgery. After the procedure, any discomfort or mild soreness can be managed effectively with over-the-counter pain relievers or prescribed medications. It's also important to note that the discomfort usually subsides within a few days.
How Many Implants Can You Get at Once?
The number of dental implants you can get at once largely depends on your individual dental health, the quality and volume of your jawbone, and the specific treatment plan designed by Dr. Frei or Dr. Thomas.
In some cases, if you are missing several teeth in a row, you may be a candidate for an implant-supported bridge, which uses fewer implants to support more replacement teeth. Alternatively, if you are missing all of your teeth, you might be a candidate for full mouth dental implants, which can replace all of your teeth with as few as four implants per jaw.
It's essential to have an in-depth consultation at Roots Dental to determine the most suitable treatment plan for your specific needs and circumstances.
What Are the Best Teeth Implants to Get?
The best dental implants for you depend on various factors, including your overall oral health, the number of teeth you need to replace, and your personal preferences.
At Roots Dental, we primarily use titanium implants. Titanium is a metal that is strong, light, and biocompatible, meaning it's not likely to cause an allergic reaction. Titanium implants have a high success rate and can last for many years, or even a lifetime, with proper care. Dr. Frei and Dr. Thomas will discuss the best options for you during your consultation.
