Dental Implants Santa Fe

The Premier Tooth Replacement Solution

Dental patient pointing to her smile with dental implants in Santa Fe

Tooth loss comes with several negative consequences: impaired speech and trouble eating are two issues that come to mind for most people, but did you know that your jawbone can also begin to deteriorate if you’re missing teeth, and your remaining pearly whites are also at risk of falling out? This means that ideally, your replacement should address these issues, and Dr. Zhang is proud to offer one that does: dental implants in Santa Fe. Here’s more about this premier tooth replacement solution!

Why Choose Juniper Dental for Dental Implants?

  • Entire Process Completed In-House
  • Advanced Technology for Precise Care
  • All-on-4 Implants Available

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are small rods made from biocompatible materials like titanium that are used to replace missing teeth. They’re surgically placed beneath the gumline into the jawbone itself, where they fuse with it through a process called osseointegration. Then, realistic replacement teeth can be attached that function and look just like the original ones. To put it simply, dental implants are unrivaled when it comes to restoring lost teeth, as they provide numerous unique and incredible oral health benefits.

The 4-Step Dental Implant Process

Illustrated dental crown being fitted onto a dental implant

Dental implants are the best tooth replacement option out there. Thanks to their ability to replace the roots of the missing teeth, they allow for a wide range of additional benefits that you can’t find elsewhere. To achieve this, getting dental implants requires a multi-step process that takes place over the course of several months. Everyone’s treatment looks a little bit different, but here are the four main steps that everyone can expect.

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

Woman at a consultation

The first step of the process involves meeting with Dr. Zhang for a consultation. He’ll examine your mouth, take X-rays of your jaw, and evaluate your oral health to determine if implants are a suitable option. Some patients require preliminary procedures, like gum disease treatment or bone grafting before they are able to get implants. If any of these apply to you, we will help you get them scheduled. Once your gums and jawbone are in ideal shape, we can move forward with the rest of your treatment process.

Dental Implant Surgery

Patient undergoing dental implant surgery

Dr. Zhang and his team can complete the dental implant placement surgery in-house, meaning you won’t have to coordinate with other teams to receive care. After numbing your mouth with a local anesthetic, and incision is made into the gums so the dental implants can be placed at strategic angles in the jawbone. Then, the gums are closed and protective caps are placed over the ends of the dental implants to keep them safe throughout the healing process.

Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment

Closeup of a dental implant

Your mouth will need a few months to heal as the implant rods fuse with your jaw. This process is called “osseointegration.” It is what allows for your replacement teeth to be so stable. Afterward, we can attach small connector pieces, called abutments, to the implant posts. These will eventually host your restoration(s).

Delivery of Dental Implant Restoration(s)

Woman smiling in the dental chair

When they are ready, we’ll call you back to attach custom-made restorations to your implants; these will look, feel, and function just like your natural teeth! If everything looks and feels great, you will be free to show off your new, complete smile to the world!

Benefits of Dental Implants

Dentist holding a model of a dental implant

Dental implants come with numerous benefits that other restorative options simply can’t offer! Here are just a few:

  • They provide stimulation to the jawbone and prevent bone resorption by functioning as tooth roots.
  • They restore a significant amount (up to 80%) of a patient’s original bite force.
  • They can last for decades under healthy circumstances.
  • They don’t require anything special when it comes to cleaning and maintenance.
  • They can replace any number of missing teeth.