Dental Implants Santa Fe
The Premier Tooth Replacement Solution
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
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
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
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
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)
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
It’s not hard to see why dentists and patients alike often see dental implants as the best modern option for replacing missing teeth. No matter if you’ve only lost one tooth or an entire arch of teeth, there are all kinds of benefits to filling in the empty space in your smile with the help of sturdy implant posts. Keep reading for a brief overview of some of the most notable reasons why dental implants in Santa Fe can be worth the investment.
Day-to-Day Benefits
Missing teeth can affect your ability to get the most out of life, but replacing them with dental implants will allow you to enjoy the following day-to-day benefits.
- You Can Eat All of Your Favorite Foods Again: Dental implants don’t come with any major diet restrictions because they offer chewing power that almost matches that of natural teeth. You’ll be able to eat virtually any kind of food without issue.
- You’ll Have an Easier Time Speaking Clearly: A traditional denture can cause you to slur your words if it happens to slip out of place while you’re talking. In contrast, dental implants keep your replacement teeth secured in place at all times, which makes it easier to speak clearly no matter the situation.
- You Can Maintain a Similar Oral Hygiene Routine: Dental implants can be brushed and flossed much like natural teeth. This makes them relatively easy to take care of.
- You Can Feel More Confident in Social Situations: The prosthesis attached to your dental implant will be made out of materials that closely mimic the appearance of natural teeth. This will leave you with a lifelike new smile that you can show off with full confidence when interacting with others.
Health Benefits
Dental implants don’t just improve the way your smile looks. They also come with important health advantages:
- They Help Prevent Bone Loss in the Jaw: Like your natural tooth roots, dental implants can stimulate the jawbone whenever you bite or chew. This stimulation is essential for preventing bone loss.
- They Help Prevent Dental Drift: An incomplete smile can often lead to the remaining teeth drifting out of alignment. However, you won’t have to worry about this happening if the empty space is filled in with a dental implant.
- They Make It Easier to Maintain Good Nutrition: Thanks to dental implants, you shouldn’t have any trouble eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, and other foods that can go a long way toward helping you maintain good nutrition.
Long-Term Benefits
Not only can dental implants improve your everyday life in the short term, but they also have plenty of long-term benefits that are worth considering:
- They Can Help You Look Younger: Getting dental implants can make it easier to maintain a more youthful appearance. Because the implant posts prevent bone loss in the jaw, they can help you avoid the facial collapse that often occurs when teeth are missing.
- They Have a High Success Rate: In 95% of cases, dental implants remain successful even two decades after initially being placed in the jaw.
- They Can Last for Decades: Dentures often need to be replaced every 7 to 10 years, but dental implants have the potential to last for more than 30 years or even the rest of your life with proper maintenance.
Who Dental Implants Can Help
With so many benefits, including a long lifespan, you may be interested in rebuilding the look of your smile and the strength of your bite with dental implants. If that’s the case, the best thing to do is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Zhang. The sooner you do, the sooner he can determine if you’re a good candidate. If you want to learn more on the topic in the meantime, including a few of the qualities that we look for during the initial exam, then read on!
Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?
Good candidates for dental implants typically have a jawbone that’s strong enough to support them, healthy gums, and a commitment to healthy habits, like brushing twice a day. We say “typically” because there are some cases when patients who don’t meet these criteria can get the necessary preliminary care. For instance, if there is an infection in your gums, then we can eliminate it with gum disease treatment.
Missing One Tooth
Are you only missing one tooth? If so, traditional dental bridges are no longer your only option! With a single dental implant, we can fill the gap in your smile, restoring your confidence and the strength of your bite in the process. The first step is to secure the implant post to your jawbone. Then, we can use an abutment to hold a custom dental crown in place. At this point, the entire structure of your tooth will be restored!
Missing Multiple Teeth
If you are missing several teeth, then you have a few options, including replacing each one with a single dental implant. However, that often isn’t the most efficient or cost-effective solution. That’s why we typically recommend either an implant bridge or an implant partial denture. During your consultation, we will complete a comprehensive oral exam, share which one we recommend, and answer any questions you have so you can confidently decide which one is best for you.
Missing All Teeth
Previously, patients who were missing all of their teeth had one choice: traditional dentures. Now, patients in the same boat are often candidates for implant dentures, too! Instead of resting against your gums, your denture will be secured in place with several strategically placed dental implants. Not only does this provide unmatched stability, but it also stimulates your jawbone, which helps prevent bone loss and preserve your youthful face shape.
If you are interested in facing tooth loss head-on with dental implants, then it’s time to take the next step: schedule an appointment with our team so we can review your dental history, complete a comprehensive oral exam, and learn about your smile goals!