Dental Implants – Rio Rancho, NM

Initial Dental Implant Consultation

During your first appointment, we’ll explain the implant process in full detail, and we’ll examine your mouth to make sure there aren’t any issues that would get in the way of implant surgery. By doing this, we can decide if dental implants are the right choice for you and make sure they're placed just right.

In some cases, you might need to undergo certain preliminary procedures before getting dental implants. This could include services like strengthening your jaw with a bone graft, treating gum disease, or removing a troublesome tooth. Once these are done, we'll move on to planning the rest of your treatment.  

Dental Implant Surgery

Now it's time for dental implant surgery! First, we'll make sure your mouth is completely numb using a local anesthetic. Then, we'll create a small opening in your gum tissue to reach your jawbone. Carefully, we'll position the implants in the exact spots and angles needed. Finally, we'll close up your gums and cover the dental implant posts with protective caps to keep them safe as they heal.

Dental Implant Osseointegration & Abutment Placement

For the next 3 to 6 months, an incredibly important fusion process called "osseointegration" occurs between the implant(s) and your jawbone. This creates a strong foundation for your replacement teeth, ensuring they stay securely in position. Once this integration is complete, we'll attach a metal abutment to the end of your implant.

Delivery of Dental Implant Restorations

After a few weeks with the abutment in place, your restoration will be prepared. When you visit our office, you'll receive your new crown, bridge, or denture, depending on how many teeth you're replacing. We'll also make sure your bite feels just right. Then, you'll be all set to enjoy the full benefits of your beautiful new smile!

Day-to-Day Benefits

• No dietary restrictions: Those with more traditional restorations, such as dental bridges and dentures, are typically more cautious when eating tougher foods like apples, steak, or corn on the cob. However, since dental implants are directly embedded into the jawbone, you’ll be able to regain 80% or more of your natural chewing power (compared to only 25-30% from traditional restorations). That means you can freely enjoy all your favorite foods without worrying about your new teeth shifting out of place.
• Sip on your favorite drinks: Most patients with bridges or dentures will try to avoid drinking beverages that can stain their tooth replacements, such as coffee and wine. Especially hot drinks can also warp dentures over time, which will require paying more money to adjust or replace the restorations. Dental implants, on the other hand, aren’t susceptible to discoloration or warping due to temperatures, so you can enjoy your favorite beverages at any time.
• Smile confidently: Since dental implants look and feel like your natural pearly whites, you won’t have to worry about them accidentally slipping or falling off whenever you eat, talk, or smile. Others also won’t be able to distinguish them from your permanent teeth. This means you’ll be able to show off your new smile confidently, boosting your positivity and quality of life!

Health Benefits

• Jawbone preservation: Unlike traditional restorations that rely on other healthy teeth or your gumline, dental implants will be directly embedded into your jawbone. Since they’ll serve as your new permanent roots, they’ll provide the necessary stimulation of blood flow to promote stronger and healthier bone tissue to support your smile. This will prevent your jawbone from shrinking as well as preserve a more youthful facial shape in the long run.
• No tooth sensitivity or gum irritation: Your enamel will need to be prepared before getting a dental bridge, which involves removing a small amount that can weaken your teeth and result in increased sensitivity. Dentures will often rest on your gumline and can lead to jaw soreness and gum irritation as they lose their fit. Dental implants will function like regular teeth, avoiding these complications altogether.
• Requires easy & straightforward maintenance: Since your implants will be simple to clean, you’ll be able to easily reduce your risks of oral health issues like gum disease and decay. Additionally, those with five or more missing teeth at age 65 are more likely to struggle with problems like diabetes, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease. With dental implants, you can significantly lower your odds of developing these concerns.

Long-Term Benefits

• Long-lasting & successful results: Dental implants typically have a success rate of 95% or more even 10 years after being placed. You can also expect them to last several decades to a lifetime with proper care.
• Improves your longevity: Having a full smile can help increase your chances of living longer. According to recent studies, those with 20 or more teeth at age 70 have a longer lifespan than people with less than 20 at 70.
• Save money & time on your smile: Dental implants do come with a higher upfront cost, but you won’t have to spend as much time or money on repairs, replacements, or special cleaning products like bridges and dentures.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

Before you can have dental implants placed, we will need to make sure that you meet the following criteria:

• Your body as a whole is well enough for a minor surgery to be performed.
• You do not have any untreated oral health issues (such as gum disease) that may cause problems for your dental implants.
• Your jaw has enough bone density to support dental implants. (Alternatively, you are willing to have bone grafts performed to correct a lack of bone density.)

After examining your mouth, our team can explain whether dental implants are a good fit in your case and let you know if preliminary treatments are required.

Missing One Tooth

A dental implant can be used to fill a gap left by a single missing tooth. Once the implant post has been carefully inserted into the jaw, it will be given time to fuse with the bone. Then we can attach an abutment to the post; said abutment will eventually be used to anchor a crown in place.

Replacing a tooth with a single dental implant and crown is often suggested as an alternative to getting a traditional bridge. Unlike a dental bridge, an implant post can be placed without making permanent changes to any of the natural teeth that you still have.

Missing Multiple Teeth

If you have lost more than one tooth, our team will try to find a way to fill in the empty space with the fewest implant posts possible. As an example, only two dental implants are typically required when three or more consecutive teeth are missing. Once the implant posts have been inserted into the appropriate spots in the jaw, they can support a customized dental bridge. It is also possible to combine a specific number of dental implants with a partial denture in order to replace teeth in different parts of the mouth.

Missing All Teeth

Dental implants are so versatile that they can even be used to replace an entire row of missing teeth. By attaching a full denture to about 4 to 6 dental implant posts, we can completely restore your smile with new teeth that won’t slip or shift out of place when you don’t want them to. Oftentimes, implant dentures are permanently fixed in place, but they can also be removable; it depends on your needs and preferences.

Learn More About Permanent Dentures

Preliminary Treatments & Dental Implant Surgery

Many patients require gum disease treatment, tooth extractions, bone grafting, or other preliminary treatments before they are eligible to receive dental implants. Each of these services comes with its own fee.

The implant surgery itself has a separate price, which depends on the number of implants being placed and other factors. We perform this complex procedure right here in our office, and you can rely on us to be transparent with pricing.

The Parts of Your Dental Implant

Each dental implant procedure is unique. Some factors that can influence the cost of your care include:

• The size and type of implants used
• The manufacturer of your implants
• The size and type of your crown, bridge, or denture
• The number of implants needed

Our practice strives to use only top-quality materials so our patients can enjoy optimum treatment outcomes. Feel free to ask us where your implants come from.

How Dental Implants Can Save You Money

Even though dental implants represent a significant upfront cost, they can actually help you save money in the long run. Here is how they can do so:

• Longevity. Dental implants often last for a lifetime. Dentures, on the other hand, need to be replaced every 5 – 8 years or so — they can become quite expensive over time!
• Imporved oral health. Dental implants can prevent issues like mouth sores and other problems that commonly accompany dentures. They can therefore save you money on future dental treatments.

Does My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Implants?

Some insurance plans cover dental implants in Rio Rancho, whereas others do not. You will have to check the specifics of your policy to find out how it applies. If it does not cover the implants themselves, it is likely to cover other portions of your treatment, such as your final restoration or your preliminary procedures. Our team members are pros at dealing with insurance, so you can be sure that we will do all we can to help you maximize your benefits.

Making Dental Implants Affordable

As your implant dentist in Rio Rancho, we want you to be able to afford your new smile. That is why we have partnered with CareCredit, a third-party financing company that offers low-interest payment plans for dental treatments. The application process is fast, and most patients are eligible for credit. You may be able to choose from between several different monthly payment amounts according to what works best for your budget.

3D Cone Beam Imaging/3D CT Scanning

Most dental offices contain a digital X-ray machine, which can be very useful for diagnosing a range of oral health conditions. When it comes to planning dental implant treatment, though, a higher level of detail is necessary. That is why we have an in-office Computed Cone Beam Tomography (CBCT) scanner, which might also be referred to as simply a cone beam scanner.

Our CBCT machine uses the same type of radiation as a traditional X-ray. However, the radiation is emitted in a cone-shaped beam. This allows the machine to capture highly detailed, three-dimensional images of the targeted area. We can see, not just your teeth and jawbone, but also your nerves and connective tissues!

With the help of our CBCT machine, we are able to understand your unique oral anatomy and plan your implant procedure accordingly. After your implants are in place, we may perform additional scans to monitor how well your implants are integrating with your jawbone.

The CBCT scanning process is fast, painless, and non-invasive. It also uses significantly less radiation than a traditional CT scan performed in a hospital.

Digital Impression System

Once your dental implants are in place, they will bond with your jawbone over a period of a few months. Thereafter, you will be ready to receive your beautiful new teeth! To help us design your crown, bridge, or denture, we use an advanced digital impression system.

To capture a digital impression, all we have to do is move a wand-like device around your mouth. It rapidly captures thousands of images, which then get assembled into an extremely accurate digital representation of your mouth. A dental laboratory can then use the impression to fabricate new teeth that are tailored to your unique smile.

Digital impressions are superior to old-fashioned manual impressions in a number of ways:

• Digital impressions are faster. The process is over in just a few minutes or less!
• Digital impressions are extremely accurate. This leads to restorations that provide a comfortable bite. Plus, you will not need to worry about sitting through multiple manual impressions.
• Digital impressions are more comfortable. Manual impressions require the use of bulky impression trays and a putty-like impression material. As you can imagine, the use of such items can be unpleasant for the patient! Digital impressions are much better tolerated by most people.

Do you have questions about the technology we use to rebuild beautiful and strong smiles? Contact our team to learn more — we look forward to speaking with you!

What to Do Directly After Dental Implant Surgery

Immediately following your dental implant surgery, you’ll need to make sure that you take proper care of your mouth, including the blood clot(s) that must form. Failing to do so can lead to a dry socket, which can be extremely painful.

You will need to avoid drinking from a straw, spitting or rinsing vigorously, smoking or using any kind of tobacco, or using your tongue or finger to prod or poke the surgical site(s).

Common Side Effects

It’s important to know which side effects are normal after your dental implant surgery, so if you notice any of the following, do not be alarmed:

• Slight discomfort, which can be treated with over-the-counter pain reliever or prescribed medicine from our team.
• Some swelling that can last for a week or longer. A cold compress can help alleviate inflammation and discomfort.
• Off and on bleeding, which can be managed with clean gauze and gentle pressure on the implant sites.

If your pain persists or worsens over time, don’t hesitate to call our office for help.

Diet

After any kind of mouth surgery, you’ll need to stick to a soft food diet. This will prevent additional and unnecessary pressure from being placed on your surgical sites, allowing them to heal more thoroughly.

In the days following your procedure, make sure you’re consuming these types of foods:

• Pudding
• Oatmeal
• Ice cream
• Scrambled eggs
• Pasta
• Mashed potatoes
• Lukewarm soup
• Yogurt

Once your mouth begins to heal, and you feel more comfortable, you can begin to slowly incorporate denser, more solid foods into your diet.

Health & Oral Hygiene

Your mouth needs to stay healthy during this phase of treatment, as bacteria and harmful particles can increase the chances of dental implant failure. You want to give your implants the best chance to succeed, so make sure that you:

• Practice your normal oral hygiene routine but be gentle while brushing around your implant surgical sites.
• Avoid using any kind of mouthwash that contains alcohol.
• Rinse with salt water multiple times each day after every meal. Do not spit out the contents but instead allow it to drip from your mouth.

What to Do After Your New Teeth Are Attached

Once you receive your new restoration, you can begin to enjoy your improved smile. The implants will be fully fused with your jawbone tissues, creating a stable foundation that makes it easy to eat, speak, and socialize with others without worrying about your appearance. If you discover any bleeding or swelling after having your new teeth put in place, let us know right away.

Does Getting Dental Implants Hurt?

Similar to most other dental procedures, we will completely numb your mouth with a local anesthetic before beginning any work on your smile. Your jawbone also doesn’t have many nerve endings, so you won’t feel any pain during your oral surgery. You may even opt for sedation dentistry, which will help relax your muscles and keep you as comfortable as possible throughout your procedure. Though the surgery itself won’t hurt, you may feel minor soreness for several days after your appointment. This can be remedied by taking over-the-counter and prescribed pain relievers as well as applying a cold compress to the outside of your mouth. If any discomfort persists or worsens, give us a call for help.

Will I Have to Take Off Work for Dental Implant Surgery?

Most patients typically only require taking off one or two days from work to get their dental implants. That said, you might want to take three or four days off if your job is more physically demanding. Strenuous activity or heavy exercise can divert blood from the surgical site, interfering with osseointegration and your recovery process. Since every patient or situation is different, our team will provide you with more specific recommendations based on your unique case.

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

Although this will depend entirely on the patient’s overall health and lifestyle choices, you can often expect dental implants to last anywhere from several decades to a lifetime! However, you’ll need to practice several important preventive measures to ensure that you make the most of your new pearly whites. Fortunately, this will involve implementing a simple oral hygiene routine, including brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash regularly. Be sure to refrain from biting into anything particularly hard or sticky to avoid damaging your restorations, and schedule routine dental checkups and cleanings every six months to keep your smile in pristine condition.

Can I Get Dental Implants If I’m Diabetic?

As long as you keep your diabetes in check, your chances of having successful dental implants should end up being the same as nondiabetic patients. If your condition is left unchecked and you have chronic high blood sugar, your healing process can become delayed, making it increasingly difficult for your implants to fuse with your jawbone. To boost your odds of a successful treatment, be sure to consult your primary care physician about improving your blood sugar levels before beginning your dental implant treatment.

What Can Cause Dental Implants to Fail?

It should be emphasized that dental implant failure is a very rare occurrence. Nevertheless, it’s important to be aware of the factors that can cause it. Generally speaking, a failed dental implant is often the result of one of the two following issues:

• Peri-Implantitis: If harmful bacteria infect the tissues around the implant posts, the result is peri-implantitis. Over time, the bacteria will damage the gums and the underlying bone, causing the implant posts to lose their support.
• Failed Osseointegration: Dental implants are supposed to fuse with the jawbone. However, this might not happen if there’s not enough bone present or if the posts are exposed to too much pressure during the healing process.

On top of that, teeth grinding, tobacco, poor oral hygiene, the use of specific medications, and a number of health conditions can all potentially be contributing factors for dental implant failure. Our team can go over said factors with you and explain what steps you can take if you want to maximize your dental implants’ chances of success.

Am I Too Old to Get Dental Implants?

You cannot be too old for dental implants. The health of your mouth and the state of your jawbone are far more important for determining your candidacy for the procedure than your age. It is worth noting that seniors do tend to have a higher chance of suffering from health issues that might need to be addressed before dental implants can be placed. Nevertheless, it’s completely possible for patients in their 80s to reclaim a complete smile with the help of sturdy dental implant posts.

Will People Be Able to Tell That I Have Dental Implants?

Most people won’t be able to tell the difference between your natural teeth and the prosthetic teeth supported by dental implants. Your crown, bridge, or denture will be expertly customized to look like a natural part of your mouth, so you won’t have to worry about it drawing the wrong kind of attention. Meanwhile, the implant posts won’t be visible at all; they will be completely covered by the gum tissue as well as the prosthesis.

Can Dental Implants Replace Molars?

Yes! Dental implants can potentially replace any of your teeth, and that naturally includes the molars. In fact, sturdy implant posts are actually an excellent option for this type of tooth loss. The molars play an important role in allowing you to chew your food thoroughly; a well-placed dental implant can restore up to 80% of your original chewing power and allow you to eat all kinds of foods again.

Note that if you are planning to get dental implants to replace your upper molars, you could potentially need a sinus lift. This is similar to a bone graft in that it involves applying new tissue to an area where bone density might be low, but a major difference is that the sinus cavity is moved upwards and away from the area where the implant posts will be inserted.