What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are small titanium or zirconia posts surgically placed into your jawbone. Over time, they fuse with the bone through a process called osseointegration. Once healed, a custom crown, bridge, or denture attaches securely on top.
The result? A restoration so natural, most patients forget they even have an implant. Unlike traditional dentures or bridges, implants don’t slip, shift, or rely on neighboring teeth for support. They act as permanent replacements that blend seamlessly with your smile.
Why Choose Dental Implants
If you’ve ever struggled with removable dentures or gaps in your smile, dental implants can completely transform your experience. Here’s why patients in Santa Fe trust us for this treatment:
- Permanent stability: No adhesives, slipping, or adjustments.
- Bone preservation: Implants stimulate your jawbone, preventing the bone loss that often follows tooth loss.
- Natural look and feel: Custom-made restorations designed to match your natural teeth.
- Improved oral health: Adjacent teeth remain untouched and strong.
- Confidence restored: Speak, laugh, and eat without hesitation.
We take time to understand your goals, ensuring that every implant fits comfortably and complements your facial features.
The Dental Implant Process
Getting dental implants at our Santa Fe office is a journey toward lasting comfort and confidence. Each phase is carefully planned and executed to ensure success:
- Comprehensive Consultation: We begin with a detailed examination, using 3D imaging and a CBCT scanner to map your bone structure. This allows him to determine the exact implant position and identify if bone grafting is needed.
- Implant Placement: The titanium implant is placed into the jawbone during a simple surgical procedure. Most patients experience minimal discomfort and a quick recovery.
- Healing and Integration: Over the next few months, the implant fuses with your jawbone, creating a secure base for your new tooth.
- Restoration: Once healed, a custom-made crown or bridge is attached to the implant, completing your new smile.
Every step is guided by precision technology like 3D scanners and digital X-rays, allowing us to achieve perfect alignment and symmetry.
Advanced Technology for Better Results
At the Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center of Santa Fe, innovation makes care more personal and predictable. We integrate advanced tools such as:
- 3D Imaging and CBCT Scanners: For detailed bone mapping.
- Digital Impressions: Ensuring Accuracy Without Messy Molds.
- Intraoral and Trios Scanners: For faster, more comfortable diagnostics.
- 3D Printers: Used to create surgical guides for exact placement.
These technologies enhance both the safety and aesthetics of every dental implant procedure.
Who Is a Candidate for Dental Implants?
Most adults in good health are eligible for dental implants. The key factors are healthy gums, sufficient bone density, and a commitment to good oral hygiene. Even if bone loss has occurred, We can perform bone grafting or sinus lift procedures to prepare your jaw for implant placement.
If you’re missing a single tooth, multiple teeth, or need a full-arch restoration, dental implants can be customized to meet your needs.
Caring for Your Dental Implants
Dental implants can last a lifetime with proper care. Fortunately, maintaining them is simple—just follow the same good habits you’d use for natural teeth:
- Brush and floss daily
- Visit your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings
- Avoid using your teeth to open packages or chew hard objects
Our team also provides detailed aftercare guidance and ongoing support to help your implants stay strong for years to come.
Restore Your Smile with Confidence
Missing teeth don’t have to define your smile—or your confidence. Dental implants offer a permanent, natural-looking solution that restores both function and beauty. At the Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center of Santa Fe, Dr. Diego Hurtado and Dr. Sean Healy are ready to help you take that next step toward a healthier, more complete smile.
Call us today or schedule your consultation online to learn how dental implants can transform your life—because every smile deserves to feel whole again.
