Santa Fe Dental Implants

Dental implants are small posts placed in the jawbone to act like artificial tooth roots. They support crowns or other restorations to replace missing teeth.

Many patients with one or more missing teeth may be candidates, but it depends on factors like bone support, oral health, and medical history. That is why a detailed consultation is so important.

Yes. We place implants in-house at Milagro Dental.

No. At this time, that is not part of the treatment we offer in this office.

Some patients do, and some do not. Your CBCT scan helps us evaluate whether there is enough healthy bone to support the implant properly.

Timing varies depending on the case, healing, and whether additional treatment is needed. We will walk you through your expected timeline clearly during your consultation.

With proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime. The titanium post that integrates with your jawbone is designed to be a permanent fixture. The crown attached to the implant typically lasts 15 to 25 years before it may need to be replaced due to normal wear. Consistent oral hygiene and regular dental visits are the most important factors in implant longevity.

Most adults with a fully developed jaw who have adequate bone density are candidates for implants. Certain conditions — like uncontrolled diabetes, active gum disease, or a history of radiation treatment to the jaw — may affect candidacy or require additional planning. We use CBCT imaging and a thorough health review to evaluate your suitability before recommending any treatment.

The timeline varies based on individual healing and whether a bone graft is needed. For most patients, the process from implant placement to final crown takes four to six months. This allows adequate time for the implant to fully integrate with the jawbone (a process called osseointegration) before the permanent restoration is placed.

The area is fully numbed before placement, and most patients are surprised by how comfortable the procedure feels. Mild soreness and swelling in the days after surgery are normal and manageable with over-the-counter pain relievers. We also offer sedation options for patients who prefer a more relaxed experience during the procedure.

Bone grafting is a procedure that adds bone material to an area of the jaw that has lost density, often due to tooth loss or long-term denture use. Without sufficient bone volume, an implant may not have a stable foundation. If our CBCT imaging shows that grafting is needed, we'll walk you through the process, timeline, and what to expect before moving forward with implant placement.

Yes. A single implant supports one crown, but multiple implants can anchor bridges that replace several teeth. For patients missing a full arch, implant-supported dentures (sometimes called All-on-4) use four to six implants to support a full set of fixed, non-removable teeth. We'll assess the best approach based on how many teeth are missing, your bone volume, and your goals.