2520 W Hermosa Dr, Artesia, NM 88210
A Permanent Solution to Missing Teeth
Missing teeth affect more than your smile. They can change the way you eat, speak and feel about yourself every single day. At Smile Xpressions Family Dentistry, we offer dental implants as the most complete way to replace missing teeth for patients throughout Artesia, restoring not just the visible tooth, but the root structure beneath it as well.
Unlike bridges or dentures, which sit on top of the gums or rely on neighboring teeth, dental implants are surgically placed into the jawbone, functioning much like a natural tooth root. This creates a stable, long-term foundation that supports a replacement tooth built to look, feel and function just like the real thing.
Schedule an Implant Consultation
What Makes Dental Implants Different?
A dental implant is made up of three main parts working together to recreate a fully functioning tooth:
- The Implant Post, a small titanium post surgically placed into the jawbone, acting as an artificial tooth root
- The Abutment, a connector piece that attaches the implant post to the visible replacement tooth
- The Crown, a custom-made, tooth colored restoration that sits on top, designed to blend naturally with your surrounding teeth
Because the implant post fuses with the jawbone over time in a process called osseointegration, dental implants provide a level of stability and strength that other tooth replacement options simply cannot match. This also means implants help stimulate and preserve the jawbone, something that missing teeth alone can allow to gradually deteriorate.
Types of Dental Implants We Offer
Not every patient's needs are the same, which is why dental implants come in several forms depending on how many teeth need replacing and the condition of your jawbone. At Smile Xpressions, our dentist will help determine which type of implant is right for your specific situation.
Single Tooth Implants
Used to replace one missing tooth, a single implant post is placed in the jawbone and topped with a custom crown, without affecting the health or structure of neighboring teeth.
Implant Supported Bridges
For patients missing several teeth in a row, two or more implants can be placed to anchor a bridge, replacing multiple teeth without needing an implant for every single missing tooth.
Implant Supported Dentures
Patients missing all or most of their teeth in an arch can benefit from a full denture secured by several strategically placed implants, offering far greater stability and confidence than a traditional removable denture.
All-on-4 and All-on-X Implants
For patients missing an entire arch of teeth, this treatment uses as few as four implants to support a full, fixed set of replacement teeth. It provides a stable, long-lasting alternative to removable dentures and can often be completed in a single day.
Restoring Your Smile From the Ground Up
Getting a dental implant is a multi-stage process that unfolds over several months to ensure a strong, lasting result. Here is what to expect at our Artesia office.
Comprehensive Consultation and Imaging
Our dentist evaluates your oral health, takes detailed images of your jawbone, and develops a personalized treatment plan.
1
Implant Placement Surgery
The titanium implant post is carefully placed into the jawbone under local anesthesia, in the area where the tooth is missing.
2
Healing and Osseointegration
Over the following months, the implant fuses naturally with the surrounding jawbone, creating a stable foundation for your new tooth.
3
Abutment Placement
Once healing is complete, a small connector piece called an abutment is attached to the implant post.
4
Custom Crown Fabrication
Impressions are taken to design a crown that matches the shape, size and color of your natural teeth.
5
Final Crown Placement
The custom crown is securely attached to the abutment, completing your restoration with a natural, fully functional result.
6
Why Patients Choose Dental Implants
- Look and Feel Like Natural Teeth
Implants are custom designed to match the shape, size and color of your surrounding teeth, making them virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth. - Preserve Jawbone Health
Unlike bridges or dentures, implants stimulate the jawbone the same way natural tooth roots do, helping prevent the bone loss that often follows tooth loss. - Do Not Rely on Neighboring Teeth
Implants stand independently, meaning healthy adjacent teeth do not need to be altered or ground down to support the restoration. - Built to Last
With proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime, making them one of the most durable long-term solutions for tooth replacement. - Restore Full Chewing Function
Because implants are anchored directly into the jawbone, they allow for confident chewing without the shifting or slipping sometimes associated with removable options.
Am I a Candidate for Dental Implants?
Most healthy adults with sufficient jawbone density are good candidates for dental implants, whether replacing a single tooth, several teeth or supporting a full denture. Patients should have healthy gums free of active periodontal disease, and enough remaining bone to support the implant post, though bone grafting procedures can help patients who have experienced bone loss become candidates as well.
Certain factors, like uncontrolled diabetes, smoking or ongoing radiation treatment, may affect candidacy or healing, so a thorough evaluation with our dentist is the best way to determine if implants are right for your specific situation.
One of the Most Trusted Ways to Replace a Tooth
Dental implants have become one of the most trusted, long-lasting solutions in modern dentistry, offering patients a way to replace missing teeth without compromising on strength, appearance or long-term oral health. Our team at Smile Xpressions is here to help determine if implants are the right choice for restoring your smile.
Request Your Implant Consultation