Oral Surgeon Near South Valley, NM

For South Valley patients considering dental implants, our process begins with a comprehensive consultation to evaluate your oral health, discuss your goals, and determine if implants are right for you. Using advanced cone beam technology, we capture detailed 3D images of your jaw structure to plan precise implant placement.

The implant procedure itself involves surgically placing titanium posts into your jawbone to serve as artificial tooth roots. South Valley patients appreciate our attention to comfort during this process, with multiple anesthesia options available. Following placement, a healing period of 3-6 months allows the implants to integrate with your natural bone through a process called osseointegration.

Once healing is complete, you'll return to have your custom-crafted restorations attached to the implants. Depending on your needs, this might be a single crown for a single tooth replacement, an implant-supported bridge for multiple missing teeth, or a full-arch restoration to replace all teeth in an arch. South Valley patients consistently report that their dental implants feel, function, and look like natural teeth, allowing them to eat, speak, and smile with complete confidence.

At Rio Grande Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center, we perform a wide range of tooth extractions for South Valley patients, from simple removals to complex surgical extractions. Each procedure is tailored to the specific condition and needs of the patient.

Simple extractions are performed on fully erupted teeth with a single root structure, generally requiring only local anesthesia. For more complex cases, such as impacted wisdom teeth, severely decayed teeth, or multi-rooted teeth, we utilize surgical extraction techniques. South Valley patients with dental anxiety appreciate our various sedation options, which help ensure a comfortable experience regardless of extraction complexity.

We also specialize in extracting wisdom teeth, the third molars that typically emerge between ages 17-25. For many South Valley residents, these teeth become problematic due to insufficient space in the jaw, causing impaction, misalignment, or infection. Our surgeons are highly experienced in removing impacted wisdom teeth while minimizing discomfort and complications.

Following any extraction, we provide South Valley patients with detailed post-operative instructions to ensure proper healing. When appropriate, we may recommend socket preservation or bone grafting procedures to maintain the integrity of the extraction site, particularly if dental implant placement is being considered for the future.

South Valley residents experiencing facial trauma require specialized care that addresses both functional and aesthetic concerns. Our oral and maxillofacial surgeons are extensively trained in treating all types of facial trauma, from minor injuries to complex fractures and lacerations.

Common facial traumas we treat include fractured jaws, broken cheekbones or eye sockets, nasal fractures, facial lacerations, and dental injuries such as fractured or avulsed (knocked-out) teeth. When South Valley patients arrive with facial trauma, our priority is to stabilize the injury, control pain, and develop a comprehensive treatment plan that will restore both function and appearance.

For dental injuries, treatment may include repositioning displaced teeth, stabilizing fractured teeth, or replacing teeth that cannot be saved with dental implants once healing has occurred. Jaw fractures often require surgical intervention to realign the bones and secure them with small plates and screws while healing takes place.

South Valley patients appreciate our emergency availability and our surgeons' ability to coordinate with other specialists when facial trauma requires a multidisciplinary approach. We work diligently to minimize scarring and restore natural facial contours while ensuring proper healing of all injured structures. Our goal is to help facial trauma patients from South Valley recover with minimal long-term functional or aesthetic consequences.

Many South Valley patients seeking dental implants face challenges due to jawbone loss, which commonly occurs following tooth loss, periodontal disease, or long-term denture use. Without adequate bone volume, traditional implant placement may not be possible. Our practice offers several specialized solutions to address this issue.

Bone grafting is often our first approach for rebuilding lost bone tissue. This procedure involves placing bone grafting material into the deficient area to stimulate new bone growth. For South Valley patients requiring more substantial reconstruction, we may recommend a ridge augmentation to restore the natural contour of the jawbone or a sinus lift to increase bone height in the upper jaw when implants are needed in the back of the mouth.

In some cases, we can use specialized implant techniques to avoid extensive grafting procedures. The All-on-4® technique, for example, allows us to strategically place four implants to support a full arch of teeth while avoiding areas with insufficient bone. This approach often eliminates the need for bone grafting altogether and can provide South Valley patients with new teeth on the same day as implant placement.

Following any bone augmentation procedure, a healing period is necessary to allow for new bone formation before implant placement. Our surgeons carefully monitor this process to ensure optimal results and determine when the site is ready to receive implants. Through these specialized approaches, we help South Valley patients overcome anatomical limitations to achieve successful, long-lasting implant restorations.

We understand that many South Valley residents experience dental anxiety, particularly when facing oral surgery procedures. Our practice is designed to create a calming, supportive environment where anxious patients can receive the care they need without undue stress.

Your experience begins with a thorough consultation where we take time to listen to your concerns, answer all questions, and explain your treatment options in detail. Our team excels at putting South Valley patients at ease through clear communication and genuine compassion.

For procedural comfort, we offer a comprehensive range of anesthesia options tailored to your anxiety level and the complexity of your treatment. Options include local anesthesia for minimal anxiety and simple procedures, nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for mild anxiety, oral sedation for moderate anxiety, intravenous (IV) sedation for those seeking to be minimally aware during treatment, and general anesthesia for complex cases or severe anxiety.

South Valley patients appreciate our attentive post-operative care, including detailed recovery instructions and prompt follow-up. We remain accessible to address any concerns that arise during healing, providing peace of mind throughout your surgical experience. Our goal is to ensure that dental anxiety never prevents South Valley residents from receiving the oral surgical care they need to maintain their health and quality of life.