The Dental Implant Process in Las Cruces, NM
Your Initial Consultation With Dr. Borham
Dental implants are the most effective way to restore missing teeth, and we’ll make sure you’re completely satisfied with your results. That’s why Dr. Borham will get to know you and find out your oral needs during your first consultation with him.
We’ll take a 3D digital impression of your mouth using an i-CAT CBCT machine. This impression gives us a comprehensive look at the density and volume of the bone, the site of your missing tooth, and the nearby nerves. It also allows us to optimally plan your treatment for stronger, longer-lasting results.
Placing Your Implants
After you’ve chosen one of our implant solutions, you’ll come back to our office to have your new restorations placed. While the procedure is different for each patient, we can sometimes place your implants in just one day. In other cases, placement may take two to three separate appointments.
Your comfort is a priority to us, so we’ll provide you an anesthetic to numb the areas around the surgical site. If you suffer from dental anxiety, we can offer you a sedative to help you relax.
Using Osseointegration to Create a Strong Base
We make sure your implants are as functional as possible, which is why we place them into your jawbone through a process called osseointegration. This allows the implant fixtures to integrate with your jawbone, creating new bone tissue to firmly hold them in place.
While your jaw is healing from this procedure, we might place a temporary prosthetic on the implant fixtures so that you don’t have to live another day without a complete smile.
Restoring Your Smile
Once your implant fixtures have fully healed, Dr. Borham will attach your stunning porcelain crowns to them using titanium abutment connecting pieces. This will ensure that your new teeth will function like natural ones and remain healthy for years to come.
Your dental implants will allow you to eat whatever foods you please and speak with ease. You’ll no longer have to feel self-conscious about your missed teeth or ill-fitting dentures because your restoration will look so real others won’t even be able to tell they’re not your natural teeth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is osseointegration?
Osseointegration is a necessary step in the dental implant process in which an artificial implant is permanently and surgically anchored into the jaw bone. It then integrates into the bone and grows into the implant for a stable, reliable foundation for your new restoration. Without osseointegration, the dental implant would not heal successfully for long-lasting results.
How long does the dental implant procedure take?
Generally, the dental implant process requires two surgical procedures and can take anywhere from six to eight months. This is dependent on several factors, such as the number of implants placed and whether a supplemental procedure is required.
The only way to get an accurate timeline of your treatment plan is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Borham. He’ll review your medical history, examine your oral health, and create a customized treatment plan with a detailed outline of your procedures.
Can you get a dental implant in one day?
Yes, it is possible to get a dental implant in as little as one day. Dr. Borham offers immediate same-day implants to help you achieve a complete smile as soon as you leave our office. It works similar to the traditional implant process, but we’ll use four to eight titanium fixtures to restore an entire arch of teeth.
However, the number of implants placed depends on the sufficiency of your jaw bone density. To learn more, give us a call at (575) 523-5589 and a knowledgeable member of our staff will explain the process in detail.
How painful is getting a dental implant?
With sedation dentistry, getting a dental implant at Mesilla Valley Family Dentistry is completely pain-free. We’ll apply a local anesthetic to numb the area around the surgical site so you won’t feel a thing. Dr. Borham can also offer you a sedative to help you feel comfortable throughout the implant process. It’s safe, effective, and allows you to relax while we complete your new, beautiful smile.
Contact Us to Get Started
Are you interested in dental implants and want to learn more about them? If so, give us a call at 575-523-5589 or fill out our contact form below. Our experienced staff is happy to answer all of your questions and get you one step closer to the smile of your dreams.
CERECⓇ Same-Day Crowns in Las Cruces, NM
A complete, flawless smile can increase your confidence and oral health. Even just one missing or damaged tooth can affect your smile and make it harder for you to carry out daily functions. Luckily, our experienced team at Mesilla Valley Family Dentistry can help restore your smile.
If you want to replace missing teeth quickly, then you may benefit from a CEREC same-day crown. This restoration will be made to look and feel just like your natural teeth, providing you with a new smile in just one day. The best thing Discover what makes this treatment so efficient.
Our CEREC Technology
Do you want to achieve a beautiful smile as quickly as possible? Dr. Borham uses our CEREC technology to create a new crown for you in hours. This advanced machine uses 3D images to get an exact measurement of your teeth so it can replicate the ones that need to be replaced as close as possible.
After Dr. Borham takes digital images of your teeth, he’ll use CEREC, Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics, along with a CAD/CAM computer to take impressions of your teeth. Then, the device fills the impression with a stunning porcelain material to create a crown that’ll restore or replace your damaged tooth.
Placing Your Crown in One Day
Once your crown is made, Dr. Borham will prepare your tooth before he places it. Before doing this, he’ll provide you with an anesthetic to make sure you don’t feel any discomfort during the procedure. He’ll either clean and polish or extract the tooth if necessary.
If your crown is being used to improve an existing tooth, the tooth is reshaped to fit inside the restoration. Then, the crown will be placed and secured using a special dental material to ensure it stays firmly in place.
Am I a Candidate for a Same-day Crown?
At Mesilla Valley Family Dentistry, our mission is to help you achieve the smile of your dreams. CEREC same-day crowns can be used for multiple reasons and will improve the appearance and function of your smile.
This restoration may be right for you if you’re looking to:
- Strengthen a tooth after a root canal
- Correct discoloration
- Cover a chipped or cracked tooth
- Replace a missing tooth
Frequently Asked Questions
Are CEREC crowns good for molars?
CEREC crowns are just as strong as other types of crowns, lasting at least 10 to 15 years with proper care. You won’t have to treat them like they’re special, so you can eat the foods you love. CEREC can also be placed in only one appointment, so you won’t have to wait to restore your smile.
One of the main advantages of CEREC is its natural-looking appearance. While this isn’t crucial for your crown, especially in the back of your mouth, it can still be nice to have a natural appearance when you open your mouth.
Can a CEREC crown be repaired?
Generally, when your crown breaks you’ll need a new one. Luckily, a replacement crown can quickly be created using CEREC technology. You won’t have to wait with a broken and possibly uncomfortable restoration sitting in your mouth.
If your crown breaks, call our office at (575) 523-5589 so we can help you. We’ll schedule an appointment for you to fix your crown as soon as possible. Once you’re at your appointment, you won’t have to wait long.
How does CEREC work?
CEREC technology uses 3D scanning technology to create a fully accurate image of your teeth and mouth. This scan can capture all the details that a traditional impression might miss. This means your crown will be much more comfortable and fit in your mouth better.
The 3D scans your dentist takes will be transferred to the CEREC machine, where your new crown will be created. This doesn’t take very long, and you’ll be able to leave our office with a fully restored, natural-looking tooth.
Contact Us in Las Cruces, NM
Are you ready to have a smile you can show off? CEREC same-day crowns are created and placed in a day so you don’t have to be self-conscious of your incomplete smile. Contact us at (575) 523-5589 or fill out our contact form below to learn more about this restoration.
Laser Dentistry in Las Cruces, NM
Fotona Lightwalker – The Most Precise Dental Laser
Mesilla Valley Family Dentistry NOW OFFERING FOTONA LIGHTWALKER LASER DENTISTRY FOR GREATER PATIENT COMFORT AND FASTER HEALING
Fotona’s LightWalker patented technology allows for optimized patient comfort, speed and clinical results. Its state-of-the-art design outperforms all others in terms of speed and precision, while simultaneously offering a wide range of highly effective hard- and soft-tissue treatments. From conservative dentistry, endodontics and implantology to periodontics and soft-tissue surgery, LightWalker lasers offer the most comprehensive list of clinical applications of any dental laser made today.
LightWalker’s delivery systems enhance the precision and performance of each laser treatment for optimal clinical efficacy. Typical treatment procedures with LightWalker are faster and easier to perform, all with less pain and shorter healing times compared to conventional treatments.
Types of Fotona LightWalker® Treatments:
Fillings:
Treating decay often times without or with less need of any anesthesia and without drilling. Because a laser removes decayed tissue without friction or heat, most fillings can be done without injections. However, If the decay is deep or the tooth is symptomatic, the tooth will need to be treated under local anesthetic.
- Uncovering implants.
- Removal of veneers and ceramic or porcelain crowns without the need to use a drill. However it won’t remove crowns that have metal on them.
- Treatment of painful Recurrent Apthous ulcers and Herpes ulcers.
- Oral Surgery
- Tongue and lips frenectomies
- Teeth hypersensitivity
- TMJ and facial muscle pain.
LightWalker’s Nd:YAG laser light has an optimal infrared wavelength that penetrates into the tissue. The effect of the wavelength on healing through the stimulation of growth factors is substantially high and also results in collagen synthesis and a decreased level of pain.
Nightlase
NightLase® Treatment is a patented, fast, non-invasive and friendly way of increasing the quality of a patient’s sleep. NightLase® lessens the effects of sleep apnea and decreases the amplitude of snoring through the use of gentle, superficial Er:YAG laser light. No anesthesia is used in this treatment. During NightLase® treatment laser light gently heats the tissue, causing tightening of the tissue without damage or adverse effects. It is gentle enough to be used on the sensitive tissue inside the mouth, but strong enough to provide clinically efficacious heating. Research has shown that NightLase® reduces and attenuates snoring and provides an effective, non-invasive way to lessen the effects of sleep apnea.
Smoothlase & facial esthetics
Learn more about all the LightWalker offers by reading this brochure.
Improving Your Oral Health with Laser Dentistry
At Mesilla Valley Family Dentistry, we are continuously striving to improve all of our dental treatments by staying up to date on the latest technology and techniques. Laser dentistry is an effective method that Dr. Borham uses to improve your oral health in a way that’s as comfortable as possible.
During laser treatments, Dr. Borham uses a handheld diode laser to precisely remove bacteria from your mouth and eliminate gum disease. The device uses invisible infrared wavelengths to accurately glide through the soft tissues in your mouth.
Benefits of Laser Dentistry
If you suffer from dental anxiety or get nervous during dental treatments, laser dentistry will allow you to have a more comfortable experience at our office. Since our diode laser is quiet, it eliminates the fear that loud drills may cause.
This technology is also known to heal the nerves and tissues as it penetrates the gums which means less bleeding and swelling. Procedures performed with a diode laser typically result in quicker and less painful recoveries.
Diode Laser Treatments
Your oral health is our number one priority, and we only use the most advanced techniques to deep clean your teeth and gums. Dr. Borham uses laser dentistry to perform the following procedures.
Deep Cleanings
We recommend that each of our patients visit us every six months for regular cleanings and examinations. However, many people go much longer without visiting our office, and this often results in gum disease.
Our experienced Dental Hygienists, Yvette and Gail are trained and certified in usind the diode laser as an adjunctice after using the hand scalers and ultrasonic cleaning instruments to decontamitae the infected/inflamed pockets around the teeth. That results in a more predictable healing of the supporting gum tissues by eliminating most o the harmful bacteria that damages it.
Gum Shaping
Are your gums receding or covering too much of your teeth? The shape of your gums can not only affect the appearance of your smile, but it can also expose your teeth to more bacteria. To restore your gums, we’ll use a diode laser to remove excess tissue or reshape the existing tissue.
Frenectomies
Sometimes people are born with or develop a condition that causes their tongue or lips to become too connected to the bottom of their mouth or their gums. A lip or a tongue tie can also lead to various feeding and speech issues in infants and toddlers. It can also lead to some sleep issues in adults. A Frenectomy procedure is used to release those attached tissues which lead to an instant improve in quality of life for those who are affected.
Gingivectomy
When a patient is suffering from severe gum disease, they may need to have a portion of their gums removed. This is called a gingivectomy. Dr. Borham uses his diode laser to cut through the gums and remove the infected area. Sometimes this procedure is used to heighten or widen a tooth as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does laser dentistry hurt?
Laser dentistry is designed to not harm or hurt our patients at all. Most patients say that their laser procedure is notably comfortable and efficient.
Many times, we don’t need to use any numbing or sedation when using a laser for your dental treatment because of how minimal it cuts through the tissue. Laser dentistry also benefits our patients during their recovery as the healing is quick with little to no pain.
Is laser dental treatment safe?
Yes, laser dentistry is extremely safe and has been around for 30 years. Lasers are used to provide patients with a safe and effective treatment for a wide range of dental procedures.
Here at Mesilla Valley Family Dentistry, laser dentistry is used for deep cleanings, gum shaping, frenectomies, and gingivectomy.
What are the benefits of laser dentistry?
Laser dentistry offers patients a wide variety of benefits including minimal pain, a speedy recovery, and restore oral health. Lasers also help reduce bleeding in the soft tissues as it helps induce blood clotting.
With laser dentistry, there’s also less of a chance for infection because the laser can sterilize the affected area. This method of treatment is an effective way we provide our patients with remarkable dental care.
Does insurance cover laser dental procedures?
Laser dentistry may be covered by most insurance providers depending on the dental procedure it’s being used for. No matter what the method used for your treatment is, dental insurance cover most procedures.
If you’re unsure whether or not your insurance provider covers your dental treatment, it’s best to give them a call before moving forward.
Contact Mesilla Valley Family Dentistry
Laser dentistry can improve your oral health and provide you with a quicker recovery period. Contact us at (575) 523-5589 or fill out our contact form below to see how these procedures can improve your smile.
Emergency Dental Care in Las Cruces, NM
Have you recently experienced an injury that caused your tooth to break or even fall out? Dental emergencies are unpredictable and can result in serious consequences if not taken care of immediately. However, Dr. Borham offers emergency dental care for his patients.
Injuries can occur at any time, so don’t hesitate to call Dr. Borham, your late-night dentist, if you’re in urgent need of dental care. Whether you’re suffering from severe tooth pain or notice that your crown has become loose, we’re here to fix your damaged smile and ease your pain.
How to Handle a Dental Emergency
In order for Dr. Borham to save your tooth and eliminate your pain as quickly as possible, we recommend that you call as soon as your tooth is injured. You can reach him at (575) 323-1879 to explain your situation. He’ll either have you come in to have your tooth fixed or give you additional instructions.
If you can’t get ahold of Dr. Borham for any reason or your dental emergency is life-threatening, call 911 or visit your local hospital immediately.
Financing Your Emergency Dental Care
Our goal is to make even your unexpected dental visits as stress-free as possible, so we offer a variety of payment options. You’ll be able to pay for your emergency dental care using cash, checks, money orders, or credit cards. We’ll bill your insurance on file if you prefer to cover the service that way.
If you can’t pay for your treatment at the time of the service, CareCredit is a great option that allows you to pay for it over a period of six to 24 months.
Emergency Tooth Extractions & Oral Surgery
At Mesilla Valley Family Dentistry, we do our best to keep your natural teeth healthy and beautiful. However, if a tooth becomes cracked, broken, or lose, the only option may be to extract it. If necessary, Dr. Borham will perform a same-day tooth extraction to prevent your gums and other teeth from becoming infected or damaged as well.
Before we extract your tooth, we’ll provide you with an anesthetic to ensure you are relaxed and comfortable throughout the entire process. Having your tooth extracted will relieve any pressure or pain you were feeling after your injury.
Emergency Fillings & Crowns Repair
Fillings and crowns don’t always last forever and can become loose or fall out. This can occur when you bite down on something too hard or if the tooth becomes decayed. Luckily, we offer emergency tooth fillings and crowns.
If you notice damage to your restoration, call Dr. Borham immediately. Until you can make it to our office, do your best to keep the restoration and the area around it clean.
Emergency Root Canal Therapy
Are you experiencing pain shooting through your tooth? If so, it could be a sign of a serious problem, and we recommend you contact us right away. It’s possible that you’re in need of an emergency root canal.
This treatment is used to restore teeth that are severely decayed. In order for Dr. Borham to save your tooth, he’ll remove all the bacteria in your tooth and its roots. The tooth will be filled a dental material and sometimes covered with a crown to make sure it remains healthy.
If you’re experiencing severe tooth pain on Saturday or Sunday, contact Dr. Borham at his emergency number to learn about his weekend root canal availability.
Emergency Dental Implants and Dentures Care
Just like your natural teeth, tooth replacements such as dental implants and dentures can become damaged, too. An accident can cause them to become loose or broken, and bacteria can cause the gums around them to develop an infection.
Dentures that don’t fit well can cause pain as well as oral health issues, so it’s essential to contact us if you notice anything different about the way your dentures look or feel. Dr. Borham may have you schedule a same-day appointment so he can fix them as soon as possible.
Dental implants have a high success rate, but it’s possible to experience complications after the procedure. While dentists do their best to keep your mouth bacteria-free during your implant surgery, these tiny particles sometimes find their way into the implant site and cause infection.
Your gums contain multiple nerves and blood vessels that can be damaged if they experience trauma. This may result in tingling or temporary to permanent loss of feeling in parts of your jaw. However, if you experience consistent mouth pain after your dental implants have healed, contact Dr. Borham to schedule a check-up. He’ll evaluate your implants and eliminate your discomfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's considered a dental emergency?
Dental emergencies can occur suddenly or worsen over time. If you’re experiencing pain in your mouth, you may be in need of immediate care. Contact us if any of the following issues occur:
- Cracked teeth
- Knocked-out teeth
- Extreme mouth pain
- Facial swelling
- Bumps or knots on your gums
- Bleeding in the mouth
What do I do in case of a dental emergency?
Dental injuries or infections can be painful, so knowing how to deal with them can minimize the feeling until you’re able to get proper care. It’s essential that you give us a call right away at 575-523-5589 so that Dr. Borham can examine you as soon as possible.
Until you can come into our office, we recommend applying a warm compress to the area of your face that is swollen or causing pain. If you crack a tooth or notice your mouth is bleeding, rinse it out with warm salt water to eliminate bacteria.
Is a cracked tooth a dental emergency?
A cracked tooth is considered a dental emergency and should be treated as soon as possible. While it might not be painful at first, the tooth will become susceptible to decay and further damage as time goes on.
Is an abscess a dental emergency?
A dental abscess means that your tooth is infected and is considered a dental emergency. The bacteria can quickly spread to surrounding teeth as well as your gums and jawbone. Dr. Borham will need to remove the abscessed area and restore the tooth with the necessary restoration.
Is losing a crown a dental emergency?
A lost crown isn’t always a dental emergency, but Dr. Borham may want to evaluate your situation over the phone if this occurs. Lost crowns may lead to tooth sensitivity, but don’t put your tooth at direct risk for immediate damage.
We may recommend that you simply keep that area of your mouth clean and store the crown in a safe place until we can see you.
What should I do if a tooth is knocked out?
We’re all at risk for having a tooth knocked out. More than 5 million teeth are knocked out every year! If we know how to handle this emergency situation, we may be able to actually save the tooth. Teeth that are knocked out may be possibly reimplanted if we act quickly, yet calmly, and follow these simple steps:
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Locate the tooth and handle it only by the crown (chewing part of the tooth), NOT by the roots.
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DO NOT scrub or use soap or chemicals to clean the tooth. If it has dirt or debris on it, rinse it gently with your own saliva or whole milk. If that is not possible, rinse it very gently with water.
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Get to a dentist within 30 minutes. The longer you wait, the less chance there is for successful reimplantation.
Ways to transport the tooth
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Try to replace the tooth back in its socket immediately. Gently bite down on gauze, a wet tea bag or on your own teeth to keep the tooth in place. Apply a cold compress to the mouth for pain and swelling as needed.
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If the tooth cannot be placed back into the socket, place the tooth in a container and cover with a small amount of your saliva or whole milk. You can also place the tooth under your tongue or between your lower lip and gums. Keep the tooth moist at all times. Do not transport the tooth in a tissue or cloth.
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Consider buying a “Save-A-Tooth” storage container and keeping it as part of your home first aid kit. The kit is available in many pharmacies and contains a travel case and fluid solution for easy tooth transport.
The sooner the tooth is replaced back into the socket, the greater the likelihood it has to survive and possibly last for many years. So be prepared, and remember these simple steps for saving a knocked-out tooth.
You can prevent broken or knocked-out teeth by:
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Wearing a mouthguard when playing sports
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Always wearing your seatbelt
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Avoiding fights
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Avoid chewing hard items such as ice, popcorn kernels, hard breads, etc.
Contact Dr. Borham with Your Dental Emergencies
Dental emergencies are unpredictable but can cause serious damage if left untreated. If you ARE a patient of record, contact Dr. Borham at (575) 323-1879 if you experience severe tooth pains or any notice any issues with your restorations. His patients are his top priority, and he’ll have your damaged teeth fixed quickly. If you are NOT a patient of record, contact the office at 575-523-5589.
Your Guide to Dental Implants in Las Cruces
Dental implants provide a long-term solution that comes closer than any other treatment to restoring not just the aesthetics of the tooth, but the functionality as well. An implant can protect your jawbone and provide the restoration with the strength and support of a natural root. In fact, your body accepts it as organic and anchors it in place with natural bone tissue.
Isn’t that remarkable?
How do Dental Implants Work?
Dental implants take away from the frustrations of dentures because they don’t slip or fall out. Instead, implants are placed along the jaw and held in place by the body, which accepts the implant as if it were a natural tooth root, generating bone that weaves through the implant and holds it tightly in place.
Once you’ve decided on the right treatment plan, you’ll come back to our office for the surgery. Depending on your oral health needs and your treatment plan, we’ll place the implants along the jaw during a single visit.
The Dental Implant Process
Dental implants are the most effective way to restore missing teeth, and we’ll make sure you’re completely satisfied with your results. That’s why Dr. Borham will get to know you and find out your oral needs during your first consultation with him. We’ll take a 3D digital impression of your mouth using an i-CAT CBCT machine.
After you’ve chosen one of our implant solutions, you’ll come back to our office to have your new restorations placed. We make sure your implants are as functional as possible, which is why we place them into your jawbone through a process called osseointegration.
Once your implant fixtures have fully healed, Dr. Borham will attach your stunning porcelain crowns to them using titanium abutment connecting pieces.
Before
After
Immediate, Same-Day Dental Implants
Implants integrate with the jawbone through a process known as osseointegration, into which we go into greater depth further down the page.
Traditionally, the area of the implant is left uncovered by a dental crown until the surgery site heals. Same-day implants allow you to walk out of our office on the day of the surgery with a temporary dental crown that looks and feels organic and natural.
Candidacy for the treatment must be determined during an initial consultation.
While same-day implants allow you to walk out with a crown on the same day as the surgery, this does come with risks as undue pressure on, or movement of, the implant can cause it to fail.
Implant-Retained Hybrid Dentures
Do your dentures slip and slide? Is your jawline beginning to appear sunken?
Loose and ill-fitting removable dentures are uncomfortable and aren’t doing your oral health any favors. Likewise, they can slur or impair your speech, restrict what you can eat, and cause the jawbone to weaken.
A hybrid, or snap-on, denture, also commonly referred to as an overdenture, offers the flexibility of removable dentures with the strength, robustness, and longevity of dental implants. Using implants to anchor the dentures into place along the jaw, these dentures firmly “snap” into place, providing a greater rate of functionality and comfort.
Furthermore, because they use dental implants to remain in place, hybrid dentures help restore your jawbone’s health and prevent premature wrinkling around the jawline.
Before
After
Dental Sedation with Implants
Most people suffer from dental anxiety to one degree or another. It’s a perfectly reasonable feeling and there are solutions that can make the procedure more comfortable.
We offer nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation. Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, works by combining a sedative with oxygen and delivering it through a mask. Oral conscious sedation is typically delivered in the form of a pill. Both are safe and effective options.
While sedated, you’ll still be awake and able to respond to the dentist. You’ll simply feel more relaxed and at ease while we perform the treatment.
Dental sedation is an especially fantastic option for patients who require multiple procedures, since it allows us to perform more work in the same day, reducing the total number of dental visits you’ll make to our office.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do dental implants feel like?
Dental implants function exactly like your natural teeth. You never have to worry about taking special care of them or finding some special solution to soak them in. If you’ve spent several years without teeth, you’ll come out of the implant procedure feeling like a new, more confident person. To get started, give us a call at (575) 523-5589 or fill out a contact form and we’ll schedule your free consultation with Dr. Borham.
How do I care for my new implants?
Caring for your dental implants is as simple as taking care of your natural teeth. Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a soft-bristled brush, floss daily, and schedule a routine dental exam and cleaning every six months. This will ensure healthy teeth and gums to last for years to come. Should you decide to get implants, it’s important to follow a healthy diet that is limited in sugar so that surrounding teeth, bone, and gums don’t decay.
Am I a candidate for dental implants?
An ideal candidate for dental implants should be relatively healthy, sufficient jaw bone density, and have any pre-existing issues, like periodontal (gum) disease, addressed before surgery. The only way to find out if you’re a candidate is to schedule an appointment with Dr. Borham. He’ll review your medical history, examine your oral health, and determine whether dental implants are right for you.
Does insurance cover dental implants?
Some dental insurance companies provide partial coverage for the dental implant process, but few companies don’t. We recommend contacting your provider to get a better understanding of your coverage before your initial consultation. We are providers for multiple dental insurances and offer various flexible financing options. If you’d like, a member of our staff can call them for you to ensure you receive the maximum benefits possible. Contact our Las Cruces practice at (575) 523-5589 to get started today.
If you feel dissatisfied with some aspect of your smile, you may be considering dental veneers as a cosmetic treatment. A veneer is an extremely thin piece of ceramic that adheres to the front surface of one of your front teeth to cover a minor cosmetic problem. Some of the most common ones include teeth staining, a crack or chip in a tooth, or a misshapen tooth. A veneer is also an ideal treatment option when the gap between your two front teeth is larger than normal.
At Mesilla Valley Family Dentistry, we understand that you have many factors to consider when it comes to getting a veneer or another type of cosmetic dentistry procedure. We discuss some of the pros and cons below to help you make the best treatment decision possible.
Dental Veneers are Typically Irreversible
You may require shaping of some of your teeth to receive a veneer, which is a process that we can’t reverse. It all depends on your specific dental issue and whether the current shape of your teeth could support a new veneer or not. This isn’t necessarily a negative, but it’s something to consider before you commit to the procedure.
Larger Out-of-Pockets Costs than Other Dental Procedures
Most dental insurers don’t cover this procedure since they consider it purely cosmetic. However, you should check with your individual provider for possible exceptions. Mesilla Valley Family Dentistry works with many dental insurance companies and can submit a request for benefits on your behalf. Even when you do need to pay the entire cost yourself, we accept several forms of credit as payment. We encourage you to apply for CareCredit if you don’t already have an account. You may be able to finance your veneer procedure interest-free as well as have several months to pay it off.
A Simple Procedure Completed in Only Two Visits
One thing that patients especially appreciate about dental veneers is that they only need to schedule two appointments to receive them. During the first session, Dr. Borham or Dr. Oushy take X-rays of your teeth as well as impressions. They use this information to direct our laboratory technicians to create your customized veneer. When you return for your second appointment, your dentist will coat your tooth with a dental bonding agent, apply the veneer, and use a curing light to force it to harden in place.
Veneers are Long-Lasting and Can Transform Your Smile
As long as you don’t subject your veneer to unnecessary stress, you can expect it to last 15 to 20 years before requiring replacement. It’s also important to commit to a daily oral hygiene routine that includes brushing and flossing every morning and evening. If it feels like your veneer has come loose, don’t hesitate to contact us for a touch-up.
Many patients say that the greatest benefit of veneers is that it gives them renewed confidence in their smile. They don’t think twice about smiling at others because they’re no longer embarrassed about a cosmetic problem.
Are you ready to learn more about transforming your smile with a dental veneer? Just contact our Las Cruces, New Mexico dental practice today to request a cosmetic dentistry consultation.
Many kids keep busy during the summer months off from school by playing on organized sports leagues. As a parent, you want to do everything you can to encourage physical activity and sportsmanship while keeping your child safe at the same time. It’s important to protect his or her teeth and jaws as well as other parts of the body. We encourage you to speak to your regular dentist at Mesilla Valley Family Dentistry to learn more about our customized mouth guards.
The American Dental Association on the Importance of Mouth Guards
An injury to the mouth can knock out teeth, push your child’s upper and lower rows of teeth out of alignment, and cause several other significant injuries. The good news is that it’s possible to prevent most of these injuries simply by wearing a mouth guard. In fact, the American Dental Association (ADA) estimates that including this piece of safety equipment helps to prevent more than 200,000 oral injuries every year.
Most youth sports leagues require participants to wear protective equipment such as helmets, shin pads, goggles, and shoulder pads. Unfortunately, it’s rare for them to require the use of a mouth guard except in hockey. The ADA hopes that its statistics will help change that. Approximately 85 percent of children do not wear mouth guards when playing organized sports according to this well-respected dental organization. Additionally, injuries to the teeth and jaw are the most common type of facial injury in youth sports today.
Playing a sport such as football, lacrosse, basketball, soccer, baseball, martial arts, and wrestling all increase the likelihood that your child will sustain a mouth injury. While you can’t eliminate the risk entirely, you can reduce the possibility of your child losing a tooth, breaking a jaw, or sustaining another significant injury by insisting that he or she wear a mouth guard as a condition of playing sports.
What to Expect When Your Child Receives a Customized Mouth Guard
You can find a one-size-fits-all mouth guard at any sporting goods store. However, we don’t recommend using them because everyone has a unique mouth shape and the device may slide around or fit too tightly. We start the process of creating a customized mouth guard by taking an impression of your child’s upper and lower rows of teeth. Our dentists then mold the impression into a custom-fit mouth guard. Your child should only require one appointment for fitting in most cases.
Caring for the New Mouth Guard
Like all oral appliances, mouth guards wear out eventually. Here is what your child needs to do to keep it lasting as long as possible:
- Store in a protective case when not in use
- Never chew on the device
- Keep it out of the hot sun to prevent melting
- Gently scrub the mouth guard with toothpaste after each use, rinse it with water,
and dry it off before storing
Children grow quickly, especially during the teen years. We recommend bringing your young athlete in at the start of each new season to determine if he or she needs a replacement mouth guard. Please don’t hesitate to contact our Las Cruces, New Mexico dental office if you have additional questions.
While the foods we eat affect the health of our teeth and gums, the same is true of the beverages we drink. Unfortunately, people sometimes overlook this fact when trying to find the cause of their oral health issues.
Because drinks have even more contact with teeth than food does, it’s important to look at the ingredients in the things you drink most often. Many soft drinks, for example, have high sugar and acid content that can cause issues such as tooth decay, a weakening of tooth enamel, and sensitivity. If you’re looking for ways to improve your oral health by what you drink, we offer some suggestions for healthy beverages as well as what to limit or avoid.
You Can’t Go Wrong with Milk, Water, or Tea
Milk has a reputation of being great for bone strength, but it also has the same effect on teeth. The Vitamin D and calcium in milk are especially good for teeth because they help to form a barrier that prevents tooth decay.
Water, whether it’s mineralized or straight from your tap, has important oral health benefits. Bottled water with added minerals contains calcium phosphate, an important element to help strengthen tooth enamel. Water from your faucet is full of fluoride that also strengthens teeth and does a good job at removing food particles.
Green or herbal tea is a good drink choice because both varieties contain antioxidant ingredients that help to prevent tooth staining. Instead of reaching for a glass of wine or soda known to stain your teeth, consider this healthy alternative instead.
Beverages That Can Damage Your Teeth
If you’re a soda lover, the fact that it’s bad for your teeth is one more reason to give it up. The high sugar content, which can be found in both regular and diet sodas, erode tooth enamel and cause tooth staining. When soda is your only option, be sure to drink a glass of water with the equal number of ounces as soon as you can.
Coffee, wine, and black tea are all dark drinks that contribute to teeth staining. If you feel you must have them, consider using a straw to keep as much of the liquid off your teeth as possible. Look for lighter colored alternatives of these beverages as well. Other drinks you may want to avoid include fruit juice for its high acid content and non-mineral bottled water since the bottling process strips it of fluoride. Choosing a fluoride supplement can help to make up for this if you have come to enjoy the flavor of pure bottled water.
Feel free to contact us at Mesilla Valley Family Dentistry if you would like more tips on choosing drinks that improve your oral health rather than potentially harm it.
Our Mission Statement
Mesilla Valley Family Dentistry
Our mission is to provide you with the highest quality of dental care in a professional and honest manner. We will strive to build a long-term relationship with you based on a mutual trust and respect where you feel comfortable talking about any dental concerns you may have without judgment. Our team of dental professionals will incorporate the use of technology and customer service to ensure you the best and most up to date dental care in a comfortable environment. We are committed to educate ourselves continuously and it is our goal to help you achieve optimum oral health while educating you and allowing you to choose the best treatment option you are most comfortable with.