Your first appointment with us involves gathering and reviewing your personal information and oral health history. X-rays, photos, impressions, a visual exam, and other diagnostic treatments may be necessary to determine the condition of your teeth and gums. After the doctor has determined your dental needs, our team will create a custom treatment plan to help you achieve optimal oral health.

Routine dental cleanings help prevent cavities, gum disease, and other oral health problems. Dentists can clean the parts of the mouth that patients find difficult to reach and often lead to decay or disease. Regular dental cleanings also lower the risk of tooth loss, eliminate bad breath, improve aesthetics, and promote better overall health.

Most dentists recommend that patients visit the dentist every six months. For patients with chronic oral health issues, a dentist may suggest more frequent visits. It’s always best to stick to your dentist’s personal recommendation to prevent the development of cavities or gum disease.

Our doctors at Rio Rancho Smiles offer oral sedation for various reasons. Patients suffering from dental fear or anxiety may require sedation for routine treatments, while others may only request this option when undergoing a lengthy procedure like a tooth extraction. Our dentists determine which type of sedation is necessary based on their expertise, the patient’s anxiety levels, and the procedure being performed.

Dental implants are considered one of the most effective tooth replacement options. Our dentists regularly recommend them to patients. Thankfully, there are very few things that inhibit patients from receiving dental implants.

One of the reasons why dental implant placement is so successful is because dentists can determine a patient’s candidacy easily. Patients should simply be free of gum disease and tooth decay and have enough jawbone to support the implant. If the patient isn’t a suitable candidate at the time of the appointment, our dentists can address any of these problems and move forward with the procedure later.

The most common dental emergencies include severe toothaches, broken teeth, and knocked-out teeth. The first and best thing to do is to contact our office for more detailed instructions.

Here are some basic instructions for these types of emergencies:

For severe tooth pain, try taking over-the-counter pain medication, placing an icepack over the pained area, and rinsing your mouth with saltwater. If you don’t find relief, contact our office as soon as possible.

For broken or knocked-out teeth, patients should locate any fractured tooth fragments, place them in a container of milk or saline, and bring them with you to the dentist’s office.