Need for Second Implant Surgery Eliminated by DemDetect
Q: I thought after having one surgery to place my implants that I was done until the crowns were put in. Why did the doctor have to cut the gum open again and stitch me up just to make the crowns?
A: Over the weekend I was doing some shade-tree automotive repairs which usually results in the local fire department joining in the fun or the local ER staff asking me: “You again? What were you trying to fix this time?”
I came a across an interesting word. Did you know the button you move on your rearview mirror to dim out the bright lights of the putz tailgating you at night is called the “anti-dazzle button”? I feel like Cher had a say in this. I envision her at a board meeting at GM: “Ok boys! How about we call it the “dazzle” button! (And then breaks into “If I could turn back time.”)
After implants are placed, often they are submerged below the gum line, flush to the bone so as not be hit by temporary dentures, your other teeth or hard foods, which can make them, fail. This would warrant an uncovering surgery three to four months later involving scalpels, incisions, flaps and sutures, plus another two to four week delay in taking the final impressions for the permanent teeth or “snap-on” denture.
There are two methods we use very often that eliminates this second surgery:
- Using a specialized metal detector called the DemDetect; invented by an Israeli company that sues mine detection technology in locating submerged implants. Once the detector beeps and flashes a single green light, we simply uncover the implant with a laser, which removes a tiny circular piece of tissue over the implant in seconds.
- After we place an implant, a healing abutment, which looks like the head of a screw, is attached to the implant, which prevents the gum from growing over it. “No-Goop” impressions can then be made with a digital impression scanner called iTero.
Feel free to give us a call for a consultation on this “dazzling” technology.