New Implant Technology: Better, Faster, Stronger

Q: I see that most dentists nowadays do implants. How can I be sure the office I am considering is not outdated and using old technology for this kind of work?

Side Note: Today is National Cat Herders Day! Although the only job remotely close to cat herding is working at your local animal shelter, this holiday is not dedicated to cats. This celebration is meant for those who can manage others and themselves no matter what chaos is thrown their way.

The idiom, “like herding cats,” was popularized during a Super Bowl commercial in 2000 by “Hewlett Packard.” They compared their ability to serve others like cowboys herding cats – with ease.

I had a cat in dental school, Max Bernstein. He had a deadpan delivery like comedian Steven Wright and constantly licked his own groin. I once asked him: “Why do you do this all the time?!” He responded: in the tone of a question: “Because I can?”

I noticed that the methods and materials in my practice for implant surgery and restorations are nothing like they were just a few years ago. Here are the changes:

• Both the surgery and the final crown and bridge stages are done by me in one office. No additional out- of -office doctors are used.
• Digital x-rays and/or CT scans are taken for treatment planning
• Many of our cases are done in a No-Cut method: No scalpels, flaps, stitches and need for a second surgery to uncover the implants, months later.
• Often we place the implant at the same time as the tooth is removed.
• Osstell sound wave devices test the implants for stability to monitor and measure healing.
• Digital impression are used vs the goopy molds for more accuracy and increased patient comfort.
• Special implants by Hahn Inc. for upper implants where the bone is very soft to eliminate failed implants. Biomet implants that allow digital impressions to be used as stated above.
• Bone graft putties increasing the amount of solid bone for better implant anchorage.

Please feel free to take a tour of our office for more details on what is new and what really works in implant dentistry. Give us a call or drop us an email today!