Page 27 - Inspire Health May/June 2016
P. 27
a reason to
SMILE
Implants
There’s something endearing revolutionize
about a 6‑year‑old’s dentistry
gap‑toothed grin.
When an adult is missing teeth, By Patrick O’Donnell
however, the consequences are more
serious than an “aw, shucks,” look. relatively simple and fast. Implants, do, and there’s minimal pain — we’re
Saunders says, have become “the talking some Advil the night of the
“There’s certainly a social stigma standard of care for replacing a surgery, and that’s it.”
to not having teeth,” says Dr. Wayne missing tooth.”
Saunders, managing partner of St. Luke’s The implant procedure is, quite
OMS — Your Center for Oral Surgery. In the past, he says, the usual remedy literally, allowing oral surgeons like Dr.
The issue, however, goes much deeper was to install a dental bridge: two or Saunders to change people’s lives.
than that: It causes a cascade of oral more crowns on the teeth on either
health problems. side of the gap, and a false tooth in “We’re talking about people who
the middle. That procedure, though, couldn’t smile or chew before,” Saunders
“If someone loses a tooth, they required “shaving down” the healthy says. “A lot of people think of implants as
sometimes say, ‘Ah, it’s just one tooth.’ teeth to anchor the bridge. a cosmetic issue, but they’re becoming
But unfortunately, over time, you lose almost a necessity.”
the bone structure underneath, too. Procedures to replace or save teeth
And a missing tooth starts a domino also used to take much longer. “It used That’s because the procedure not
effect — teeth will shift in your mouth; to take six months … now in our office only restores self‑confidence, it also
you’ll compensate by chewing on the it can sometimes be done in a day. It’s helps patients meet nutritional needs
other side, wearing down those teeth certainly a lot faster now,” Saunders says. by removing limitations on the types of
faster ... next thing you know, you’re food they can eat. “Implants are not a
missing a tooth on the other side, too. Oral surgery has advanced to the luxury,” Saunders says. “You’re restoring
I sometimes tell my patients, ‘It’s like point that the implant process can quality of life.”
driving an 18‑wheeler with 17 wheels: replace removable fixtures such as
You may get away with it, but it’s not dentures. “If someone has no teeth, or Dr. Wayne Saunders,
good for the other 17 wheels.’ ” just a few good teeth left, or even has managing partner
multiple teeth that are failing, our team of St. Luke’s OMS
The good news is, today’s method at St. Luke’s OMS can do a procedure
for replacing a tooth — or teeth — is that’s called a ‘hybrid prosthesis,’ or
‘teeth in a day.’ The high success of
implants means we no longer have to
rely on dentures or heroic surgeries
to save a few of someone’s remaining
teeth,” Saunders says. “It’s safe, easy to
SMILE
Implants
There’s something endearing revolutionize
about a 6‑year‑old’s dentistry
gap‑toothed grin.
When an adult is missing teeth, By Patrick O’Donnell
however, the consequences are more
serious than an “aw, shucks,” look. relatively simple and fast. Implants, do, and there’s minimal pain — we’re
Saunders says, have become “the talking some Advil the night of the
“There’s certainly a social stigma standard of care for replacing a surgery, and that’s it.”
to not having teeth,” says Dr. Wayne missing tooth.”
Saunders, managing partner of St. Luke’s The implant procedure is, quite
OMS — Your Center for Oral Surgery. In the past, he says, the usual remedy literally, allowing oral surgeons like Dr.
The issue, however, goes much deeper was to install a dental bridge: two or Saunders to change people’s lives.
than that: It causes a cascade of oral more crowns on the teeth on either
health problems. side of the gap, and a false tooth in “We’re talking about people who
the middle. That procedure, though, couldn’t smile or chew before,” Saunders
“If someone loses a tooth, they required “shaving down” the healthy says. “A lot of people think of implants as
sometimes say, ‘Ah, it’s just one tooth.’ teeth to anchor the bridge. a cosmetic issue, but they’re becoming
But unfortunately, over time, you lose almost a necessity.”
the bone structure underneath, too. Procedures to replace or save teeth
And a missing tooth starts a domino also used to take much longer. “It used That’s because the procedure not
effect — teeth will shift in your mouth; to take six months … now in our office only restores self‑confidence, it also
you’ll compensate by chewing on the it can sometimes be done in a day. It’s helps patients meet nutritional needs
other side, wearing down those teeth certainly a lot faster now,” Saunders says. by removing limitations on the types of
faster ... next thing you know, you’re food they can eat. “Implants are not a
missing a tooth on the other side, too. Oral surgery has advanced to the luxury,” Saunders says. “You’re restoring
I sometimes tell my patients, ‘It’s like point that the implant process can quality of life.”
driving an 18‑wheeler with 17 wheels: replace removable fixtures such as
You may get away with it, but it’s not dentures. “If someone has no teeth, or Dr. Wayne Saunders,
good for the other 17 wheels.’ ” just a few good teeth left, or even has managing partner
multiple teeth that are failing, our team of St. Luke’s OMS
The good news is, today’s method at St. Luke’s OMS can do a procedure
for replacing a tooth — or teeth — is that’s called a ‘hybrid prosthesis,’ or
‘teeth in a day.’ The high success of
implants means we no longer have to
rely on dentures or heroic surgeries
to save a few of someone’s remaining
teeth,” Saunders says. “It’s safe, easy to
