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The concept of bone grafting is nothing new. In fact it has been an important part of medicine as far back as the early 1600’s and in recent years has become a standard procedure for people who need a dental implant or have had a traumatic jaw injury. Shortly after the invention of the microscope, the Dutch doctor Jacob van Meekeren performed the first bone grafting operation on a soldier with a damaged skull. Unfortunately, back then doctors didn’t have the knowledge or bone grafting materials that we have today and in order to save the soldier, Jacob van Meekeren was forced to use a piece of dog bone as implant material. Van Meekeren was pleased with the surgery’s success, but it wasn’t until the soldier returned asking to have the implant removed that van Meekeren discovered just how successful it really was!

In the 1600’s, the Christian church looked at things a little differently and this poor soldier with a piece of dog bone in his skull was excommunicated after the church considered him to be part dog. What was upsetting for the soldier aided in the discovery of how well bone grafting actually worked. In the process of attempting to remove the bone graft, van Meekeren discovered that the bone had healed too well and was actually irremovable!

Bone grafting developed over the next 150 years and by 1821 the first graft of tissue from one point to another of the same individual’s body, known as an autograft, was performed in Germany. During WWI and WWII, bone grafting continued to develop as more soldiers became crucially wounded and a need for advanced surgeries became necessary. After another fifty years the first synthetic ceramic product was cleared for use in 1991.

As you can see, bone grafting has a much longer history than you might have imagined! To find out if you are a good candidate for bone grafting, give us a call!

One of the most common questions we hear from patients when it comes to dental implants is “Why does it take three separate procedures?”

It helps to understand that within the entire dental implant process, there are not just three stages, there are also three important parts to the final product that replaces your tooth. First, there is the implant itself, which is the metal rod that we surgically implant into the bone. Next, there is the abutment, which connects the implant to the artificial tooth. And lastly, the crown (or prosthetic tooth) itself.

The fact that the process has three physical components alone doesn’t tell the whole story though. Here, we explain why the most commonly employed dental implant method is split up into three separate procedures.

Step One: Placing the Implant

The first stage of the dental implant process is to bury the implant in the jaw bone via a surgical procedure. The dental implant replaces the tooth root, and requires healing time. During this healing time, osseointegration (the integration of the bone with the implant itself) occurs. The bone cells actually attach to the implant rod, filling in the spaces to secure the implant in place for permanent residency.   The healing time usually takes from 3-6 months.

Step Two: Placing the Abutment

The abutment is a post that connects the implant to the prosthetic tooth. Essentially, the abutment is a bridge that spans through the gum line so that the implant itself remains buried. As with the implant, the abutment has a healing period of its own. The gum around the abutment must heal and form a cuff or collar around it before the crown can be placed.

Step Three: The Prosthetic Tooth

Once the implant site and abutment have successfully integrated, the prosthetic tooth is fabricated and installed.

If you have any questions about the dental implant process, give us a call!

The holidays are always a stressful time of year, especially with the abundance of unhealthy food, social gatherings and day-to-day activities. However, one of the most difficult tasks of all is buying gifts. With so many different preferences and way too many options, finding the right gift for someone can be an arduous job. But what if there was a way to easily order a gift that will leave your recipient delighted?

Thankfully, we offer such an option. If your friend or family member has ever mentioned wanting a cosmetic procedure but didn’t have the time or money to go through with it, why not make it happen for him or her? Instead of painstakingly knitting and presenting a flamboyantly decorated Christmas sweater that you know will never be worn, why not give a loved one the gift of cosmetic enhancement surgery?

Cosmetic surgery for Christmas is a relatively unexplored vein of gift giving that is optimal for the buyer and the recipient. Here are just a couple reasons why surgery as a gift is a great option.

• Abundance of surgical/non-surgical options: Recipients will have many options in deciding how they want to improve their body or face.
• No re-gifting!: As the surgery is exclusive for the gift recipient, buyers will no longer have to worry about their gifts being “re-gifted”.
• Spreading holiday cheer: Few things make people happier than improving their physical appearance; so why not help your loved ones achieve their dreams?
• No more gift-buying stress: Unlike searching hours upon hours for the right present to match your recipient’s taste, surgery as a gift is a relatively simple choice that will ensure better, more meaningful results for your friend or family member!

As you can see, surgery as a gift is a much simpler and overall better option, one that will leave your loved one glowing with appreciation and cosmetic improvement. Call us today to schedule surgery as a gift and ensure that everyone’s holidays become a little bit merrier.