I have been involved with implants since the late 1970s. While I was in dental school, I assisted an adjunct professor (Dr. Leonard Linkow) who came to Temple University to demonstrate implant dentistry. He has the distinction of being the only Dentist in history to be nominated for a Nobel Prize. He was considered a pioneer in the field of Implant Dentistry and I’ve been an enthusiast of this surgery ever since that time.
The first screw-form implants were brought to market by Nobel Company and were named after the inventor
“Dr. Per-Ingvar (Pier) Brånemark (May 3, 1929 – December 20, 2014) who was a Swedish physician and research professor, touted as the father of modern dental implantology.” At launch of the Brånemark System, Nobel refused to train anyone without a surgical residency in their background to place implants. Please see the graphic depiction of a dental implant below. It is my contention that this is the most important criteria, and due to my belief in this stipulation, I do not place implants, and I do not work with anyone who has not completed a surgical residency. I do, however, support and recommend the procedure and work hand in hand with local expert Implantologists who have a surgical background. We make sure that the process is seamless from the time the patient comes to see me who is interested and a good candidate for a successful implant(s) to referral, implant surgery and back to me for follow up. My patients are very happy with this arrangement and particularly pleased with the wonderful outcome!
“An Advancement
The discovery that bone fuses to titanium — a process called osseointegration — led to permanent dental replacements.”1
Implantology has grown and developed to such a degree that it is truely a specialty. The reason for any specialization is because the procedures have become too complex for the practitioner who only occasionally practices that specialty. The monetary investment in this treatment is significant, and as such, a surgeon with the greatest amount of experience is going to provide the most optimal result. All Implantologists are not created equal. Bargain shopping is tantamount to buying a parachute from the cheapest source.
One of my areas of concentration, is complex rehabilitation and reconstruction. I have dedicated a significant portion of my additional studies during my 35 years of practice to the intricacies of complex reconstruction of the human dentition. I work with surgeons who know what I need to obtain optimal results. Expedience should never be a consideration. Excellence is never an accidental occurrence. It is due to the dedication of all practitioners involved in the process to take exact and appropriate steps.
Each human body is unique, and as such, has unique physiological responses to treatments. Every implant based treatment is custom designed to obtain optimal results, and that is what we all want. You deserve the best result that modern dentistry can offer.
- , New York Times Pg A28: Per-Ingvar Branemark, Dental Innovator…..