3-D Dental Implants

Reported October, 2007

Baltimore, M.D. -- About 100 million Americans are missing teeth. But dentures or crowns can look un-natural and don’t last forever.

For years, Hady Koraym suffered with bad, weakened teeth.

"I always had like, um, pain with cold drinks and hot drinks," Koraym says.

To help stop his suffering, dentists pulled most of his teeth, leaving him without a smile. Now, a new 3-D dental implant procedure gave Koraym permanent teeth in just one hour.

"Most of the patients, they come out with a smile," says Liene Molly, M.D., Ph.D., D.D.S., periodontist from the University of Maryland Dental School in Baltimore, M.D.

Traditional implants can take almost a year to complete. The new procedure is a faster, less painful solution for missing teeth.

"The traditional way of having implants is having two surgeries. So, now we can reduce it to only one surgery. That’s very pleasant for the patient," Dr. Molly says.

Periodontists first use CT scans to make a 3-D model of a patient's mouth. Then, using the model as a guide, doctors locate the exact spot in the mouth to place the implant and crown on top, all in one, minimally invasive surgery.

"You can visualize the bone. You can visualize how the teeth will be and how they can come together in one area," says Deborah Armellini, D.D.S., prosthodontist from the University of Maryland Dental School in Baltimore, M.D.

Prosthodontists say the new procedure is a more accurate and more natural looking solution for patients wanting a return to eating, drinking and smiling with confidence.

"The most exciting thing for me is the ability to give a higher quality of life for patients." Dr. Armellini says.

"Now, I feel very good," says Koraym.

Patients are put under local anesthesia during the procedure. To find a dentist performing the new implant procedure, contact the University of Maryland Dental School at: http://www.umaryland.edu

Click here to Go Inside This Science or contact:

Regina Davis
Communications Director
University of Maryland Dental School
(410) 706-5805
rdavis@umaryland.edu

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