Implant innovations

Paul Bradshaw of Cape Girardeau can now bite into an apple and not worry about dislodging his lower denture plate.

Four implants have replaced his lower plate. Each implant into his jawbone carries enough teeth that, when bridged together, form the lower set of teeth.

Dr. David Kaelin is one of a number of dentists using a technique to install dental implants to reduce the time it used to take from when the implants were placed into the patient's jawbone, through the healing process, to the final product.

Dr. David Kaelin used four dental implants in Paul Bradshaw's jaw to attach teeth that form a complete lower set.

The technique allows a dentist to install the metal implants into the bone and then attach a temporary set of teeth to them so the patient can have a fixed bridge while his gums heal.

Dr. Randy Begley of Cape Girardeau says in his practice implants are a team project: A dental surgeon installs the implants and a general dentist then adds the bridges. Kaelin does the entire procedure.

Before this procedure became available, Kaelin said, patients would wait four to six months after their implants were installed while their gum healed.

Screws are used to attach the teeth to the implants in the jaw.

"If they wore dentures, they would have to go without the denture up to three weeks while they were healing," he said.

Then it would be another four to six weeks before they could get their replacement denture that fit over the implants.

With this implant procedure the patients walk out of the dentist's office with a temporary bridge. They might have to eat a soft-food diet for a couple of days, but once it's comfortable for them, they can eat whatever they want.

Then 12 weeks later they come back for their permanent bridge.

As research into dental implants evolves, the amount of time it takes to install the permanent appliances shortens.

Begley says he learned recently of a fluoride-integrated implant that takes only six weeks from the first office visit to a permanent bridge.

"It's amazing how quickly we're finding materials that bond to the jaw," Begley said.

The implants work best for patients who can't wear a denture, Kaelin said.

Bradshaw still has his upper denture, but the lower ones had become impossible to wear.

"The gums shrink over the years," he said. "This is what I wound up doing."

The new teeth feel just as natural as real teeth, he said. He brushes and flosses like he would his real teeth. But twice a year, when he comes in for his routine checkup, Kaelin will unscrew the implants to remove them so a hygienist can clean them.

"For people who have to have extractions and are going to get dentures for the first time, this is a great procedure, " Kaelin said.

Anyone who may be interested in dental implants should consult with his dentist for a procedure or a referral.

lredeffer@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 160