Dental Implants

What are dental implants?

We love implants!   Dr. Strokowski and Dr. Biebuyck each have 20 years of experience, and together have placed and restored thousands of cases,  insuring predictable and beautiful results.

Implants can support a wide variety of restorations, from single teeth to multi-tooth bridges.  An entire denture can be supported as well. The latter restoration, termed an overdenture, can work wonders for unstable dentures. Just two implant supports will lock down any  loose denture securely – the denture “clips down” onto the supports.

Only genuine PrimaConnex®, Genesis®, and TILOBEMAXX® implants and prosthetics are used. Our implant crowns are porcelain hand-layered by one of Boston’s most talented master ceramists.

Implant placement is minor surgery – don’t be misled by the animation.  The procedure is completed in 45 minutes using standard local anesthetic (“novocaine”). Normal activities can be resumed immediately.

How are dental implants placed?

Please view the animation. The implant refers to the metal cylinder placed into the jaw; the abutment is the post-like structure attached to the implant; the crown is the white porcelain cap covering the abutment.  The surgical phase involves placement of the implant into the jaw, uses standard anesthetic (“novocaine”), and is completed in only 45 minutes.  Surprisingly, the procedure is relatively atraumatic – normal activities can be resumed immediately. Healing and bone maturation require 6 months, after which the implant is integrated, i.e. fully anchored in the bone. (A retainer-like removable denture, sometimes termed a “flipper”, can be worn if esthetics are a concern. ) Once full healing is confirmed, the prosthetics phase, involving construction of the abutment and crown, can begin. As we use a dedicated implant fabrication facility, prosthetics can be completed quickly and precisely in about 2-3 weeks. The final restoration is beautifully esthetic and completely stable, and should last a lifetime with proper hygiene and regular dental cleanings.

The rate of implant rejection is 3% – in these cases the implant site will heal normally, and we repeat the procedure at no charge.  Other than rejection, our office has never had any other implant complications (such as long term jaw numbness, or paresthesia) since introducing implants in 1996.