Woodborough House dental implant surgery goes live via facebook broadcast
Woodborough House recently undertook a live surgery broadcast over facebook. Dr Nick Fahey explains how it went and why this was a ground breaking move for the dental practice.
Q: Woodborough recently did a live surgery broadcast via facebook. Can you explain how it went/why this was a ground breaking move for the practice?
Dr Nick Fahey: Considering this was the first time we had done this and it was done a little on the fly, we were very pleased. We were planning on doing the live surgery for a few dentists for our final ITI study club of the year. However, demand meant that we needed to organise it so we could show the surgery on a big screen as we had 20 or so people attending. It seemed a logical progression that if we were doing this, then why not pump it live onto the world wide web.
Q: During the live surgery, you used an Ostell mentor. Can you explain why you prefer using this kind of equipment?
Dr Nick Fahey: The Ostell is a resonance frequency device. In effect it measures the stiffness of the implant in the bone. This is one of the tools we use in deciding on our loading protocols or whether we plan on digitally scanning the patient at the time of surgery. Let’s face it, it is better for everybody if the treatment can be completed in as few steps as possible.
Q: Why did you choose to specialise in dental implants?
Dr Nick Fahey: I am a specialist prosthodontist, who is heavily involved with dental implants. I came from a surgical back ground so I feel I offer the best of both worlds, someone who can restore dental implants as well as do the surgery to place them.
Q: How long does the implant surgery procedure take to complete?
Dr Nick Fahey: On the night it was just under an hour to place two dental implants, however we were explaining what we were doing and a simple case can usually be done in 20 minutes. More complicated cases where we place 18 dental implants with immediate loading (teeth-in-a-day) can take all day to deliver.
Q: Explain about the various Straumann dental technology which is used throughout the dental implant procedure
Dr Nick Fahey: We used an iTero digital scanner to intra orally scan the patients dentition, a scanning template was then made on the cadent milled model. This scanning template was worn by the patient when we took the CBCT. This information as well as the digital scan of the teeth were imported into coDiagnostiX, a virtual planning tool for dental implant placement.
Then once the surgery was planned a set of coordinates where transferred to the lab for use of a gonyX to fabricate a guided surgery template. This was used for guided surgery, using special Straumann instrumentation.
At the time of surgery due to the high ISQ reading from the Ostell and the subjective feel of the density of the bone, the decision was made to scan this patient at the surgical appointment using the iTero. The advantage of this being we can then have temporary restorations ready for her uncover appointment.
Q: After the live surgery broadcast – what kind of results did the patient achieve?
Dr Nick Fahey: Fantastic! The patient had no bruising or swelling. She had experienced minimal discomfort and did not even need any sutures removed as it had been a totally flapless procedure. The patient even returned to work the next day! The implants were all stable and we have booked the next appointment for the provision of her temporary restorations.
This patient testimonial reads “Nick and the Woodborough team showed nothing but kindness and patience during my treatment. I cannot thank them enough for their cooperation and understanding. For the first time I have a smile that I am proud of and happy with. My implants are of the highest quality and the procedure was executed so professionally and with great ease. i am so thankful for all they have done for me. I wish you all the best in the future. Regards and many thanks.”
The message reads, on the left hand side “Dear Nick & lovely assistants, Thank you so very much. Holly is absolutely delighted with her new teeth. We couldn’t have wished for a better outcome and to top it all, you and your staff members are truly professional and very kind. Best wishes.” Whilst on the right-hand side, it reads “Dear Nick and Team. Thank you so much for all you have done and for changing my smile! I am ever so happy with the results.”
