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.

Dr Nick Fahey attended the International Team for Implantology Congress in Liverpool last week. The three day event which was held from the 1-3 December attracted a variety of speakers from the dental profession with a special interest in implantology.

Woodborough House is connected to the ITI as Nick is the host and member for his local ITI Study Club. He has been involved with dental implants since 1994 and has been using Straumann implants since 2000.

The three day programme of events at the ITI Congress included notable and high profile speakers such as Urs Belser and Daniel Buser who spoke about treatment planning in aesthetic sites and implant placement with GBR in complex cases on the Thursday morning. The afternoon programme saw implant restorations in extended edentulous spaces in the anterior maxilla and how to handle cases where the aesthetic implant fails.

Ken Hebel spoke about the role of dental implants in a restorative practice and how to market dental implants as a restorative treatment on the Friday morning, which was followed by a series of sessions based on the topic of ‘Is my patient ready for implants?’

On Friday afternoon Stephen Barter demonstrated an introduction to computer guided implant placement. With particular interest to what Nick does, on Saturday, the last day of the event, there were talks from Alessandro Devigus , Daniel Wismeijer and Daniel Thoma on the role of digital photography, digital imaging and computer technology in surgical and prosthetic implant dentistry.

Nick has recorded a vlog at the event and this will be posted in due course.

Dental implants are a big decision for patients who want to replace missing or rotted teeth. Dr Nick Fahey from Woodborough House specialises in dental implant surgery and as a Specialist Prosthodontist and Implant Dentist, both at his own practice and in Harley Street, he has significant experience of carrying out these procedures. Here, Nick examines the details that patients should be looking for to ensure they get the most professional and long-lasting results.

When choosing dental implants, what should I be looking for?

Nick: I always suggest that as we live in a global community you should be having dental implants fitted by one of the global leading implant systems. That way you will be able to get parts from all around the world and in the years to come if required.

Why do you use Straumann Guided Surgery for dental implants?

Nick: It is essential for flapless surgery, especially when we are doing immediate loading. It is also the best way to get the most accurate implant placement. If I was having an implant I would have a Straumann implant and have it placed using guided surgery.

Explain the benefits of SGS?

Nick: SGS results in more accurate implant placements and better immediate loading. It also results in shorter treatment times and reduced surgical trauma.

Will the dental implants procedure hurt?

Nick: No, you will be given sedation and a local anaesthetic. Post-op discomfort is usually minimal.

Is there anything I will need to be aware of prior to surgery?

Nick: You should reduce or stop smoking and make sure you are fit and well and eating a balanced diet. Getting your oral hygiene sorted out too will also help.

How can I protect my dental implants once the procedure is complete?

Nick: Insurance is available and a bite guard is recommended.

Explain about the various Straumann dental technology which is used throughout the process of the dental implant procedure.

Nick: We have a digital work flow, starting with an iTero scan and then use that to make a stent for CT scanning. This scan is then overlayed onto your CT scan to allow for the very best planning. We then do Straumann Guided Surgery (SGS) to place the implant(s) and then, in appropriate cases we scan at surgery for the final restorations which are taken with a Cad Cam and immediately loaded.

What results can I expect to get compared to the conventional process of a dental implant procedure?

Nick: All of these digital procedures are really about making the conventional process much easier, faster and overall the result is better dental implants.

If you’re interested in learning more about dental implants, why not call the Woodborough House on 0118 984 3108 for more information.

Dr Nick Fahey to present topic at ADI National Members Forum

Dr Nick Fahey is presenting ‘Digital Implant Dentistry – Is it time to move out of the stone age?’  at the ADI National Members Forum this weekend.

The presentation is designed to stimulate debate amongst implant dental professionals and gather discussion about the advantages that digital technology can bring to the arena.

Nick will be showcasing his work to national members of the Association of Dental Implantology and explaining how to convert conventional procedures into digital solutions, including how this can be applied to dental work during the process of planning, impression taking and the design of crowns and bridges.

Nick is to demonstrate some examples of his own work using coDiagnostix planning, iTero digital impression technology and Straumann Guided Surgery software. He will be explaining the benefits that each of these digital devices has brought to the advancement of his own dental work.

The advantages of digital dentistry are clear and Dr Nick will be discussing how these devices can improve patient comfort, efficiency in implant planning, give accurate fabrication and delivery, improve esthetics and reduce the need for  more expensive components to correct manual work.

The presentation will also include a Q&A session and is to be held on Saturday 12^th November from 11.00- 11.30am at King’s College London.

For more information please visit: http://www.adi.org.uk

Be warned! When you watch the above video you may find yourself saying ‘Yikes!’ due to its quite graphic content. While it may look a bit scary, what this footage actually shows is Dr Nick Fahey carrying out a minimally invasive and super precise dental implant surgical procedure which is being performed using the latest technology from Straumann, i.e Straumann Guided Surgery (SGS).

Here at Woodborough House we can and have placed and restored most types of dental implants. Straumann comes highly recommended and Nick himself claims that he if was going to have a dental implant fitted he would have a Straumann implant.

So what is Guided Implant Surgery’?

Virtually placing the implant using a 3d x-ray (CBCT)and specialist software coDiagnostiX, we then use a special instrument called the gonyX, which allows us to transfer the coordinates created in the virtual world with the coDiagnostiX back into the real world.

The coordinates are then used to make the guide for guided implant surgery by our techinicians. The surgery is then carried out following a recipe with special instruments in the Straumann guided surgery cassette.

This form of guided implant surgery is preferred because it provides enhanced security, greater planning accuracy and also makes for better implant placement.  While improved patient comfort and efficiency during the implant treatment planning process are just some of the extra benefits, along with shorter treatment times and improved aesthetics.

Results

At Woodborough House, we have been producing phenomenal results using SGS, especially in crucial treatment areas such as teeth in a day, immediate loading and all-on-4. There are many benefits to these procedures including less appointments, shorter healing times after surgery which results in less time off work, less discomfort and overall better results.  There are less risks involved too compared to other forms of dental implant surgery as there is far more planning required with conventional surgery.

Preparation

As with all oral surgery, there are things you can do to prepare for your upcoming procedure. These include reducing or stopping smoking, reducing alcohol consumption and careful and thorough cleaning of the oral cavity. Eating a balanced diet along with taking supplements such as multivitamins and Vitamin C are just some methods in which you can prepare for this procedure.

What to expect

Guided implant surgery will be a lot less sore or sensitive than traditional surgery, particularly if the procedure carried out is flapless as in the video above. Think of guided implant surgery as the oral equivalent of keyhole surgery.

Costs

The costs of this form of guided implant surgery depend largely on the individual cases involved. For example, in larger cases the benefits probably mean that the cost is ameliorated. But in smaller cases the cost is slightly more. However it all has to be taken into consideration against the costs of this opportunity and whether you will have to take extra days off work and make extra appointments, so there is no ‘one size fits all’ in terms of price.

Normally, patients who are looking to replace complete sets of teeth are advised to have between 6 and 10 dental implants. With the revolutionary ALL-on- 4 dental implant system only four implants are required to secure a complete set of dentures

All-on-Four dental implant technique could be the best solution for those who have lost or about to lose all of their upper /lower teeth. With this you can come as close to having a new set of permanent teeth. You   will never have to remove the replacement teeth again for cleaning because their new teeth can be cleaned just like natural teeth.

The other advantage of ALL-ON-4 implants:

• Requires less time to recover.
• Reduces overall cost as compared to single implants
• Possibly eliminates the need for bone grafting.
• Reinstate the ability to eat all types of foods
• Ensures long-term results with the potential to last a lifetime
• Walk away with the smile in a day
• Shorter treatment time

Wood borough House dental practice has always been in the forefront to adapt latest advancement in dentistry for the benefit of the patients. Introduction I-Tero technology was a soaring success and now the latest one is Teeth-in-a-day. First time ever in Reading – Berkshire we are offering this revolutionary technique for dental implants.

Implant therapy can usually take up to six months and at times it could be painful also. Here Teeth in a day can help as this method that allows you to be fitted with implants and receive the teeth in just one day without the use of   the traditional bone grafting. This method gives quick solution to tooth loss, ill-fitting dentures thereby offering true alternative to traditional implants.

Many people who have been told that they were not suitable for implants can be successfully treated utilising this method.

As restorative dentist and the oral surgeon work together on patients rather than carrying out separate parts of the process at different times. Not only does this cut down the time that you have to spend undergoing treatment, but it also means that you can enjoy a more precise implant placement. At Woodborough House Dental Practice, we are always searching for treatments that can improve patient care and procedure duration. We are sure Teeth-in-a day would help us to further strengthen our commitment to the patients; a confident smile

Recently Nick has answered few interesting questions about dental implants . We are sharing it with followers of our Blog.

Is back tooth worth saving? Should I get implants or crowns?

Q. I have lost a significant part of one of my back teeth. My dentist has built it up as a stop gap but he reckons this is just a temporary solution. Would you recommend getting a crown or an implant? I’m worried that if I get a crown the tooth will be in such a bad start that I will have to have it out eventually anyway

A. Any competent dentist should be able to advise you if the tooth is worth saving. If it is then a crown would be a decent way of approaching the situation.

I smoke and have crowns but they look horrible. What can I do?

Q. hello nick I have had crowns for 10 years upper and lower and they are nasty to look at now i smoke is there anything i can get done as i am on benefits and it is getting me down.

Get your teeth cleaned? Stop smoking.

See more answers

iTero enables a perfect fit and therefore  the  possibility of soreness and swelling associated with a probable  poor fitting is eleminated. A perfect fit will also increase the efficacy of the restoration which would in turn, improves the overall aesthetics.  A restoration will not function as effectively as it could if it doesn’t fit properly.  iTero helps to improve efficacy and also increases patient comfort. iTero also helps to prevent mistakes and patients can benefit from their new restoration  from day one and don’t have to  come back to dentist re-fitting / adjustments . Treatment time is also shorter using iTero.

Many patients also find it very uncomfortable having a mould created, as the sensation of having dental putty in your mouth can be very unpleasant. For some people, this process can stimulate their gag reflex, which may be unpleasant and embarrassing. The process can also be messy and time consuming.

Using iTero can be particularly beneficial for nervous patients and those who suffer from dental phobia, as the feeling of having dental putty in the mouth can be rather uncomfortable and time consuming. iTero simply uses a scanner, which produces images of the mouth within seconds.

Woodboroughhouse Dental practice is one of the pioneer cosmetic dentistry  in UK and making a difference in people’s lives. Contact us to know more about iTero.

Dental Implant.co. UK a leading cosmetic dentistry website where Nick is an active forum member. Here is some  interesting questions about dental implants he has answered recently:

How much would a sinus lift add to the cost of dental implants?

Q. How much would a sinus lift add to the cost of implants? i am a 48 year old woman with no gum condition but loss my incisor through trauma years ago.,

A. A sinus lift is not usually needed for an incisor. If you are missing a premolar/ molar then I would charge anything from £200 to £1200 depending on it’s complexity.

What is the cost of dental crowns after getting implants?

Q. what is the going rate for dental crowns after getting an implant? I need to know as soon as possible so hope you get back to me

A. It depends on who is doing them and what needs to be done. Unfortunately, without knowing what stage of the treatment you are at it would be misleading to suggest a ball park figure.

Can you tell me how much it would cost for a bone graft and how many implants mouth can actually hold?

Q. can you tell me how much it would cost for a bone graft and how many implants can your mouth hold?

A. from £1200, although full mouth grafting could be more like £12,000 and could allow you to get 18 implants for example.

There is silver/metal on the surface of my crown, but I didn’t expect there to be any metal showing. Is this normal?

Q. I had an implant placed a few months ago and just had the crown fitted (2nd premolar upper). I thought it was just the cement etc but now that I’ve brushed my teeth there’s silver/metal on the surface of the crown – it looks like a small filling. I didn’t think there would be any metal showing – is this normal?

A. No, not unless it has been discussed with you first. Usually pretty easy to fix though.

To see more or to ask a Nick a question visit: http://www.dentalimplant.co.uk/blog/category/experts-answers/dr-fahey