My name is Dr. Thomas E. Helfst. I was born and raised in West Islip, New York. Im a Board-certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon who received my undergraduate degree in Biology from Hofstra University, New York and my Doctorate in Dental Surgery degree from The State University of New York at Stony Brook in 1993. I did my residency at Lincoln Medical Center in the Bronx, New York. I established my practice, Stroud Oral and Facial Surgery in 2001, I have been in private practice since 1999. I am a diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and National Dental Board of Anesthesiology. I belong to a number of organizations: American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, American College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, American Society of Cosmetic Surgery, American Academy of Implant Dentistry, Academy of Osseointegration, American Dental Association, and my local dental society, Monroe County Dental Association.
I have devoted my professional career to all aspects of Oral and Facial Surgery practice with special interests in the treatment of Facial Cosmetic Surgery, Dental Implants and Anesthesia for patient comfort. To keep abreast of the latest developments in Oral and Facial Surgery, I have always exceeded the continuing education requirements of the state of Pennsylvania.
My hobbies include photography, travel, tennis, skiing, vintage European automobile collecting. Ive been married since 1995 to my wife, Marina who is also a Doctor of Dental Surgery in the field of prosthodontics. We have two children: Montserrat and Margarita.
Dental implants are changing the way people live. They are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth which look, feel and function like natural teeth. The person who has lost teeth regains the ability to eat virtually anything, knowing that teeth appear natural and that facial contours will be preserved. Patients with dental implants can smile with confidence.
The implants themselves are tiny titanium posts, which are inserted into the jawbone where teeth are missing. These metal anchors act as tooth root substitutes. They are surgically placed into the jawbone. The bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. Small posts are then attached to the implant, which protrude through the gums. These posts provide stable anchors for artificial replacement teeth.
For most patients, the placement of dental implants involves two surgical procedures. First, implants are placed within your jawbone. For the first three to six months following surgery, the implants are beneath the surface of the gums gradually bonding with the jawbone. You should be able to wear temporary dentures and eat a soft diet during this time. At the same time, your dentist is forming new replacement teeth.
After the implant has bonded to the jawbone, the second phase begins. Dr. Helfst will uncover the implants and attach small posts, which will act as anchors for the artificial teeth. These posts protrude through the gums. When the artificial teeth are placed, these posts will not be seen. The entire procedure usually takes six to eight months. Most patients experience minimal disruption in their daily life.
Using the most recent advances in dental implant technology, Dr. Helfst is able to place single stage implants. These implants do not require a second procedure to uncover them, but do require a minimum of six weeks of healing time before artificial teeth are placed. There are even situations where the implants can be placed at the same time as a tooth extraction - further minimizing the number of surgical procedures. Advances in dental implant technology have made it possible, in select cases, to extract teeth and place implants with crowns at one visit. This procedure, called immediate loading, greatly simplifies the surgical process.
Implants are a team effort between an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon and a Restorative Dentist. While Dr. Helfst performs the actual implant surgery, and initial tooth extractions and bone grafting if necessary, the restorative dentist (your dentist) fits and makes the permanent prosthesis. Your dentist will also make any temporary prosthesis needed during the implant process.
A single prosthesis (crown) is used to replace one missing tooth each prosthetic tooth attaches to its own implant. A partial prosthesis (fixed bridge) can replace two or more teeth and may require only two or three implants. A complete dental prosthesis (fixed bridge) replaces all the teeth in your upper or lower jaw. The number of implants varies depending upon which type of complete prosthesis (removable or fixed) is recommended. A removable prosthesis (over denture) attaches to a bar or ball in socket attachments, whereas a fixed prosthesis is permanent and removable only by the dentist.
Dr. Helfst performs in-office implant surgery in a hospital-style operating suite, thus optimizing the level of sterility. Inpatient hospital implant surgery is for patients who have special medical or anesthetic needs or for those who need extensive bone grafting from the jaw, hip or tibia.
Once you learn about dental implants, you finally realize there is a way to improve you life. When you lose several teeth whether its a new situation or something you have lived with for years chances are you have never become fully accustomed to losing such a vital part of yourself.
A Swedish scientist and orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Per-Ingvar Branemark, developed this concept for oral rehabilitation more than thirty-five years ago. With his pioneering research, Dr. Branemark opened the door to a lifetime of renewed comfort and self-confidence for millions of individuals facing the frustration and embarrassment of tooth loss.
There are several reasons: Why sacrifice the structure of surrounding good teeth to bridge a space? In addition, removing a denture or a partial at night may be inconvenient, not to mention that dentures that slip can be uncomfortable and rather embarrassing.
If you are considering implants, your mouth must be examined thoroughly and your medical and dental history reviewed. If you mouth is not ideal for implants, ways of improving outcome, such as bone grafting, may be recommended.
This technology was recently developed by Nobel Biocare and allows for collaboration between both the restorative doctor and the surgeon. This merging of knowledge and experience achieves not only increased safety, but also a more precise implant placement. In addition, the fabrication of a final prosthesis is completed prior to the surgery. The computer-guided implant surgery is done in an arthroscopic fashion without requiring any flap reflection. This benefits the patient in that there is less postoperative discomfort, less swelling and less bruising. Patients can often resume their normal activities the next day.
The process starts when a CAT scan is taken of the patient's jawbone. This CAT scan allows for the generation of a three-dimensional model of the jawbone that can then be used in virtual reality software to plan the implant placement without the presence of the patient. The results are more accurate implant placement, and less chair time for the patient at the surgery office.
Reviews
Rating 4.5 out of 5 based on 16 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestAnastasiya G
a year ago
Empathetic and demanding - that's what makes him outstanding. His team is excellent and after a nightmare I went through with a dozen dentists, I feel that I finally got a break. I was tired and depressed. I lost my appetite because I felt like my dental work will never end with a positive result. Dentists in 2 different countries and 3 different states refused to help because they said there was nothing they could do. Dr. Helfst told me it is possible and kept his promise. Difficulties or not, his team and he would not give up. And the last but not the least, he has an excellent bedside manner and creative approach. Thank you.
Virgil Reyes
3 years ago
Truly amazing is all i have to say.
Virgil Reyes
4 years ago
Truly amazing is all i have to say.
Chris London
4 years ago
Can't say enough good things about Dr. Hlefst and his practice. My wife and I have been patients for over 10 years and have always been very satisfied from the front office to Dr. Helfst's excellent care. Highly recommend and grateful to have such an excellent practice in the area.
Rick Pendzick
4 years ago
Excellent care! Very courteous,kind and understanding. During the snow storm where most places were closed, they were open. I had tooth abscess/infection with pain and during the storm they got me in same day and fixed the problem. From the front desk to the assistants right to the doctor himself.....all very professional and caring with a smile on thier face. I was made at ease and very comfortable during a anxiety producing procedure:) the next day I have no pain at all!! I thank you guys again for taking me in and would highly recommend you guys to everyone!
Jim Becker (Steppenwolf)
4 years ago
Dr Helfst is a the best oral surgeon In the Pocono's. My procedures were performed flawlessly. He and his staff operate with integrity and care at an exceptional high level.
Chris London
5 years ago
Can't say enough good things about Dr. Hlefst and his practice. My wife and I have been patients for over 10 years and have always been very satisfied from the front office to Dr. Helfst's excellent care. Highly recommend and grateful to have such an excellent practice in the area.
Pastor George C Cook
5 years ago
I have been a patient of Dr Helfst for years. He has always been amazing and even one time came in early so I could see him before work. When no other doctor would even try. The office has been designed from the ground up to calm the patient with waterfalls and flowers. I cannot recommend him more highly.
Kayla Smith
5 years ago
Dr. Helfst extracted all four of my wisdom teeth. He was incredibly kind and gentle. Their office is very welcoming and warm, has almost a "spa" feeling to it. I was under anesthesia for the procedure and when I woke up I was brought into a room next to a nice warm fireplace and given a blanket in a comfy chair until I was ready to go home. Dr. Helfst called me at home later that evening to check on me and see how I was feeling. I had minimal swelling and no bruising. You can definitely tell how much he cares about his patients and that this is his passion. I recommend everyone I know that needs an oral surgeon to Dr. Helfst, he's the best!!
Linda Lin
5 years ago
I heard great things about you from my patients. What really set him apart as an oral surgeon before I really knew him was the following. I had referred a patient to him and other oral surgeons because I suspected a malignant area. The patient couldn't get in earlier so they went to another OS. They got dismissed there without any treatment so when I saw the patient, I told the patient to please go get another second opinion from him. The patient finally got in to see him and it was what I suspected. I give him a thumbs up.
Jim Becker (Steppenwolf)
5 years ago
Dr Helfst is a the best oral surgeon In the Pocono's. My procedures were performed flawlessly. He and his staff operate with integrity and care at an exceptional high level.
Bridget Buff
5 years ago
Dr. Helfst is top notch. The office is filled with fresh flowers and bubbling fountains and is very clean. The desk staff is warm, welcoming, and professional at the same time. My husband and my son had their wisdom teeth surgeries here and my daughter had a dental implant surgery with Dr. Helfst when she was 18. They were all very pleased with their care. I was impressed with how the desk staff made my son and daughter feel relaxed before their appointments. My daughter was born without a permanent tooth and saw Dr. Helfst for years before she was old enough to have the dental implant surgery. He measured the future implant space along the way through braces and retainers to keep surgery date on track. Dr. Helfst went out of his way to make my daughter feel comfortable answering all of her questions and calming her nervousness. The office has the newest technology. When it came time to measure the space for the implant before surgery, we were able to have a new camera take several (X-ray ?)photos in an instant. Dr. Helfst then pin pointed the exact spot to align the implant in the perfect position using the photos as a guide. Dr. Helfst was professional, caring, and really helped ease my daughter's fears of surgery. She is absolutely delighted with her perfect dental implant and I love to see her bright smile! We definitely made the right decision to go to Dr. Helfst!
Rick Pendzick
5 years ago
Excellent care! Very courteous,kind and understanding. During the snow storm where most places were closed, they were open. I had tooth abscess/infection with pain and during the storm they got me in same day and fixed the problem. From the front desk to the assistants right to the doctor himself.....all very professional and caring with a smile on thier face. I was made at ease and very comfortable during a anxiety producing procedure:) the next day I have no pain at all!! I thank you guys again for taking me in and would highly recommend you guys to everyone!
Brian Bruno (Apple Ridge Farm)
5 years ago
My 6 year old daughter has an extra tooth coming in that needs to be extracted. We came in for a consultation and they scheduled us to have it done a few months later. I explained to them that she is very nervous when it comes to things like this and they recommended giving her nitrous. A day or two before the appointment I called to let them know that she was very nervous about the upcoming procedure knowing that we all wanted it go as smoothly as possible and not wanting to have her miss school for a 3rd day. They talked to me like I was a bad parent which annoyed me. When we went in for the procedure she was nervous but being very brave. They put the mask on her and as I was explaining to her what the mask was for the Dr came in and said that this was only the beginning of the procedure and if she wasn't comfortable with this than it just wasn't going to work. I tried to explain to him that she was going to be just fine and that I was just explaining to her what was going to happen knowing that she had anxiety. He continued talking to the nurse like I wasn't even there and walked out. The nurse then proceeds to tell me that nitrous really isn't effective on children under the age of 10 and that putting her under would be the way to go. Why wasn't this the plan from the beginning? I get the impression that there was never any intention of doing the procedure in the first place. We left feeling like they're just trying to get as many visits out of us as possible. I worked as a dental assistant for a number of years before college and never did the dentist I worked for treat patients this way. If you have little ones I highly recommend finding a dentist who wants to work with them. This guy clearly doesn't.
Kayla Smith
5 years ago
Dr. Helfst extracted all four of my wisdom teeth. He was incredibly kind and gentle. Their office is very welcoming and warm, has almost a "spa" feeling to it. I was under anesthesia for the procedure and when I woke up I was brought into a room next to a nice warm fireplace and given a blanket in a comfy chair until I was ready to go home. Dr. Helfst called me at home later that evening to check on me and see how I was feeling. I had minimal swelling and no bruising. You can definitely tell how much he cares about his patients and that this is his passion. I recommend everyone I know that needs an oral surgeon to Dr. Helfst, he's the best!!
Bridget Buff
5 years ago
Dr. Helfst is top notch. The office is filled with fresh flowers and bubbling fountains and is very clean. The desk staff is warm, welcoming, and professional at the same time. My husband and my son had their wisdom teeth surgeries here and my daughter had a dental implant surgery with Dr. Helfst when she was 18. They were all very pleased with their care. I was impressed with how the desk staff made my son and daughter feel relaxed before their appointments. My daughter was born without a permanent tooth and saw Dr. Helfst for years before she was old enough to have the dental implant surgery. He measured the future implant space along the way through braces and retainers to keep surgery date on track. Dr. Helfst went out of his way to make my daughter feel comfortable answering all of her questions and calming her nervousness. The office has the newest technology. When it came time to measure the space for the implant before surgery, we were able to have a new camera take several (X-ray ?)photos in an instant. Dr. Helfst then pin pointed the exact spot to align the implant in the perfect position using the photos as a guide. Dr. Helfst was professional, caring, and really helped ease my daughter's fears of surgery. She is absolutely delighted with her perfect dental implant and I love to see her bright smile! We definitely made the right decision to go to Dr. Helfst!
Pastor George C Cook
5 years ago
I have been a patient of Dr Helfst for years. He has always been amazing and even one time came in early so I could see him before work. When no other doctor would even try. The office has been designed from the ground up to calm the patient with waterfalls and flowers. I cannot recommend him more highly.
Linda Lin
5 years ago
I heard great things about you from my patients. What really set him apart as an oral surgeon before I really knew him was the following. I had referred a patient to him and other oral surgeons because I suspected a malignant area. The patient couldn't get in earlier so they went to another OS. They got dismissed there without any treatment so when I saw the patient, I told the patient to please go get another second opinion from him. The patient finally got in to see him and it was what I suspected. I give him a thumbs up.
Dr Thomas E Helfst
6 years ago
Dear Jordan Krom, I'm sorry that we cancelled your appointment. There must have been a valid reason for such an occurrence as I am a solo practitioner and take less than 2 weeks of vacation per year. I checked into your records and I did see you back on December 10, 2014 for a consultation on your wisdom teeth and you did not schedule at that time for the surgery. That was close to 3 years ago. I am positive we could have completed your treatment over that period of time.
Brian Bruno (Apple Ridge Farm)
6 years ago
My 6 year old daughter has an extra tooth coming in that needs to be extracted. We came in for a consultation and they scheduled us to have it done a few months later. I explained to them that she is very nervous when it comes to things like this and they recommended giving her nitrous. A day or two before the appointment I called to let them know that she was very nervous about the upcoming procedure knowing that we all wanted it go as smoothly as possible and not wanting to have her miss school for a 3rd day. They talked to me like I was a bad parent which annoyed me. When we went in for the procedure she was nervous but being very brave. They put the mask on her and as I was explaining to her what the mask was for the Dr came in and said that this was only the beginning of the procedure and if she wasn't comfortable with this than it just wasn't going to work. I tried to explain to him that she was going to be just fine and that I was just explaining to her what was going to happen knowing that she had anxiety. He continued talking to the nurse like I wasn't even there and walked out. The nurse then proceeds to tell me that nitrous really isn't effective on children under the age of 10 and that putting her under would be the way to go. Why wasn't this the plan from the beginning? I get the impression that there was never any intention of doing the procedure in the first place. We left feeling like they're just trying to get as many visits out of us as possible. I worked as a dental assistant for a number of years before college and never did the dentist I worked for treat patients this way. If you have little ones I highly recommend finding a dentist who wants to work with them. This guy clearly doesn't.
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