Overview For almost a hundred years dentistry has tried, with limited success, to find a way to replace missing teeth with artificial teeth that attach to the jawbone. Twenty-five years ago the technique was perfected, and now hundreds of thousands of patients have dental implants placed each year.
Implants are titanium posts that are placed in the bone to serve as the replacement for the root portion of a missing natural tooth. The implant is biocompatible with human tissue, and in three decades of use there have been no known foreign body reactions. After allowing time for the jawbone to bond to the surface of the implant (osseointegration), a post is attached to the implant. This post exits the gum and a crown or other restoration is placed on the post. The final restoration is similar to a crown on a natural tooth, and is not removable. It feels and functions as a normal tooth. This ability to add a tooth where it is needed has changed the way dentistry is practiced.
There are many benefits to using dental implants. When teeth are lost, ongoing shrinkage of the jawbone occurs, which can cause the face to look older. This shrinkage can also make adequate fit of a partial or full denture difficult. Placing implants can slow or stop this process. Dental implants look, feel, and function like natural teeth, and offer a tremendous improvement in comfort, speech, eating, and convenience over conventional partial and full dentures.
Implant Replacement for Single Teeth While a single tooth can be replaced with a removable appliance, the looks, function, and convenience of a 'permanent' replacement are far superior. In the past, this could only be accomplished with a bridge, where the teeth on either side of the missing tooth are crowned, with the replacement tooth connected to the crowns.
This is an excellent restoration, but many people would prefer not to have to 'prepare', or cut down, the adjacent teeth. Today, implants have become so predictable they are often recommended in place of a bridge to replace single missing teeth.
Implant Replacement for Multiple Teeth Implants can be used to support multiple teeth, or bridges. They are very useful when the natural teeth are not strong enough to support a bridge, or when there are no teeth available to which a bridge can be connected. In these cases, implants offer the only solution for a permanent restoration and an alternative to a removable appliance.
Implant Supported Partial and Full Dentures Conventional full dentures, particularly lower dentures, are often loose, and offer only marginal chewing ability. This may also be true of partial dentures that have only a few teeth supporting them. Implants are the solution, and offer remarkable support for removable appliances. In fact, implants were originally developed primarily to help the millions of people with ill-functioning dentures.
Implant Placement Implant placement is surprisingly easy, and generally there is little more than 'aspirin pain' post-operatively. This is because the bone that receives the implant has no nerve endings, and the only minor discomfort is the small incision in the gum. The implants are checked regularly after placement to follow healing. It takes 3-6 months for the implants to integrate (bond) with the jawbone, at which time the post is placed. The last phase is placement of the final crown or appliance. (SeeImplant Treatment Outline).
Patient Selection The ideal candidate for dental implants is in good general and oral health. Smoking, while not a contraindication, is a risk factor. For successful implant placement, there must be sufficient bone height and width to hold the implant. In the lower jaw there must also be sufficient bone available above the mandibular nerve, which runs within the jawbone. The amount of bone available is determined by clinical exam, and by x-rays. If insufficient bone exists, we now have the ability to increase the amount of bone withridge augmentation procedures. In the upper arch, the proximity of the sinus may reduce the amount of bone available. Sinus lift procedures can add bone to the floor of the sinus, allowing for implant placement. In cases where there are questions about bone anatomy, a CAT scan may be utilized to provide needed details (seeSim/plant).
Risks of Implant Placement As with any surgical procedure, there are risks involved with implants. The greatest single concern with implant placement is impingement on the mandibular nerve, which is found in the lower back jaw. Damaging this nerve can cause a permanent numbness of that side of the lower lip. By carefully evaluating the position of the nerve with x-rays or Sim/plant, the risk of injury is very small and seldom occurs.
Another complication of implant placement is infection, an unusual occurrence that generally develops within six months of placement and may cause failure. We usually do not know why the implant fails, but it is thought it may be due to bacteria that were already present in the bone before the implant was placed. Fortunately, most failed implants can be replaced with another implant, once the site has healed. The success rate of implants reported in the dental literature ranges from 92%-97%, depending on the study. Implants can successfully be placed in adults of any age, although certain health problems may contraindicate their use. Your dentist will determine if you are a candidate for dental implants after a careful review of your dental and medical history.
Reviews
Rating 4.4 out of 5 based on 32 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestBeth kelzer
2 years ago
I had a bad dental implant placed by another dentist I went to Dr. Abramson to get his opinion on what I should do he recommended a procedure that involved scraping and cleaning of the gum line ($1500) I knew the implant was bad and asked if it should just be pulled. He said no let's try to save it first. I had to have it pulled a couple months later. I should have gone with my gut. I paid for the procedure up front and then was billed an additional $60 for what I'm not sure. So I paid that and put on my statement paid in FULL. Then I receive another bill for $7 finance charge. I called and said I already paid my bill in full. While I was waiting for another call back after I had called twice, I received another bill for $9. If you want a place that will charge you for expensive procedures that probably shouldn't be done in the place and lacks customer service and will nickel and dime you the rest of your life - Perio Partner if your place
STACY CHAMPEAU
3 years ago
Wonderful experience with excellent staff! I'm a very apprehensive patient when it comes to dental work, the staff at Doctor Matthew Abramson's office was incredible. Definitely worth the drive for excellent dental care.
Nata Pa
3 years ago
I was referred to PerioPartner by B dental. I came to my appointment with an interpreter for a cleaning that could not be done at B-dental for whatever reason, I brought my insurance card and referral with me. I gave my card to the receptionist, both my interpreter and I verified with her that my insurance is accepted, I was worried about additional charges and coverage, but she told me that they work with this insurance and there might be a small charge of $37 in case my insurance doesn't cover something. After I was certain that I have coverage I signed the paperwork. I was waiting for the doctor and by the time I was invited into the chair my interpreter had to leave. I came to get the treatment I needed, instead I was given a 15-minute evaluation, the doctor made some measurements and his assistant typed this on the computer, then I had to wait again for some paperwork. I spent approximately one hour in the office but most of the time I was either waiting for the doctor or waiting for some sort of paperwork. I was given the treatment plan, after that they gave a call to my interpreter and told her that these services are not covered by my insurance, as I found out later. I have not heard from PerioPartner for 6 months. In April 2020 I received a bill with late fees that stated that insurance did not cover my visit and I have to pay $200+. When my interpreter called the office, she was told the following "We do not work with your insurance and you failed to notify us about your insurance", the receptionist also said that they cannot verify the insurance before the treatment. When we asked to write off charges because we were told the opposite at the time of the visit, the receptionist said that she doesn't know about that and she will call back (that never happened). We called the insurance then and found out that PerioPartner is not in my insurance's network and these services are not covered by my plan, we were also told that everybody can verify the insurance before the treatment, there is a phone number on the back of the card. The representative suggested appealing the decision because usually referral happens within the network and I was not informed that PerioPartner is not in the network. I filed the appeal, but it was denied because the PerioPartner receptionist told my insurance company that they informed me that their clinic was not part of my plan's network and that I signed the consent for treatment knowing that my visit is not covered by my insurance. THIS DISCUSSION HAS NEVER HAPPENED before the visit, they checked the insurance coverage AFTER my visit while working on the treatment plan. And who would agree to a treatment knowing that insurance covers $0? My interpreter called PerioPartner again and asked them to write off some charges, the answer was "Absolutely not. It is not our responsibility to check the insurance coverage and if it makes you feel better that the receptionist who was in the office at the time of the visit does not work here anymore". I don't know how it is supposed to make me feel better and how this helps the reputation of this office. They also said that they will continue charging late fees. The interpreter reminded that late fees were in the very first bill I received, then the receptionist said that they are willing to help me and remove late fees only if I pay the amount right now in full. My account was paid off and closed. I want to share my unpleasant experience in this office, they refused to admit that they were wrong and they actually couldn't care less about customers. Receptionists tried to cover up the mistake and even lied to my insurance company. Dr. Abramson keeps insisting that he spent more than an hour with me, in reality the whole comprehensive evaluation took about 15 minutes. If this is how your business works, then keep up the good business Dr. Abramson.
STACY CHAMPEAU
4 years ago
Wonderful experience with excellent staff! I'm a very apprehensive patient when it comes to dental work, the staff at Doctor Matthew Abramson's office was incredible. Definitely worth the drive for excellent dental care.
Nata Pa
4 years ago
I was referred to PerioPartner by B dental. I came to my appointment with an interpreter for a cleaning that could not be done at B-dental for whatever reason, I brought my insurance card and referral with me. I gave my card to the receptionist, both my interpreter and I verified with her that my insurance is accepted, I was worried about additional charges and coverage, but she told me that they work with this insurance and there might be a small charge of $37 in case my insurance doesn't cover something. After I was certain that I have coverage I signed the paperwork. I was waiting for the doctor and by the time I was invited into the chair my interpreter had to leave. I came to get the treatment I needed, instead I was given a 15-minute evaluation, the doctor made some measurements and his assistant typed this on the computer, then I had to wait again for some paperwork. I spent approximately one hour in the office but most of the time I was either waiting for the doctor or waiting for some sort of paperwork. I was given the treatment plan, after that they gave a call to my interpreter and told her that these services are not covered by my insurance, as I found out later. I have not heard from PerioPartner for 6 months. In April 2020 I received a bill with late fees that stated that insurance did not cover my visit and I have to pay $200+. When my interpreter called the office, she was told the following "We do not work with your insurance and you failed to notify us about your insurance", the receptionist also said that they cannot verify the insurance before the treatment. When we asked to write off charges because we were told the opposite at the time of the visit, the receptionist said that she doesn't know about that and she will call back (that never happened). We called the insurance then and found out that PerioPartner is not in my insurance's network and these services are not covered by my plan, we were also told that everybody can verify the insurance before the treatment, there is a phone number on the back of the card. The representative suggested appealing the decision because usually referral happens within the network and I was not informed that PerioPartner is not in the network. I filed the appeal, but it was denied because the PerioPartner receptionist told my insurance company that they informed me that their clinic was not part of my plan's network and that I signed the consent for treatment knowing that my visit is not covered by my insurance. THIS DISCUSSION HAS NEVER HAPPENED before the visit, they checked the insurance coverage AFTER my visit while working on the treatment plan. And who would agree to a treatment knowing that insurance covers $0? My interpreter called PerioPartner again and asked them to write off some charges, the answer was "Absolutely not. It is not our responsibility to check the insurance coverage and if it makes you feel better that the receptionist who was in the office at the time of the visit does not work here anymore". I don't know how it is supposed to make me feel better and how this helps the reputation of this office. They also said that they will continue charging late fees. The interpreter reminded that late fees were in the very first bill I received, then the receptionist said that they are willing to help me and remove late fees only if I pay the amount right now in full. My account was paid off and closed. I want to share my unpleasant experience in this office, they refused to admit that they were wrong and they actually couldn't care less about customers. Receptionists tried to cover up the mistake and even lied to my insurance company. Dr. Abramson keeps insisting that he spent more than an hour with me, in reality the whole comprehensive evaluation took about 15 minutes. If this is how your business works, then keep up the good business Dr. Abramson.
Karen Steinhoff
4 years ago
I hate going to any dentist, but everyone was so nice and put me at ease.
Caroline Bussmann
4 years ago
Staff were kind and patient with my questions. The procedure went smoothly. I have gone there in the past and will continue to doctor there in the future.
Kelsey Faughn
4 years ago
great experience! Lovely staff and very friendly environment
Jennifer Alford
4 years ago
Very kind and friendly people who explained things in a way that we could understand.
Shawna Smith
4 years ago
Very professional and knowledgeable staff! Dr. Abramson is very thorough and explains everything in detail. Top notch equipment and care. I highly recommend Perio Partner!
Ann Uzendoski
4 years ago
Dr. Abramson and his team are exceptional! Dr. Abramson's experience and training make him an expert in his field, including dental implants. He keeps up with the latest research, resulting in the best care for his patients. He is efficient in his procedures but also very personable and calming. Because I have complete confidence in his treatment plans and Dr. Abramson's surgical skills, I am more relaxed during my appointments. Also, Dr. Abramson's dental assistants and clinical manager are very knowledgeable, caring and helpful. His receptionists, too, are friendly and accommodating. Furthermore, if you are like me and feel anxious about dental procedures, Dr. Abramson can prescribe oral medication to help you relax. I feel very fortunate I am able to receive such outstanding dental care! PS: I have had Dr. Abramson and his team perform FOUR dental implants over the last ten years and they have all been successful!
Peggy Olson
4 years ago
Friendly staff extremely helpful
Greta Schultz
4 years ago
The team at Perio Partners are professional, kind and made my operation feel like a breeze. Definitely recommend using these trusted professionals for your needs!
Nancy Simon
4 years ago
Excellent
Denise Honigschmidt
4 years ago
I love the people at this clinic, very nice, and they explain everything too you, schedule your Appt
Simone LaBeau-Lepp
4 years ago
Felt cared for in a professional and assured way.
Jada Heroff
4 years ago
They were very kind and straightforward. I had no anxiety about what they were doing- the nurse and doctor explained it all very good. A relaxing and knowing dental experience.
Bridgette Smith
4 years ago
The staff is so lovely! Great experience.
grAce kargbo
4 years ago
Dr. Abramson's great!! He has very good side table manners. I felt so comfortable. The atmosphere at the office was wonderful. Everyone I said a word or two to was very friendly. They all seem happy with what they do, which makes a difference. Thank you guys for a great experience. I'm pleased
izzy honigschmidt
4 years ago
Everyone here was so helpful and very informational! Answered all my questions!
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