Since 1974, River Valley Periodontics & Implant Dentistry has been dedicated to providing the highest quality treatment, using the latest technologies, in a friendly and caring atmosphere. That philosophy is the foundation of everything we do.

No other periodontal and dental implant practice in our area has the depth and breadth of experience we do. Our talented team of doctors includes periodontal specialists whose expertise and use of the latest advancements in dentistry enable our patients to receive top-notch gum care and dental implant treatment. Our goal is to be the standard for periodontal and dental implant expertise in Southeastern Connecticut and the Southwestern Rhode Island area.

Dr. Foisie is a native of Canton, CT and attended the Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor, CT followed by Brown University, where he obtained a bachelor of science in biology. He then pursued his dental studies at Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine. During a subsequent 10-year career in the Navy, he received a certificate in Advanced Education in General Dentistry from the Naval Dental Center Mid-Atlantic in Norfolk, VA, then spent three years as a general dentist at the US Naval Hospital in Yokosuka, Japan. He returned to the United States for residency training in periodontics at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, MD and completed a masters degree in oral biology from George Washington University. During his residency, Dr. Foisie also received advanced training in general anesthesia and intravenous conscious sedation. After his residency, Dr. Foisie served as the Department Head of Periodontics at the Naval Branch Health Clinic in Groton, CT for three years before joining River Valley Periodontics and Implant Dentistry.

An active member of the local dental community, Dr. Foisie has served as president of the Connecticut Society of Periodontists as well as the New London County Dental Society and is a delegate of the Connecticut State Dental Association. He is also a member of the American Academy of Periodontology, American Dental Association, Academy of Osseointegration, Shoreline Dental Society and is a director of the local branch of the Seattle Study Club (the River Valley Study Club). He volunteers providing dental care to underserved populations via the Dental Lifeline Network as well.

Dr. Cantner grew up in the Connecticut shoreline community. He earned his dental degree from the University of Pennsylvania, where he also did his three-year specialty training. He received the Directors Award for the top resident at the university and the highest achievement award from the Northeast Society of Periodontists. Dr. Cantner has been extensively trained in all aspects of periodontal and dental implant therapy and also taught at the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine, Division of Periodontology.

Dr. Cantner is a diplomate of the American Academy of Periodontists and a member of the American Dental Association, Academy of Osseointegration, Connecticut State Dental Association, Shoreline Dental Society and New London County Dental Society. He is also director of the River Valley Study Club and volunteers for the Mission of Mercy program, which provides comprehensive dentistry to the underprivileged in Connecticut.

After attaining her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, Dr. Oks continued her post-doctoral training in periodontics and implant surgery there and received a Master of Science in periodontics. Since completing her studies, she has worked in private practice and has also served on Deans Faculty at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, where she taught clinical periodontics.

Dr. Oks consistently attends continuing education courses, lectures and seminars to keep up-to-date on the latest techniques and innovations in her field to provide the best care for her patients. She is a diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and a member of the American Academy of Periodontology, American Dental Association, Connecticut State Dental Association, Shoreline Dental Society, Seattle Study Club and River Valley Study Club.

Dr. Miller recently joined River Valley Periodontics & Implant Dentistry after a distinguished career in the United States Navy.He obtained his BS in Medical Laboratory Science from the University of Washington, where he also attended dental school. After receiving a Navy scholarship, he completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry and became a staff dentist aboard the USS Juneau in Sasebo, Japan before serving as a general dentist in Hawaii for three years. Dr. Miller then attended the Naval Postgraduate Dental School for his residency in periodontics, along with Dr. Foisie. He served as Department Head of Periodontics in Parris Island, SC and Director of the Graduate Periodontics Residency Program at the Naval Postgraduate Dental School. He later became an authority on and instructor for Millennium Dental, training numerous Navy periodontists in the Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP) technique.

Dr. Miller is a diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and a member of many prestigious dental organizations, including the American Academy of Periodontology, American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, American Board of Periodontology, Connecticut Society of Periodontists, Seattle Study Club and Academy of Osseointegration.

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease or periodontitis, is the most common cause of tooth loss in adults. Our doctors are gum specialists and experts at combating gum disease. They offer a wide variety of procedures that can successfully treat the disease and reverse its negative effects.

Gum disease is a bacterial infection of the gums that becomes worse over time if not properly treated. As it progresses, the disease causes increasing damage to gum and bone tissue and can eventually result in the loss of one or more teeth.

As board-certified periodontists, our doctors have extensive advanced training in diagnosing and treating all stages of gum disease, as well as repairing the damage it causes. They trained for an additional three years after dental school to receive their specialty certifications in periodontics, and they have the ability to diagnose and treat all stages and severities of the disease properly. When needed, our doctors use advanced gum and bone grafting techniques to rebuild tissue that has been lost to the disease and help their patients keep their teeth for life.

Because they are specialists, our doctors have a bigger bag of tricks with which to combat gum disease than a general dentist does. Our doctors can provide conventional gum surgery, minimally invasive laser surgery with LANAP, soft tissue grafting, bone grafting, antibiotic therapy and growth factors. They always choose the most effective, fastest and least invasive way to treat the disease based on each patients unique situation and needs.

Our primary goal is to help you keep your natural teeth for life, but, if a tooth or teeth are beyond the point of saving, or are already missing, dental implants placed by our experienced doctors are the optimal replacement solution.

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that is placed into the jawbone, and a crown, dental bridge or denture is attached. Made of biocompatible materials, implants integrate with your jawbone and provide a strong and stable foundation for an artificial tooth or teeth.

Dental implants mimic the look, feel and function of natural teeth so well that people usually cant tell the difference between their natural teeth and their implant teeth! Implants will improve your quality of life and allow you to eat the foods you want again.

With over 50 years of combined experience in placing dental implants, River Valley Periodontics & Implant Dentistry has more experience in placing implants than any other practice in the state of Connecticut. Our doctors have successfully handled thousands of implant cases of all sizes and complexities, from replacing a single tooth to an entire arch of teeth. We can even perform complex bone grafting if it is needed for implant stability.

All of our doctors are board-certified periodontistsdental implant and gum treatment specialists. They are highly trained in all aspects of placing implants, including ensuring a healthy and stable oral foundation for implant placement. They also stay current with the latest implant technologies and techniques through continuing education to keep providing their patients with the most comfortable and precise treatment and natural-looking results.

Dental implant placement is a precise procedure that requires thorough diagnostics and planning. We use advanced technology to ensure your dental implant treatment is efficient, accurate, minimally invasive and comfortable.

We use our cone beam 3D CT scanner to produce a 360-degree X-ray of your jaw, teeth and related structures. The images can be viewed from any angle, and sections can be magnified for a close inspection.

Our doctors use the images to establish how to best position your implant. They will identify how much bone is available where the implant is to be placed. They will also see the state of your gum tissue and the location of important anatomical structures around the implant site. Using this data, the doctors will determine how the implant can be safely and stably placed, and whether any bone grafting will be needed.

The doctors then use this data in special implant planning software to simulate the implant surgery in advance. In many instances, they manufacture a computer-generated surgical guide that fits over the gums with an access hole indicating to the precise position, angle and depth for implant placement.

Where there is inadequate bone to properly support an implant, our doctors will graft bone material into the implant site to create the needed stability. They use the latest developments in bone grafting materials and procedures for minimally invasive bone regeneration.

Our doctors will work closely with your general dentist or restorative dentist to craft the beautiful, strong and long-lasting replacement teeth that attach to the dental implants. If you dont already have a regular dentist you like, we can recommend one from a network of doctors we know and trust to deliver high-quality prosthetic teeth.

We go to great lengths to ensure our patients are comfortable at all times. Our doctors and staff are known for their friendly chairside manner, as well as their ability to put our patients at ease. We take the time to provide detailed explanations of procedures and answer any questions you may have. We also provide blankets and pillows to keep you comfortable, in addition to offering oral and IV sedation for implant procedures.

Many of our patients report they were surprised by how little discomfort they experienced during and after getting an implant, and that they were able to return to work and regular activities the following day.

Making an informed decision regarding your dental care and oral health is important. Complete the form below to obtain your FREE copy of our 8 Things You Should Know Before Getting Dental Implants article.