The Medical University of South Carolina will dedicate its dental school to Dr. James B. Edwards, an oral surgeon, former South Carolina governor, former energy secretary for Ronald Reagan and former MUSC president, at a ceremony today.
The event also will mark the opening of the school's dental clinics building. The building has 190 dental surgical spaces and clinical space for 11 departments including general dentistry, pediatric dentistry and oral surgery.
Jack Sanders, dean of the James B. Edwards School of Dental Medicine, said the dental clinic programs began moving into the building in September and are settled in.
The school will continue to use its space in the Basic Science Building for classrooms, faculty offices, simulation laboratories and research, he said.
The new building will allow the university to train more dentists and expand training programs in dental specialties, Sanders said.
The new building cost about $51 million, Sanders said. The money came from state grants, bonds and short-term loans, he said. Equipment for the new building cost $10 million, which came from alumni donations and a loan from the university's foundation, he said.
With the new building, the school has the capacity for the latest dental technologies, he said.
"Different schools have a little bit of this and a little bit of that, but now we have it all," Sanders said.
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The replacement of missing teeth is not a new concept. There has been evidence of dental implants found in a Mayan woman that dates back to about 600A.D. It was previously thought that the shells used to replace three mandibular (lower) incisors had been placed after death. It was later revealed that the bone growth around the shells showed that they had been placed during the woman's lifetime.
Today, dental implants can be used to replace a single tooth and multiple teeth. This is a surgical procedure generally performed by an Oral Maxillo-Facial Surgeon or even by some general dentists. It is important to receive an evaluation of the bone in the site(s) in which the implant will be placed. If there is not an adequate amount of bone, it may be necessary to receive a bone graft prior to the implant procedure. All patients are not qualified candidates for dental implants simply because they lack the quality or quantity of bone needed to support an implant in the first place.
A bone graft is a procedure in which real or synthetic bone material is placed in the site of the implant. Grafting material may also be used after the extraction of the tooth to help improve a patients chance in developing enough bone to support an implant. This is extremely important because if there is not enough bone to support an implant, the procedure cannot be performed. After having a bone graft, the patient is required to have anywhere between one to three follow up appointments to ensure the material integrates properly and improves bone quality.
Having proved yourself qualified to have a dental implant, now it is time to discuss how many you may need. Single implants are a simple procedure that generally only requires the use of a local anesthetic. Three incisions in the area of the implant will expose the underlying bone (leaving the flap available to cover the implant for healing). A drill is then used to place the screw(implant) into the bone. After a few months the implant will be exposed and the patient is almost ready to have the crown(the part of the tooth that is visible)placed on top.
For patients needing to replace several teeth, the use of grafting material may be essential. Once this is complete, an additional evaluation will be needed to determine how many implants will be placed and where. The use of multiple implants is a method used to reduce cost by those who need to replace multiple teeth, especially those who need to replace the full upper or lower set. The procedure is essentially the same with only minor variations.
The general guidelines of healing suggested is about three months for the mandibular (lower) jaw and six months for the maxillary (upper) jaw. However, many patients are ready to have dentures or bridges constructed in as little as four months. As with any surgery, there is a risk of failure. This is generally an extremely small percentage of the overall implant surgeries performed and can be replaced at no cost.
Always be sure to check your dental coverage when considering this type of cosmetic procedure. To most insurance companies, dental implants are considered cosmetic. While many plans will cover the resulting crowns, bridges or dentures, dental implants themselves may not be covered. Talk with your dental professional about payment plans or financing options available. With the proper planning and correct treatment, you will soon have a smile you can be proud of.
Source : Helium.com
Belt-tightening Brits who neglect their teeth in the hope of saving money risk a shocking rise in the price of restorative dental treatments.
The amount spent on corrective dental surgery has more than tripled in the last two years, according to figures released this week.
This hike follows a dramatic increase in cancelled check-ups and appointments, which are six times higher in 2009 than they were in 2007.
North West dental practice, Manor Dental Practice, has seen the amount of money its patients have spent in preventive dental treatments rise from £52,600 in 2007, to £106,000 in 2008 and £162,000 in 2009.
The cost of fillings alone over the same time period has risen from £20,000 to £71,000.
These statistics reflect a false belief by some that avoiding dental appointments will save money.
However, dentists argue this is not the case citing the fact that if annual maintenance costs around £144.60 per person per year – including two health checks and hygiene visits – restorative work costs approximately between £75 for a filling and £475 for a crown, per tooth.
Patients seeking restorative treatments spend on average, £458 per visit; over three times as much as the cost of yearly maintenance.
Dr Anjali Shahi, founder of Manor Dental Practice, feels that the majority of these procedures are entirely preventable.
She said: ‘It's quite common that in times of financial difficulty, one of the first things to go is visits to the dentist. Whilst I can completely sympathise with those who are trying to economise, people need to realise that going to the dentist is not a luxury: it's a necessity to maintain good health. If your arm would not stop bleeding, you would see a doctor. The same should be true of your gums; if they are bleeding, you need to see a dentist.'
The practice has seen a steady increase of failed appointments, rising from 297 in 2007, to 870 in 2009. This figure echoes the number of appointments cancelled, which has grown from 585 in 2007, to a staggering 3,900 in 2009.
Dr Shahi added: ‘The fact is it's proven false economy to miss dental appointments. Whilst it may seem appealing to save a hundred pounds or so over the course of a year, there's a real risk of ending up spending thousands repairing preventable damage – not to mention hours off work in the dentist's chair.'
Source : Dentistry.co.uk
SPRINGFIELD, MO — The Springfield MO dental practice Barnett-Davis Dental Group is now providing patients with the revolutionary benefits of mini dental implant dentistry. This unique approach to modern dentistry offers new opportunities for individuals who have lost one or more teeth. For the first time, dentists can replace missing teeth with cement-supported implants and/or removable restorations in as little as one visit.
The caring staff at Barnett-Davis Dental Group, a Springfield MO Invisalign center, is specially trained to provide mini implant treatment. The process begins with a consultation visit to determine if the patient is a candidate for implant placement. On the second visit, the dentists take computerized radiographs and impressions, and then the implants are placed on a third visit.
Without the complications of major oral surgery and long healing times, patients treated with mini implants are walking out the door and able to speak and enjoy the foods they desire without the fear of their removable dentures slipping out of place. In fact, the procedure is simple enough to be conducted with as little as one local anesthetic to numb the implant area.
“Mini dental implants are a great evolution in dental implant treatment and restorative dentistry,” said Springfield MO dentist Dr. Tracy Davis of the Barnett-Davis Dental Group. “Not only is this treatment less-invasive and has a short recovery time, mini implants are also less expensive than other restoratives.”
With half the cost of conventional dental implants, mini implants are an affordable and equally reliable dental restorative to conventional implants adds Dr. Marc Barnett. Besides providing patients with renewed confidence and the ability to eat and speak without embarrassment, mini implants can also anchor dentures or cemented crowns and bridges. They also help preserve bone structure and facial appearance.
The Barnett-Davis Dental Group provides many family dental services, including cosmetic, restorative, and preventative dental services. As a practice providing Springfield MO cosmetic dentistry services, the practice offers Invisalign orthodontics, laser teeth whitening, bonding, porcelain veneers, tooth shaping, and more. The group’s restorative services include dentures, conventional and mini dental implants, crowns, bridges, root canals, and surgical procedures. Barnett-Davis’ preventative treatments include cleanings, sealant protection, athletic mouth guards, laser cavity detection, gum disease therapy, anti-snoring treatment, a patient education system, and more.
“Our practice takes great pleasure in treating our patients,” said Dr. Kelly Barnett. “Whether its preventative, cosmetic, or restorative treatment, we always provide quality treatment with as little expense to the patient as possible.”
Learn More
If you would like to learn more about mini implants, visit the Mini Dental Implants Web page of the Barnett-Davis Dental Group’s Springfield MO Dentistry Web site: http://www.barnettdavisdental.com/ . Or, to speak with a staff member, call (417) 581-3600 to schedule a free consultation.
About the Doctors at Barnett-Davis Dental Group
Drs. Marc and Kelly Barnett have practiced dentistry in Ozark since 1984. Kelly graduated Phi Beta Kappa from The University of Kansas and Marc graduated Magna Cum Laude from William Jewell College. They both graduated “with distinction” (in the top 10 percent) from the University of Missouri Dental School in Kansas City.
After graduating, Kelly taught as a professor of clinical dentistry in Kansas City and Marc took extra training in a General Practice Residency at the V.A. Hospital in Kansas City.
Kelly, Springfield MO Cosmetic Dentist, served as the first female president of the Greater Springfield Dental Society and has been a delegate to the Missouri Dental Association. She is vice president of the Board of the OTC hygiene and dental assisting school. Marc serves on the Children’s Smile Center board in Ozark to treat under-privileged children.
Family ties and small town values brought Marc and Kelly to the Ozarks in 1984. Marc practiced dentistry in Nixa and Kelly maintained a solo practice in Ozark for 17 years. In the fall of 2001, they combined their efforts and expertise into one modern, high-tech dental office in Ozark.
Marc and Kelly live in Ozark with their children, Tish and Burke. Originally from Conway, Missouri, Dr. Tracy Davis moved to the Springfield area in 2004 to be closer to family. She graduated “with distinction” from the University of Missouri School of Dentistry in Kansas City. Tracy has received national recognition as a dental researcher.
Tracy and her husband, Matthew, have been married since 1997. They live in Ozark with their four children: Ethan; twins Elijah and Isabella; and Owen. Tracy loves working with children and knows how to make them feel comfortable at the Ozark dental office.
Source : Fastpitchnetwork
While access to dental services such as cleanings, tooth extraction and fillings are essential for every individual to maintain sound oral health, many people covered by dental insurance look into cosmetic dentistry to improve their confidence.
Cosmetic dentistry encompasses the use of veneers and dental implants, but has lately received the most attention for innovative teeth whitening techniques, Black Hills Today reports.
"There are various whitening products available over the counter for home use," Dr Anh Nguyen of the Ray Dental Group in Rapid City, South Dakota, told the news source.
She added that "by visiting a dentist who is trained to whiten teeth and advise in good oral hygiene practices, you can be sure to obtain that whiter smile you are looking for."
Patients with chipped or crooked teeth may opt to be treated with plastic, ceramic or porcelain veneers, which are coatings tailored by dentists to cover a tooth's surface.
Additionally, dental implants can be a low-maintenance alternative to using dentures for patients who are in good health.
The American Dental Association recommends retaining a dental surgeon for implants, as the procedure requires the doctor to fuse the replacement tooth to the jawbone.
Source : dentalplans.com
A cosmetic dental surgery is seeking volunteers to undergo the hi-tech treatments featured in life changing TV shows like Ten Years Younger.
Lubiju in Leith is regarded as one of Scotland’s leading dental implant practices and provides training for dentists from around the country.
Now it is seeking volunteers to take part in a post-graduate training programme throughout 2010 – which could see those selected getting advanced dental treatment for a fraction of the usual cost.
Leading Scottish dentist Dr Biju Krishnan, who co-founded Lubiju, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for patients to get treatment they might not otherwise be able to afford.
“The results of implant treatment are genuinely life-changing for many people. It is often referred to as the ‘Ten Years Younger’ treatment. However, it’s not just about looking younger, it is about restoring confidence and even making it easier to eat or speak.”
Implant technology is seen as the ultimate solution to replacing missing teeth with the many advantages over dentures, crowns or bridges.
The technology works by drilling into the jaw bone and fixing in place a tiny titanium base which eventually bonds with the bone and becomes a new “root”. Individual, made-to-measure replacement teeth can then be screwed into place without any damage to neighbouring teeth.
A variation of the treatment is mini implants, for people who wear lower dentures. Lower dental plates are notoriously difficult to keep in place. However, with four simple implants and a ball and socket system wearers can have dentures fixed securely.
Dr Krishnan added: Mini implants require only minor surgery, yet it is absolutely life-changing for those people who live with constant irritation of loose dentures.
“We hear stories every single day of how patients lack confidence because their dentures make it difficult to do the most basic things, like eat or speak comfortably. It can make day-to-day life unbearable.”
Since opening earlier this year Lubiju has become one of Scotland’s leading cosmetic dentists. Its implant team is particularly renowned because it is headed by one of Europe’s most pre-eminent experts in the field, Dr John Cuccio.
He has more than 35 years of implant expertise and became a leading proponent through his Harley Street surgery. Since moving to Edinburgh several years ago, he has become one of a small handful the most sought after experts in the lecturing and training circuit.
Dr Krishan added: “Of course there are other practices which can offer implants. However, we tend to handle the most advanced and complex cases.
“Those include patients who require multiple implants, accident victims, cases where there is not a lot of bone and patients may require bone grafts. There are also cases where the aesthetics are very challenging.
“Many dentists will be happy to deal with implants at the back of the mouth, but will refer cases to us if they are dealing with implants at the front, which are far more challenging from an aesthetic point of view.”
Normally treatments range in price from £2000 to £50,000 with the average course of treatment costing £4-£5000. A full set of 10 implants can take up to a year to complete. Mini implants, for fixing dentures in place, cost £1500.
Dr Krishnan added: “Most people who would benefit from implants already know about the treatment and tend to have done their research. Usually the only thing preventing them from getting the treatment is the cost.
“This is a chance to get that treatment with up to 50% off the cost, as long as they are prepared to have post graduate dentists perform the treatment under supervision as part of their training.”
It is the first time Lubiju has publicly appealed for volunteers and the team expect a sizeable response. Would-be patients will have to be screened and some will not be suitable for treatment.
Lubiju will be running post graduate training courses throughout 2010, so those who are not successful for the first course will have the option to wait for later training programmes.
Retired 76-year-old Iain Robertson, pictured, has already benefited from the treatment. His story can be read on the Holyrood Partnership website.
Acclaimed Scottish dentists Dr Krishnan and fellow Dundee University graduate Dr Lubino do Rego opened Lubiju in Leith earlier this year after a £750,000 investment.
It provides state-of-the art private treatments and augments their existing Drake Dental Practice and Scottish Implant Centre, which are already renowned for their NHS treatments.
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What do you think? This is a great opportunity right?
"If you're like most people, you want to have a beautiful smile and pain free teeth. But have you seen the cost of dental procedures? Even if you have insurance, you still end up shelling out a lot of money," says Dental-Plan-4U.com Founder, Aaron Price.
And that's if you have insurance at all. In the face of economic recession employers and insurance companies are slicing and dicing their insurance benefits, and dental coverage is usually one of the first things to go.
"Because teeth are not often considered a life and death issue, they are often shoved to the wayside. You can function with a cavity, can go to work with plaque, and tartar never stopped anyone from paying rent on time. Sadly, good dental health is important to your quality of life, and is too often overlooked," say AmeriPlan® representatives.
Without insurance, most Americans can't afford the preventative dental care they need. That lack of care spirals into the need for more expensive curative treatments like fillings, bridges and root canals. It's a vicious cycle that a dental savings plan may be just the cure for.
In the world of dental plan, you may see many enticing offers. Follow these tips to ensure you join a plan that truly is going to give you the savings promised.
1. What’s Included? – If you need emergency dental work right away can you get immediate benefits? Are braces and cosmetic dentistry included? These are good questions to ask. A good dental savings plan will include everything except for orthodontic work already in progress.
2. How Much Will You Save? – In the world of dental plans a 25-50% discount is not good enough. A good dental plan will save you up to 80% on preventative work and 50-65% on more major work done through a general dentist. While some plans promise a free cleaning every year the value the plan offers when you need real work done is minimal. Try to find out upfront how much you will be saving.
3. How Is the Network Maintained? – Do the dentists on the plan come from a leased network? If so, there is a good chance they may not even want to have members of the plan as patients. The best dental plans build their own dental network and all the dentists want to see the members. This insures the members the greatest savings and best service.
For the past 17 years AmeriPlan® has worked to put together a network of highly qualified dentists from around the country willing to work with AmeriPlan® to offer their members one of a kind dental discounts on urgent and preventative care. For less than $20 a month a household can save up to 80% on cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics, oral surgery and general dental treatment.
"Dentists love AmeriPlan® members," says Price. "They save so much money and headache not having to deal with insurance companies that they gladly pass those savings on to you."
Benefits start the day of enrollment, and for a limited time AmeriPlan® is stretching their benefits farther than they've ever gone before to offer prescription, vision and chiropractic savings to dental savings plan members at no additional cost.
"Whether you're in pain and need to see a dentist right away or you'd like to keep your pearly whites looking that way, you've just found the right place to get quality care and save big," says Price. "Why pay full price for dental care when you don't have to?"
For more information, visit www.dental-plan-4u.com.
