CAD/CAM is an acronym for computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing. CAD/CAM technology has been increasingly incorporated into dentistry over the past 20 years. CAD/CAM technology is used by dentists and dental laboratories to provide our patients with 3-D milled ceramic crowns and other types of restorations, and to fabricate abutments for dental implants, used to replace missing teeth. A digital impression is taken of the patient’s teeth or dental impression, and the restoration is milled from a single block of tooth colored ceramic material in a milling chamber.
Digital design of the crown restoration.Sending the digital impression to the 3-D milling machine3-D printer fabricating the dental restoration.
The 3-D milling machine fabricating the dental restoration.
Implants placed in jaw.ImplantsStone models of patient’s teeth and implant partsAbutments screwed into implantsBeautiful porcelain bridge cemented in place over the implant abutments.
Stone model of the patient’s teeth and implant parts.Implant try-in on stone model.Healing abutment in the mouth.Following removal of the healing abutment the implant the implant is visible.The implant crown placed.Implant crown screw tightened into place.Screw access hole filled in.Beautiful implant crown.
Stone model of the patient’s teeth, implant crown and parts.
Healing abutment.ImplantCustom titanium abutment.X-ray confirming perfect fit of custom abutment to implant.Using torque wrench to attach abutment to implant.Porcelain crown cemented over abutment.
Too many people who have conventional dentures don’t wear them for the simple fact that they don’t stay in place. Dental Implants offer a way to keep dentures in place and allow you to go about your daily life with confidence.
The use of dental implants to stabilize dentures has proven to be successful for many people. The number continues to grow as word spreads about the effectiveness and long-term durability of the treatment. In fact, it has been reported that dental implants have the highest success rate of any implanted surgical device.*
the problems with loose dentures
Millions of people around the world are missing enough teeth to require the use of a denture. Many of them struggle to keep their dentures secure, particularly in the lower jaw. If you have this problem, you already know about the embarrassment of slipping dentures, not being able to eat the foods that you love and the ineffectiveness of denture adhesives. Fortunately, there is a way to make your denture work the way it was intended: stabilize it with dental implants.
benefits of denture stabilization
Restores proper chewing, allowing a better diet and improved health
Improves speech and confidence
Increases comfort with less irritation of gum tissue
Ends the cost and inconvenience of denture adhesives
Often can utilize your existing denture
Minimally invasive procedure
Two implants placed to help hold the patients lower denture in place.
Lower denture snaps into place.
Inside of denture showing how denture fits into implants.
Normally we like to place 4 implants for better stabilization.
Dentures are removable appliances that can replace missing teeth and help restore your smile. If you’ve lost all of your natural teeth, whether from gum disease, tooth decay or injury, replacing missing teeth will benefit your appearance and your health. That’s because dentures make it easier to eat and speak better than you could without teeth—things that people often take for granted.
When you lose all of your teeth, facial muscles can sag, making you look older. Dentures can help fill out the appearance of your face and profile. They can be made to closely resemble your natural teeth so that your appearance does not change much. Dentures may even improve the look of your smile.
Types of dentures:
Conventional. This full removable denture is made and placed in your mouth after the remaining teeth are removed and tissues have healed, which may take several months.
Immediate. This removable denture is inserted on the same day that the remaining teeth are removed. Your dentist will take measurements and make models of your jaw during a preliminary visit. You don’t have to be without teeth during the healing period, the denture will need to be relined or remade after your jaw has healed.
Overdenture. Sometimes some of your teeth can be saved to preserve your jawbone and provide stability and support for the denture. An overdenture fits over a small number of remaining natural teeth after they have been prepared by your dentist. Implants can serve the same function, too.
New dentures may feel awkward for a few weeks until you become accustomed to them. The dentures may feel loose while the muscles of your cheek and tongue learn to keep them in place. It is not unusual to experience minor irritation or soreness. You may find that saliva flow temporarily increases. As your mouth becomes accustomed to the dentures, these problems should go away. Follow-up appointments are generally needed after a denture is inserted so the fit can be checked and adjusted.
Even if you wear full dentures, you still have to practice good dental hygiene. Brush your gums, tongue and roof of your mouth every morning with a soft-bristled brush before you insert your dentures to stimulate circulation in your tissues and help remove plaque.
Dr. Gentry’s photos of one of his immediate complete upper denture cases.
Broken off decayed upper teethPanoramic x-ray showing teeth.Upper immediate denture made from dental impressions.Upper teeth extracted.Immediate full upper complete denture placed the same visit of extractions.
Dental implant.Porcelain crown, gold screw, custom abutment.Custom abutment placed over implant with the gold screw.X-rayPorcelain crown cemented over the custom abutment.
Dental Implant – A cylindrical and/or tapered post, made of titanium, that serves as a substitute for the tooth root
Abutment – A connector, placed on, or built into, the top of the dental implant, to connect the implant to the replacement tooth or teeth
Crown – A replacement tooth, custom made to match your natural teeth
Dental implants are often the best treatment for missing teeth. When a damaged or decayed tooth is removed, both the visible part of the tooth, called the crown, and the root are lost.
A dental implant is placed in the jawbone so that it can fuse with your natural bone and become a strong and sturdy foundation for replacement teeth. Implants can be used to replace an individual tooth or for an implant-supported bridge or denture containing multiple teeth.
Dental implants are the closest you can get to healthy, natural teeth. They will allow you to confidently eat, smile, laugh, talk, play and enjoy all of your regular activities of everyday life without thinking about your teeth.
Dental implant bridge case by Dr. Gentry on a 55 year old male patient.
1. Hopeless decayed teeth that were under a 20 year old bridge.
2. Teeth extracted, bone grafts placed and following healing, 2 dental implants placed.
3. View of dental implants. I also placed a porcelain crown on the tooth in front of the first implant.
4. Patient stone models, implant custom abutments, screws, and porcelain bridge.
5. Custom abutments placed into the implants.
6. Porcelain bridge cemented over the dental implant abutments.
This will be Dr. Philip Gentry’s 25th year in practice in Arlington, and he’s enthusiastic about how things have changed. “I wanted to be in an exciting, growing area near the city and close to Metro,” he says, “but I had no idea how vibrant Arlington would become. It’s as exciting as our advancements in dentistry. I love it here!”Dr. Gentry, his partners and patients appreciate the trend toward cosmetic dentistry. Fillings are practically invisible. More teeth are saved with better care and implants. Dentures have become rare. High-tech equipment includes powerful magnification glasses and the Intra-Oral camera that provides a virtual tour of the mouth.Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Dr. Gentry stayed close to home, graduating with honors from George Washington University and then attending dental school at Georgetown University, where he graduated summa cum laude. He spent summers doing research at NIH. Dr. Gentry has been awarded the prestigious Fellowship in The Academy of General Dentistry.Dr. Gentry developed a loyal following from the start, evidenced by families who’ve moved far from Arlington but still make the trip in to see the dentist they love. Foreign Service officers text Dr. Gentry to ask him to squeeze them in when they fly in for a State Department briefing.Dr. Gentry treasures his patient relationships and always obliges, even staying late or coming in early to accommodate them. He jokes that his smiles are representing the United States and need to look their best. “I feel so fortunate to have a profession where I can make a difference in the world,” he says, “one smile at a time.”Article published in Arlington Magazine December 2013
The use of dental implants to stabilize dentures has proven to be successful for many people. The number continues to grow as word spreads about the effectiveness and long-term durability of the treatment. In fact, it has been reported that dental implants have the highest success rate of any implanted surgical device.*
