Placement of Dental Implants Results in Minimal Bone Loss

A major concern for a patient who is facing the possibility of losing a tooth is bone loss at the extraction site. A recent study published in the Journal of Periodontology and evaluated by the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) suggests that replacing a missing tooth with a dental implant results in minimal bone loss. Read about this important study below or visit the AAP website.

American Academy of Periodontology

The following information from the AAP Web site is located at:http://www.perio.org/consumer/implant-placement.htm

Five-year follow-up study observed marginal bone remodeling occurs between implant placement and prosthesis placement.

CHICAGO—May 11, 2009—Dental implants are frequently used as a replacement for missing teeth in order to restore the patient's tooth function and appearance. Previous research demonstrates that the placement of a dental implant disrupts the host tissue in the area of the implant, so practitioners often focus their treatment planning to carefully maintain the patient's bone and gum tissue surrounding the implant. A recent study published in the Journal of Periodontology found that the majority of bone remodeling occurred in the time between the implant placement and final prosthesis placement. Study Abstract*

Subsequently, little mean bone change was observed in the five years following the implant placement, independent of type of restoration or implant length. The study, conducted at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, evaluated 596 dental implants placed in 192 patients over the age of 18. Patients were screened for adequate oral hygiene and bone volume. Exclusion criteria included heavy smoking, chewing tobacco use, drug abuse, and untreated periodontal disease, amongst others.

Study author Dr. David Cochran, DDS, PhD, Chair of the Department of Periodontics at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, and President of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), believes that this study provides additional support for the use of dental implants to replace missing teeth. "As a periodontist, I am committed to saving my patients" natural dentition whenever possible.

However, the results of this study help further indicate that a dental implant is an effective and dependable tooth replacement option. Since the patient's host tissue surrounding the dental implant largely remains unchanged in the five years following placement, the dental team can now focus on periodic assessment and treatment of other areas in the mouth as needed, and know that the implant is doing its job as a viable substitute solution.

Free oral health brochure samples including one titled "Dental Implants: Teeth That Look and Feel Just Like Your Own" are available by calling 800-FLOSS-EM or visiting the AAP's Web site at www.perio.org.

For an implant consultation in the Philadelphia area, call implant specialist, Dr. I. Stephen Brown (215) 735-3660 or visit him on the web at http://www.theperiogroup.com/. Find out if you are a candidate for dental implants Philadelphia today.

Montgomery County Man Chooses a Dental Implant Instead of a Bridge to Replace His Missing Front Tooth

Case Study #2 - The 3-unit Bridge vs. The Single Tooth Implant

3-unit bridges have traditionally been used to replace a single missing tooth. A bridge uses the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth to provide support for an artificial tooth that fills in the void left by the missing tooth. Although the goal of a bridge is to restore function and achieve an aesthetically favorable outcome, it does so at the expense of the bone under the replacement tooth. Because that space is no longer stimulated by chewing, bone in that area tends to get resorbed into the body, creating a gap between the replacement tooth and the gums.

Fortunately, a more state-of-the-art solution exists - a dental implant. Dental implants provide an esthetically pleasing single tooth replacement without compromising surrounding teeth. Now you can start over! With man-made, substitute tooth roots, Dr. I. Stephen Brown can offer you a unique and permanent solution to missing teeth that look, feel, and function just like natural teeth. These modern miracles of tooth replacement can be matched exactly to your own teeth, restoring your smile to its optimal state. Dental implants can be your doorway to renewed self-confidence and peace of mind.


This Philadelphia man suffered a fractured front tooth. He did not want his adjacent teeth cut down for crowns, or to be forced to wear a removable bridge. A dental implant provided him with a functional and cosmetically pleasing tooth replacement. Philadelphia Dental Implant Specialist Dr. Stephen Brown placed a titanium implant in order to attain a superior esthetic result, and since titanium is strong and naturally accepted by the body, the results will be long-term. The patient was incredibly pleased with the outcome.

To see more cases like this one or to learn more about Dental Implants Philadelphia, visit Dr. Stephen Brown on the web at http://www.theperiogroup.com/. Questions about whether you're a candidate for dental implants? Call 215.735.3660.

Philadelphia Dental Patient Chooses a Dental Implant to Replace Her Lost Tooth

Dental Implant Case Study #1

This Philadelphia dental patient lost her tooth due to a gum abscess. Periodontal abscesses usually happen in patients who have existing periodontal disease that is advanced enough to have resulted in bone loss around the root of a tooth. As destructive species of periodontal disease bacteria move into the gum pocket, byproducts of the bacteria cause more extensive bone destuction. Sometimes an obvious swelling is seen around the tooth as the infection around that tooth becomes more severe. This is called a Periodontal abscess.

This patient wanted a tooth replacement that looked, felt and functioned like a natural tooth. A dental implant filled the bill. It took one visit to place the implant. The procedure was painless. Alternative treatments would have involved cutting down her adjacent teeth or would have caused her to wear an uncomfortable, removable partial denture. She says the dental implant, placed by Philadelphia Dental Implant Specialist Dr. I. Stephen Brown, looks, feels and functions so naturally, she is unaware that she has had a tooth replaced.

Below are the before and after photos:

If have questions about this case or about having your own dental implant placed, contact Dr. I. Stephen Brown at the Perio Group 215.735.3660. To read more about Montgomery County dental implant placement, visit Dr. Brown's website at http://www.theperiogroup.com/.

Montgomery County Periodontist Provides Tooth Extractions Without Trauma

The offices of Periodontal and Implant Dentistry Specialist Dr. I. Stephen Brown are unconditionally committed to the lifelong retention of natural teeth in function and health. However, as a dental implant specialist, Philadelphia Periodontist, Dr. Stephen Brown is frequently faced with the difficult decision of how to most appropriately manage severely-compromised teeth from a periodontal or restorative standpoint.

The clinical challenges which result from the extraction of periodontally-hopeless teeth are profound. Treatment planning and atraumatic management of extration sites must focus upon the retention or re-creation of sufficient volume of bone and soft tissue and adequate crestal height and contours to achieve esthetic and functional restorations.

It is extremely important to envision a functionally and cosmetically acceptable tooth replacement and consider ridge preservation or immediate implant placement before the removal of any tooth. Patients are encouraged to consult with Dr. I. Stephen Brown regardging the most efficient way to handle such treatment and to click here to read more about atraumatic extraction and ridge preservation.

By anticipating the possibility of alveolar loss subsequent to the extraction of a tooth, Camden, NJ dental implant specialist Dr. I. Stephen Brown can also minimize the number of surgical procedures a patient may have to endure to achieve optimal treatment results.

Philadelphia Periodontist Dr. Stephen Brown discusses who is a candidate for dental implants

Dr. I. Stephen Brown recently was interviewed by Randy Alvarez of the Wellness Hour, the leader in Medical News and Information.

Click here or on the image to watch the interview. Dr. Brown is the premier periodontist in Philadelphia and has several academic appointments. Playing this video will show people looking for dental implants Philadelphia all they need to know.

Benefits of Dental Implant Treatment

We all feel that our teeth are important. But, when changes in your smile begin to affect your quality of life, the health, function, and appearance of your teeth take on a whole new meaning. Nobody should have to endure unhealthy or missing teeth, or the embarrassment of slipping dentures. Now, with dental implants, your dentist can restore your missing teeth without having to grind down adjacent teeth for fixed bridges and crowns or having to wear traditional dentures and discomfort and embarrassment associated with dental adhesives.

There are many benefits associated with implant treatment. Replacing a missing tooth with an implant virtually stops the bone deteriorations (bone collapse) process, restores natural biting and chewing capacity, and helps preserve your youthful facial appearance. A dental implant looks, feels, and functions like a natural tooth while leaving adjacent teeth uncompromised. Implants resist the attachment of plaque and calculus, and they clean like natural teeth. They improve your digestion and eliminate the pain of dentures and partials. Dental implants benefit denture-wearers because they increase comfort and stability by eliminating the need for adhesives.

Dental implant treatment:
-Preserves youthful facial appearance
-Virtually stops the bone deterioration (bone collapse) process
-Restores natural biting and chewing capacity
-Looks, feels, and functions like a natural tooth
-Does not compromise adjacent teeth
-Increases comfort and stability (eliminates need for adhesives)
-Eliminates pain of dentures and partials
-Improves digestion
-Hygienic (cleaned like a natural tooth)

Learn more about the life-changing effects of Philadelphia dental implants, by visiting Dr. Brown at The Perio Group.