There’s a lot more to losing a tooth than just making your smile look great again. How you go about your everyday life is hugely affected. Chewing your food, speaking, smiling, and even social situations. That’s why Dr. Drew Richardson and Dr. Brant Sandifer at Athens Dental Group use CBCT-guided technology for dental implant placement.
What Are Dental Implants Exactly?
Dental implants are made with a titanium post that goes into your jawbone. Basically, it replaces the root of the real tooth you lost. It takes a few months to heal and fuse with your bone.
Once that’s done, your dentist attaches a porcelain crown on top to complete your new tooth. Sometimes this can be a bridge or implant-supported dentures.
Why Is Guided Implant Placement a Good Fit for Older Adults?
Dental implants work exactly like real teeth. And they look like one. When you’re missing teeth, you’ll probably find yourself skipping foods you used to love. You may even pull away from social situations because you’re uncomfortable or self-conscious. Implants make all of those issues go away.
Why Are CBCT-Guided Implants Safer for Older Adults?
CBCT stands for cone-beam computed tomography. It takes 3D images of your jaw and the bone around the site being treated, along with your nerves. This kind of precise imaging helps dentists get an extremely detailed grasp of exactly how much bone has been lost. So Dr. Richardson and Dr. Sandifer know the exact spots where your bone is strongest and can support an implant.
What Are the Benefits of Minimally Invasive Implant Treatment?
Guided implant placement is much more precise thanks to CBCT scans. Why this matters (a lot):
- Less tissue damage means you heal faster.
- You’ll have less swelling and soreness because of the smaller incisions made.
- Extremely precise placement, thanks to the 3D images.
- Lowered risk of nerve damage.
Does CBCT Technology Help Implants Last Longer?
It’s your jawbone that holds a dental implant in place. If you don’t have thick enough bone density, dental implants can fail down the road. Dr. Richardson and Dr. Sandifer will know if they need to try options like bone grafting. All of this can lead to implants that last for years.
What’s the CBCT-Guided Implants Process at Athens Dental Group?
Here’s a general overview of the process:
- CBCT scans are taken to capture 3D images.
- Your dentist maps out exactly where to place your dental implants.
- A minor surgical procedure is done to place the titanium post.
- The healing process and osseointegration begin.
- Permanent placement of your crown, bridge, or dentures.
How Can You Get Guided Implant Placement in Watkinsville, GA?
Dr. Brant Sandifer Connect Dr. Brant Sandifer on LinkedIn
Highly regarded local dentist
Dr. Brant Sandifer graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Biology degree from the
University of Georgia. He earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine from the
Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University. Since 2017, Dr. Sandifer has been dedicated to providing exceptional dental care in Athens. He is passionate about creating healthy, beautiful smiles that last a lifetime. Dr. Sandifer is actively involved in the community and is trusted by his patients to provide the highest standard of dental care.
Dr. Drew Richardson Connect Dr. Drew Richardson on LinkedIn
An esteemed local dentist,
Dr. Drew Richardson earned his Biology degree Summa Cum Laude from the
University of Georgia. As a Hinman Scholar, he graduated second in his class at the
Dental College of Georgia, joining Phi Kappa Phi and Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honor Societies. Dr. Richardson is a member of the
American Academy of Facial Esthetics and the L.D. Pankey study club and has advanced cosmetic training from Spear Academy. He volunteers at Georgia dental clinics such as Hope Dental Clinic and Christ Community Clinic and has participated in dental missions to Haiti.
Dr. R. Lawrence George
Dr. R. Lawrence George is a distinguished local dentist and a 1971 graduate of the
University of Kentucky College of Dentistry. He was one of four students exempted from their fourth year due to exceptional scholastic and clinical achievements, and he practiced at a U.S. Public Health Service Hospital before graduating. A pioneer in cosmetic dentistry, Dr. George has been trusted to place veneers since 1972, making him one of the first in the area to offer advanced cosmetic services like this.
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