The safety, health and well-being of our mutual patients has always been our top priority. Whether this is through the care we provide or the environment of our surgical facilities. Our internal policies and procedures have always exceeded federally mandated guidelines to protect our patients and staff. Our commitment to provide your patients the safest care throughout this evolving situation is not something we take lightly.
We always have and will continue to go above and beyond to ensure that we are exceeding the highest standard of care and customer service.
Here are a few extra precautions that we are taking, but not limited to:
• Monitoring guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization.
• Following the news related to local conditions on an hourly basis.
• Increasing the frequency of our sanitation practices inside and outside our surgical facilities.
• Wiping down our waiting rooms, chairs, counters and door handles hourly.
• Providing additional hand sanitizer to patients.
• Allowing our patients to wait in their cars or outside our office and notifying them when we are ready for their appointment.
We are also asking our patients a few questions to help mitigate any potential exposures. These questions are:
• If you are a patient who has traveled outside the US within the last month
• Had contact with someone who traveled outside the US and was/is now sick
• Had contact with someone who was diagnosed with the novel coronavirus or the flu
• Are you experiencing any of the following symptoms: Temperature, Active Cough or Trouble Breathing
If you answer yes, our doctor will be informed and will take appropriate action to protect patients and staff.
Sincerely,
The Doctors and Staff at SVII
Many patients wonder if they can count on using a dental implant for teeth replacement instead of having a bridge put in. Implants are optimal for the replacement of small spans of teeth, having been originally devised for it. While implant placement procedures and techniques have advanced quite a bit, allowing for everything from single-tooth to full-arch replacement, the implant still requires supporting tissue to properly anchor it. That is why so many patients are unsure if they qualify, since tooth loss is often accompanied by tissue loss. Luckily, bone grafting provides a path forward in those cases.
How Grafts Help With Implant Access
When patients lack the tissue needed to properly anchor an implant in the jaw, a tissue graft can help create the scaffolding needed. Properly placed grafts heal into position and generate new tissue to compensate for what was lost due to gum disease, trauma, or other causes. Simple tissue grafts to add more to the gums are very common, and bone grafts can even be used to add thicker support below sinus cavities or to strengthen a jawbone.
Can Grafts Be Placed With Implants?
That’s a good question, and it depends on which patient asks it. Dr. Saunders can place most implants as part of the same procedure that places grafts around them to hold them where they should be, but some cases might require two procedures. It depends on the exact grafting technique in play and the patient’s health.
Once implants are placed, they are built to help preserve jaw tissue, so after a graft most patients find the tissue degeneration will not return.
For more information, contact the Shenandoah Valley Implant Institute today to set up your consultation. Our team is ready to help you find a convenient time to learn more.