 |
|
 |
|
Serving the Town of Stamford, Connecticut
|
|
koconnor@thestamfordtimes.com
STAMFORD — There is good news for people looking for an easy way to get a brand new shiny white smile, according to Dr. Jack DeGrado, D.D.S., of the Stamford Dental Group.
DeGrado has recently started using a new technology called mini-implants. Dental implants are metal posts surgically positioned into the jawbone beneath the gum, which are attached to dentures. Mini-implants effectively do the same thing as the old dental implants, DeGrado said, but they are one third the size, and they will help improve the quality of dentures, enabling them to last longer for patients who use them.
"These mini-implants will require less surgery than regular implants," said DeGrado, whose dental practice is located at 47 Oak St. in Stamford. "They will also be more affordable for people, which are two major things patients look for."
Those getting the procedure done only need to go in for one simple surgery, he said, and come out with four new mini-implants. With the old implants, a patient would have to go in for several surgeries, which could take up to six months.
"This is a pretty easy process," said DeGrado. "You don't need sedation for the surgery. It's as quick as a simple filling, which is nice."
The whole procedure for mini-implants costs approximately $2,000 compared to the cost of a set of old implants, which is at least $8,000, said DeGrado.
"These mini-implants are really cost-effective," said DeGrado, "which is really important because some patients really need dentures and don't know where to turn to if they can't afford them. This is a great solution."
Another nice aspect of these mini-implants is that they are very comfortable, said DeGrado. Chewing food is more comfortable with the new mini-implants, he said, and a patient does not have to change their diet after getting mini-implants.
"With old implants I know that patients have had to cut out certain foods like carrots or other vegetables, this is not the case with mini implants," said DeGrado. "Not to mention it saves you from being in an embarrassing situation, which nobody wants to be in."
Mini-implants are a great alternative for people who can't afford the old implants or are not eligible for them for one reason or another, he said.
"This is a relatively new procedure and many people do not even know about it yet," said DeGrado. "There is new technology out there every year and I hope that awareness will be raised about these mini-implants, so we can help people that need it."