III. Immediate implant therapy: Approximately 95% of all situations where teeth are to be extracted and implants placed are treated with implant placement at the time of tooth extraction. Use of immediate implant therapy affords a number of advantages to the patient, including lessening the number of surgical visits, minimizing bone resorption, and shortening the overall course of therapy. We have written many of the most cited articles regarding techniques for immediate implant therapy and regularly teach courses about this topic.

IV. Immediate implant placement and temporization in the anterior region: As mentioned, implants can be placed and restored with immediate temporary crown approximately 95% of the time. In addition to the above mentioned advantages, temporization helps support the soft tissues and contributes significantly to maximization of esthetic treatment outcome.

V. Immediate implant placement at the time of molar extraction: We are able to place implants in ideal positions at the time of molar extraction approximately 95% of the time. We have developed and published many of the techniques now taught regarding immediate implant placement at the time of molar extraction. Advantages to our approach include:

A. These implants are placed in ideal positions, not at compromised angulations.

B. The number of surgical visits is shortened for the patient.

C. The cost of therapy is lessened as only one surgery is required.

D. The overall treatment time is lessened.

E. Communication with the referring doctor:

F. Communication regarding emergency patients is carried out as described above.

G. When all other patients are seen for consultation visits, the referring doctors are called when the patient is in the chair, if appropriate.

H. Consultation letters regarding our findings are sent out within one or two business days of the consultation visit. Additional letters include update and finished treatment letters at various stages of treatment.

I. In complex cases, a treatment plan letter is formulated with the referring doctor or doctors involved in care. We will compile this letter, “run it by” all doctors for their input or modifications, and send it to the patient. This letter serves both as an outline of therapy, and to help avoid any confusion with the patient regarding fees to be charged by us or other doctors involved in the therapy.

J. We take digital x-rays. A copy of these x-rays is immediately mailed to the doctor in a hard copy, or e-mailed to the doctor if possible. We are able to send a representative from Schick into referring doctors offices to perform a free upgrade on their computers, allowing them to receive the e-mailed x-rays.

K. Joint patient treatment planning: We utilize a number of technology and instruments to help us and            the referring doctors formulate ideal treatment plans for their patients.

L. CAT Scan: We refer our patients to take low radiation CAT scans for referred patients at Radiology Counsulting group. This procedure is fast, simple and is delivered at a fraction of the cost at other facilities. The charge to the patient for a CAT scan of both jaws is $250.00. The use of the CAT scan allows us to visualize the available bone more precisely, to place implants in more ideal positions, and to place implants in sites that previously were deemed untreatable.

M. Implant planning software: We utilize a number of implant placement planning software. The software employed is dependent upon the case to be treated, as each software system presents with pluses and minuses. Utilizing planning software in conjunction with referring dentists to plan ideal implant position ensures both the maximization of treatment outcome, and a greater ease of restorative procedures for the referring dentists. In addition, temporary fixed prostheses may be fabricated in advance of implant placement where applicable, and easily inserted the day of implant placement.

N. A simple articulator system is available for use in more complex cases, so that we may better visualize patient needs and formulate a comprehensive treatment plan with the referring doctor.

O. We are always available to review patient x-rays and models, and to put together treatment plans with referring doctors. We meet with doctors before and after hours, or during the day for these purposes.

P. We are an accurate, realistic resource for restorative dentists as they have questions on how to price various treatments. Due to our interactions with a vast number of dentists, and our past implant experience, we are able to offer accurate information regarding laboratory fees, component costs, and appropriate fee schedules.

Q. Materials selection: We utilize only the highest quality implant and regenerative materials. No products are employed, including implants and implant designs unless they have been tested and reported on prior to them being available for general utilization. It is improper and unethical for any of us to ask our patients to serve as beta sites for new products which companies wish to push to the market. The implant and regenerative fields have been plagued by such premature product release and ultimate treatment failure. Our patients deserve better than such “care”.

A. Procurement of the material is very simple and atraumatic for the patient.

B. Hard and soft tissue healing are accelerated. Sites one week post operatively demonstrate the same degree of soft tissue healing as would usually be seen in sites three weeks postoperatively.

C. The quality of regenerated bone is significantly enhanced.

R. Restorative Therapy: Although we never perform implant restorative therapy, we remain intimately involved in all aspects of care, so as to better assist both the referring doctor and the patient.

S. As previously mentioned, we will spend as much time as necessary with the referring doctor examining available treatment options and formulating both ideal and alternative treatment plans.

T. We will construct a consultation letter from all practitioners, which is approved by all practitioners. This letter is given to the patient and is an invaluable aid in both case acceptance and the progression of therapy.

U. The educational CDs and hands-on materials are available.

V. We stock all implant restorative parts which may be needed by the restorative dentist. The referring doctor always has the option of getting the parts from us should he or she be unsure of what to order, or be “caught short” at anytime. We keep a full up-to-date inventory of these parts, including new abutments as they are released to the dental community.

W. Due to our involvement with implant education and development, we receive many restorative components before they are released for general use.

X. Educational opportunities: We host or speak at evening or full day presentations for our referring partners throughout the year. The evening presentations are held in our conference center. Full day presentations with larger crowds are held at a local restaurant.

Y. All aspects of therapy are discussed in presentations about both natural teeth and implants.

Z. Both local and internationally renowned speakers give presentations for us. Because we lecture regularly.

The referring doctor is able to attain all the required CE credits for reaccreditation through our programs.

Various clinical programs are given which are aimed at all levels of implant restorative expertise.

Small practice management forums are held to help us all meet the business challenges of clinical practice.

The patient experience: Our goal is always to afford the patient the most pleasant experience possible while delivering the highest quality care.

Immediate attentive care is always provided.

We make every effort to run precisely on schedule. We accomplish this goal approximately 98% of the time.

We utilize customized patient information brochures and materials to help patients better understand their need for therapy. We also provide these brochures to our referring partners so that they may utilize them to help facilitate their consultation visits with the patients.

We provide complimentary livery service from the patient’s home to the office and back to the patient’s home on the day of service, should the patient so desire. This service eliminates the problem of patients being afraid to drive after having therapy performed; patients having to secure rides from other people; and infirm patients having to get themselves to and from the office.

Our web site focuses upon patient information and explains therapeutic needs and goals in all types of situations.

You can view the web site at www.toledoperio.com.

We provide anesthesia to patients who are too nervous to have therapy performed “under Novocain”. While such anesthesia use is rarely necessary, as we spend quite a bit of time making patients feel comfortable in our office, anesthesia is available when patients prefer it.