Dental Implants

Missing teeth are not only embarrassing; they also affect the other teeth in your mouth and your bite. If you are missing one tooth or several, or if you have dentures or bridges, you need to consider dental implants. Implants can provide permanent replacement of missing teeth or can be used to stabilize a removable denture, many of which can be done in one visit! No more adhesives or creams, and you can eat the foods you love again without worrying about your crowns, bridges or dentures coming loose! Dental Implants have evolved into the most effective way to give you a lasting smile that you can be proud of!

With Dental Implants, a small titanium post is inserted into your natural jaw bone to serve as the anchor for your replacement tooth, bridge, or dentures. If you are considering Dental Implants, Dr. Hughes and his staff will do a complete examination and evaluation to determine if you are a candidate for Dental Implants. There are several factors and criteria to be met for a successful Dental Implant. Dr. Hughes and staff can perform a CAT scan for you right in the office without you having to go to a center. A plan and a 3D representation can be presented to you within minutes of your scan!

The PRGF Technique

At our office, we offer the PRGF Technique.

When we suffer any injury, the human body releases proteins (cellular signals) to stimulate the process of repairing that injury. The PRGF technique isolates from the blood plasma these proteins which are responsible for wound healing and tissue regeneration. Once a therapeutic dose is applied to the treatment area, the repair process is accelerated. To carry out this process, it is necessary to draw a small amount of blood from the patient, from which the Plasma Rich in Growth Factors - or proteins - are obtained through a centrifuge spinning process. This plasma is then placed where healing or regeneration of tissue and bone is needed.

3D Scanning

Dental Implants | 3D Scanning | Columbus As one of the leading manufacturers of dental technology, Sirona provides advanced 3D scanning through the GALILEOS Compact system to help improve diagnosis and treatment planning for both patient and dentist, as well as improving communication, as these images can be viewed together to discuss the patient’s individual condition. At Pacer Dental, we are proud to offer patients this state-of-the-art imaging technology.

The GALILEOS Compact system uses low doses of radiation to produce high quality, three-dimensional images of the entire mouth to help your dentist accurately diagnose your condition and develop an effective and thorough treatment plan. Images are taken from a full range of different angles in just a few seconds, and are helpful in evaluating conditions such as impacted wisdom teeth, periodontal bone loss and determining the source of dental pain.

Relaxed Dentistry

For many years, there has been a certain stigma surrounding the phobia many people experience when going to the dentist, whether it is the awkward feeling of having someone poke around your mouth and inspect your teeth, or the anticipation of potentially painful procedures such as getting a cavity filled or getting a tooth removed. Sedation dentistry can relieve these anxieties by relaxing patients through the use of sedatives ranging from nitrous oxide gas, pills that relax or methods as extensive as IV sedation.

Although sedation dentistry implies unconsciousness, normally patients do not fall asleep. They are brought to a relaxed state where they are aware of their surroundings and situation, but simply not anxious about it. This allows the patient to experience a sleep-like effect, while maintaining the ability to verbally and physically respond to hold positions the dentist adjusts them in.

There are many advantages to sedation dentistry. The most obvious one is that it alleviates anxiety associated with the dentist's office, allowing the patient to maintain a healthy attendance record because they are no longer scared to go. Sedating the patient also allows for longer procedures to be completed in fewer visits, due to the patient being more willing to be worked on for longer periods of time. Patients who have abnormally strong gag reflexes, past traumatic dental experiences, and extremely sensitive teeth may also benefit from sedation dentistry.

Different from Local Anesthetic

Although sedation produces a relaxed state, it does not produce the same effect as the anesthetic that numbs teeth and gums, which is used for most dental procedures. Patients will still require local anesthesia to help eliminate the pain of the procedure.

Patients that benefit from sedation dentistry include those who:

Have a low pain threshold
Have sensitive teeth
Can't sit still in the dentist's chair
Have a bad gag reflex
Need a large amount of dental work done

Dr. Hughes and his staff want you to have healthy teeth and gums. They also know that many people experience anxiety about undergoing dental work or even visiting the dentist at all, a fear known as dental phobia. This can keep them from seeking proper dental care and may be compromising to their dental health. However, now relief for patients with dental phobia is available through sedation dentistry at Pacer Dental.