implants and bridges, dentist: Leading Atlanta area dentist, Robert Woods, DDS, PC - Atlanta Georgia Cosmetic and Reconstructive Dental office offering Implants and Bridges

Dr. Woods has been utilizing and studying implant dentistry for nearly twenty years. He has gained Associate Fellow Status in the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. This certification means that Dr. Woods has been certified by his peers and has met national standards of education and practice in oral implantology. Dr. Woods participated in a one year mini-residency sponsored by the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta and the AAID. Following over 400 hours of lecture and hands on training, Dr. Woods passed a written board examination. Dr. Woods then passed an oral board examination to gain this certification.

Dr. Woods is one of few dentists with training and experience in the placement as well as reconstruction of dental implants. He has also gained certification in numerous dental implant systems and annually attends the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons conference on Aesthetics and Dental Implants.

Implants and bridges are used to replace missing teeth. The comfort and esthetic impact can be incredibly dramatic. An unsightly, missing tooth is replaced by a beautiful tooth of just the right shape, size and whiteness.

What some of our patients have to say about their dental implants:

Judy:

"I am totally sold on implants and Dr. Woods. My life took on a totally different path after you fixed my teeth. I was able to meet and greet people without embarrassment, the pain was gone after 15 years of torture and I could enjoy the social interaction that goes along with parties and such. I feel honored to tell people about the miracle of Dr. Woods and my teeth.”

Ms. Judy

Bernce:

Dr. Woods,

"I am extremely pleased with my new implants, mouth, and smile. Since I had been smiling with my mouth closed for so long, it has been great to be able to "flash" my teeth every chance I get. You did a terrific job and I have been telling my story to anyone who will listen. I hope that others will take advantage of the outstanding skills that you have, not just with implants, but with all the services that you provide.

As you know, this has been quite a journey for me and you have been there every step of the way. The research that I did and the education that you provided convinced me that, despite the cost, getting the implants was the best long term solution for me.

I was pleasantly surprised by the lack of pain during the initial surgical procedure and the almost immediate improvement in my mouth. While the healing and waiting time required a little patience, it was well worth the outcome. The entire process went just as you said it would, and I am very pleased with the results.

You and your staff have provided me and Mickey with the best dental services over the years and we are so grateful for that. We look forward to having you in our lives for many years to come."

Bernice

Before and After Photographs of Implant Restorations

Three implants and single crowns

Upper crowns most all lower teeth replaced with dental implants and crowns.

Upper front tooth (right lateral incisor) replaced with a single implant and crown.

Upper front tooth single implant restorations (left central incisor)

Implants
There are a number of causes of missing teeth. Some people are born without certain teeth. Teeth also may be lost due to splits, cracks, gum disease and trauma. Since a missing tooth is so unattractive, an implant or bridge creates a major improvement in your smile. Implants are teeth (or one tooth) that are surgically placed into the area of the missing tooth/teeth.

The advantage of an implant is simple: where you once had a missing tooth, you now have a beautiful porcelain tooth that is indistinguishable from a natural tooth.

Note: Your other teeth benefit from the implant restoration. Tooth loss causes shifting and drifting of the remaining teeth. The implant re-establishes stability.

Since we can replace one missing tooth, we can replace multiple teeth or even replace all of a patients teeth (no more dentures). This means a patient also has the choice of implants instead of bridges.

The Procedure

Like all dental procedures, all implants are not the same. We place the implants and in some circumstances we will work with other team members i.e.: an orthodontist, periodontist and/or oral surgeon.

Most implants utilize a minor surgical procedure under local anesthetic. This involves the precise placement of a titanium root in the jawbone. It takes from two to six months for the bone to mature on the implant. The top of the implant is then uncovered. Impressions are made of the implant and surrounding teeth. These impressions are sent to a laboratory where a crown is fabricated. The crown is then placed on the implant by Dr. Woods.

In many cases, Dr. Woods can place the implant and a restoration at the time of extraction.

The Precision Surgical Guide or Teeth in an Hour

We are now utilizing precision surgical guides for many implant placements. Information gained from a CT Scan allows Dr. Woods to actually perform the surgery on a computer. A surgical guide is fabricated that will direct the placement of the implants. This makes the procedure very precise and reduces treatment time significantly.

If desired, a Precision Prosthesis can be fabricated from the same "digital" information and can be delivered at the surgery as well.

Dr. Woods is one of few dentist who has the advanced training required to place implants as well as restore them. He also has training in numerous types of dental implant systems. If you are in need of maintenance of your dental implants, Dr. Woods can help.

Bridges

Implants and bridges are used to replace missing teeth. The comfort and esthetic impact can be incredibly dramatic. An unsightly, missing tooth is replaced by a beautiful tooth of just the right shape, size and whiteness.

Bridges connect two or more teeth and span a space with a fake tooth. Just as a bridge we normally drive over with our car connect two pieces of land and span an expanse or a body of water. Bridges are made of porcelain or composite resin with or without a metal substructure (although most bridges use metal for strength) and fill the gap of the missing tooth or teeth. The bridge attaches to the surrounding teeth via crowns, inlays, onlays, or wings that attach over or to the backside of these teeth. The fake tooth is connected in between these two.

The Procedure
The procedure takes two appointments. The first appointment is done under local anesthetic. Dr. Woods prepares the teeth to an ideal shape to receive the type of bridge that has been predetermined to best suit your needs. An impression is then made of the area from which a laboratory hand crafts your bridge. Temporaries are then fabricated and placed on your teeth for the interim period that your bridge is being fabricated. (About ten to fourteen working days.) These temporaries look and function like real teeth. At your second appointment the bridge is cemented in place.

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Robert D. Woods, DDS, PC

Alpharetta | 678-325-3394

Dunwoody | 770-551-0808

implant dentistry, dental Implants and reconstructive dentistry combined with advanced training make SmileScapes, the dental office of Dr. Robert D. Woods the choice for implant dentistry for patients everywhere, including Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, Marietta, Roswell, Alpharetta, Milton, Johns Creek, Buckhead, Athens, Suwanee, Cumming, Norcross, North Fulton, Georgia.