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Patients discover the ideal

scenario with Amsterdam

Dental Group’s MIDI™—

Minimally Invasive Dental

Implants: less time, less

discomfort, better results

by Glori Gayster

At a time when dental technologyis the rage and phrases such as “intra-oral camera,” “digital radiography” and

“imaging software” are part of the common ver-nacular, Amsterdam Dental Group never losessight of the patient. So while dental implantshave existed in dentistry for quite some time, forthose requiring them, fears and concerns arevery personal.

Some patients are anxious about pain orlong recovery. Others want to enjoy all their fa-vorite foods or leave the office looking the sameas when they arrived. No matter the concern,Amsterdam Dental Group and its four dual-trained specialists are leading the field withMIDI™—the revolutionary minimally invasivemeans of placing dental implants.

But how does MIDI™ create more beautifulsmiles while achieving greater patient comfort,more precise implant placement and shortenedhealing time?

The Technique Put SimplyMIDI™ is a true blend of art and science. Withthe 3-D X-rays and scanners, a patient’s mouthand jaw are virtually recreated—illustrating the

exact height, width and length of available boneand important surrounding gum tissue. Specialsoftware uses this data to allow the doctors toprecisely plan the entire dental implant proce-dure and review all surgical decisions before it’sperformed in the patient’s mouth.

The key to performing MIDI™ is the abilityto 3-D print precise surgical guides. Whether re-placing one tooth or a complete dentition, thisguide is the basis for precision and comfort.

“By being able to plan the surgical proce-dure on the computer using a CAT scan, wecan have a 3-D surgical guide created that willplace the implant where it needs to go withoutus having to actually physically look at thebone,” explains Harold S. Baumgarten, D.M.D.,of Amsterdam Dental, which has offices inPhiladelphia and Paoli.

Once the computer planning is completedand the guide is fabricated, the MIDI™ tech-nique is performed. While still a surgical pro-cedure, less manipulation of gum tissue andbone exposure leads to reduced surgery timeand often no sutures at all. “It’s a method ofplacing dental implants that minimizes patientdiscomfort and postoperative pain and

Many Reasons to Smile

D PROFILED PROFILE

62|PHILADELPHIA LIFE/SUBURBAN LIFENOVEMBER 2016

Dr. Fraiman explains the MIDI™technique to a patient.

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PHILADELPHIA LIFE/SUBURBAN LIFE |63NOVEMBER 2016

swelling,” adds Dr. Baumgarten. Amsterdam Dental Group’s Howard P.

Fraiman, D.M.D., likens the procedure to havingarthroscopic knee surgery versus the tradi-tional method of “opening up a knee.” MIDI™procedures feature much smaller surgicalsites. “It’s the most precise, most comfortableimplant procedure you can have,” he says.

A Patient’s PerspectiveFor patients, MIDI™ is the ideal scenario—lesstime, less discomfort, better results.

Dr. Baumgarten recounts Amy T.’s recentcase in which MIDI™ was the perfect solution:“Amy had suffered trauma to an upper front toothwhen she was very young. As a result, the toothroot had begun to resorb and if untreated, it wouldeventually weaken and be at risk of fracture.”

“I was extremely anxious,” Amy says. “Itwas a front tooth, and the idea of having itpulled was a bit overwhelming.” There werethe immediate concerns. Would she leave theoffice without a tooth? Could she return to workas a teacher and smile normally? These werefollowed by long-term questions about whatAmy would and wouldn’t be able to eat. “I loveapples so it might sound silly, but I had to won-der: Would I be able to bite into one again?”

Fellow practice specialist Jeffrey S. Ingber,D.M.D., shares, “Amy’s fears are not unique.We hear them a lot. However, they are verypersonal to the patient who is putting his or hercare in our hands.”

Amy’s case started with comprehensivecomputerized pre-planning. A CT scan was used,along with a replica of her teeth and jaw, to ulti-mately create a 3-D surgical guide. This tool inthe hands of well-trained specialists provides forhighly precise implant placement. Knowing thedentist is able to anticipate any possible issuesand plot a meticulous course provides a greatamount of patient peace of mind.

As Dr. Baumgarten goes on to explain,“Amy’s tooth was extracted and a dental implantplaced using the minimally invasive techniquewith a temporary tooth affixed that same day.This allowed Amy to smile and function as be-fore, while the implant healed. A final abutmentand crown was made after the implant had be-

come completely integrated.”“Unlike traditional implant surgery, MIDI™

pre-treatment, computer-guided planninghelps us avoid steps that previously led to amore traumatic type of healing,” adds Amster-dam Dental’s Caleb J. Cross, D.M.D, M.B.A.“Most patients are pleasantly surprised.”

Like Amy, Bill K. needed a tooth extractedand implant placed. “I’d had dental work be-fore but was fascinated by the team’s excite-ment with this MIDI™ technique,” he says. Indescribing his case, he recounts the doctors’words—“delicate” and “gentle”—and remem-bers being comforted by the informative, step-by-step explanation throughout the procedure.“Drs. Fraiman and Cross were extremely thor-ough and welcomed all my questions,” hesays. “Their enthusiasm was contagious.”

Dr. Fraiman adds, “People want to leave theoffice looking the same as when they arrived. InBill’s case, as in others, we are able to use theoriginal tooth as a temporary while awaiting thepermanent crown—extracting it, placing the im-plant and fabricating the tooth to fit temporarily.No one will know the difference.”

The End ResultRestorations are all about the most finite of de-tails. From the state-of-the-art CT scanner to the

computer-guided surgical planning softwareand in-office dental laboratory, Amsterdam Den-tal’s dentists have no need to outsource any partof the implant process.

According to Dr. Fraiman, the accuracyand precision of dental implant placement isparamount to the achievement of an aes-thetic result. “Success requires close collabo-ration between the surgical specialist to placeimplants accurately and restorative specialistto reconstruct implants aesthetically andfunctionally,” he says.

The knowledge of both specialties pro-vides insight on how the implant placementand restoration influence each other. Adual-trained dental specialist is uniquelyqualified to provide the best possible result,and Amsterdam Dental Group has four suchdentists who have all completed postdoc-toral specialty training in both Periodonticsand Fixed Prosthodontics at the Universityof Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine.

“My experience at Amsterdam was trulyincredible,” Amy says—yes, with a big smile.“Dr. Baumgarten explained the entireprocess in a way I could understand to easemy fears which couldn’t have been better.The entire staff took the time to know me asa person. I wasn’t just a case.” n

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Amsterdam Dental Groupwww.amsterdamdentalgroup.comMIDI.Dental100 S. Broad Street, Suite 2000Philadelphia, PA 19110215-568-81301800 E. Lancaster Ave., Suite GPaoli, PA 19301610-651-5611

Amsterdam Dental Group’s team of dentists includes(left to right) Howard P. Fraiman, D.M.D.; Harold S.Baumgarten, D.M.D.; Caleb J. Cross, D.M.D., M.B.A.;Fedele A. Musso, D.M.D.; and M. Barry Moskowitz,D.M.D. Not pictured: Jeffrey S. Ingber, D.M.D.

Amsterdam Dental has offices in Philadelphiaand Paoli, each outfitted with state-of-the-arttechnology.

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