Innovations in Dental Implants: What Patients Need to Know
Dental implants are titanium posts surgically placed into the jawbone to act as artificial tooth roots. They provide a stable foundation for crowns, bridges, or dentures, offering a permanent solution for tooth loss.
Recent Advancements in Dental Implant Technology
1. 3D Imaging and Digital Planning
Advanced imaging technology allows for precise mapping of your oral anatomy. Digital planning software ensures optimal implant placement, improving accuracy and reducing the risk of complications.
2. Guided Implant Surgery
Using computer-guided techniques, your dentist can perform implant surgery with unparalleled precision. This approach minimizes invasive procedures, leading to faster recovery times and better outcomes.
3. Immediate Load Implants
New technology enables some implants to support a temporary crown immediately after placement, eliminating the wait for healing before restoring your smile.
4. Enhanced Surface Technology
Modern implants feature surfaces designed to promote faster integration with the bone. This accelerates healing and improves the stability of the implant over time.
5. All-on-4® and Similar Systems
These systems allow for the placement of a full arch of teeth using just four implants. They are ideal for patients with significant tooth loss and offer a quicker, cost-effective alternative to traditional implant procedures.
6. Advantages of Modern Dental Implants
– Natural Appearance: Implants look and feel like natural teeth, restoring your confidence.
– Improved Comfort: Enhanced techniques make the procedure less invasive, with shorter recovery times.
– Durability: With proper care, implants can last a lifetime.
– Preservation of Jawbone: Implants stimulate bone growth, preventing the bone loss that often accompanies tooth loss.
– Better Functionality: Enjoy the freedom to eat, speak, and smile without discomfort or worry.
Is Dental Implant Treatment Right for You?
Innovations in dental implant technology have made tooth replacement more effective, comfortable, and accessible than ever. If you’re considering dental implants, now is the perfect time to explore your options.
Dental implants are suitable for most patients with healthy gums and sufficient bone to support them. During your consultation at Britten Periodontics and Implant Dentistry, we’ll assess your oral health, discuss your goals, and create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Contact Britten Periodontics and Implant Dentistry today to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward a healthier, more confident smile.
Clearwater Periodontist Expands Services with Advanced Tissue Grafting Techniques
Dr. Todd Britten provides advanced tissue grafting techniques in his Clearwater, Florida practice. Patients will benefit from these innovative procedures designed to restore gum health, enhance oral function, and improve esthetic concerns.
Tissue grafting is a critical procedure for addressing gum recession, restoring lost tissue, and improving the stability of teeth. These highly specialized techniques include connective tissue grafts, free gingival grafting and even grafting around dental implants. He uses the latest advancements in periodontal science to offer superior results with minimal discomfort.
“Our goal is to provide our patients with the most effective and comfortable treatments available,” said Dr. Todd Britten, owner at Britten Periodontics and Implant Dentistry. “By incorporating these advanced tissue grafting techniques, we can better address complex cases of gum recession and ensure a high standard of care.”
Key Benefits of Advanced Tissue Grafting Techniques Include:
– Enhanced Precision
– Improved Aesthetic Results
– Faster Recovery
– Increased Success Rates
Dr. Britten encourages patients experiencing gum recession or other periodontal issues to schedule a consultation to learn more about how our new tissue grafting techniques can help. For more information or to book an appointment, please contact us at 727-586-2681.
Britten Periodontics & Implant Dentistry is a leading periodontal practice in Clearwater, Florida, committed to providing exceptional dental care through innovative treatments and personalized attention. Our expert team is dedicated to improving oral health and enhancing the quality of life for their patients.

While regular brushing, flossing, and checkups allow many of us to maintain our natural smiles for a lifetime, sometimes our teeth just can’t keep up. If you’ve lost a tooth (or a few teeth) due to injury or disease, dental implants can rejuvenate both your smile and your oral health.
An implant is a synthetic tooth root in the shape of a post that is surgically placed into the jawbone. The “root” is usually made of titanium (the same material used in many replacement hips and knees), a metal that is well suited to pairing with human bone. A replacement tooth is then fixed to the post. The tooth can be either permanently attached or removable. Permanent teeth are more stable and feel more like natural teeth.
The ideal candidate for implants is a non-smoker who has good oral health, including a sufficient amount of bone in the jaw and healthy gums with no sign of gum disease.
There are actually several negative consequences of missing some or all of your teeth. First, missing teeth will affect the esthetics of your face. Not only will your smile be affected by the gaps from missing teeth, but if you’re missing too many teeth, the skin around your mouth won’t be supported properly and will start to sag, making your appear older than you are. Additionally, missing teeth will make it more difficult to chew your food properly and may even affect the way you speak. Finally, missing even one tooth may have emotional consequences; many people feel less confident about their smile when they are missing teeth. If you are currently missing any of your teeth, consider replacing them with dental implants, which can look and feel just like natural teeth. For more information about implants, browse perio.org or talk to your periodontist.
A team of international researchers published their findings in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology this month stating that patients with Gum Disease are more likely to have severe complications from COVID-19. 568 patients were studied and those with periodontitis – the most severe form of gum disease – were more likely to experience COVID‐19 complications. These complications included including death, ICU admission, and the need for assisted ventilation.
Dr. Todd Britten, a periodontist in Clearwater, Florida says that this study reinforces what he tells his patients every day – Oral health is extremely important for overall health. “This study, showing that patients with gum disease are at least three times more likely to have severe complications from the COVID-19 virus, shows us that treating and controlling periodontal disease remains extremely important, even in a pandemic.”
Dr. Britten stressed this study shows patients should still continue to see their periodontist or dentist. “Depending on your needs, your dentist or periodontist can treat gum disease infection through surgical or non-surgical therapy.” Dr. Todd Britten also said it is crucial that patients also keep dental hygiene cleaning visits to prevent gum disease and for those who have been treated for gum disease in the past stay on a 3 or 4 month schedule with their dental hygienist to avoid periodontal reinfection.
The findings also show the importance of good oral hygiene care at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, says Dr. Britten. According to the Academy of Periodontics, the nation’s leading organization of periodontists, “systemic inflammation is not only linked with periodontal disease, but to several other respiratory diseases as well.” Dr. James G. Wilson, President of the AAP states that this study linking periodontitis and COVID-19 complications, “Therefore, maintaining healthy teeth and gums in an effort to avoid developing or worsening periodontal disease is absolutely crucial in the midst of a global pandemic like COVID-19, which is also known to trigger an inflammatory response.” Dr. Britten states he emphatically agrees with the AAP.
There are a few resources you can research for financial assistance. The first is your periodontist. Many periodontists are willing to set up financing options, such as a payment plan. They also may know of insurance plans that can help cover the cost of your implants.
Another resource is your state dental society. They may be able to give a listing of organizations or individuals that may help subsidize the cost of your implants. Find the contact information for your state society.
Finally, contact a local college or university. Many universities have dental schools that offer clinics that provide care at a reduced cost. Select from a list of schools that have periodontal programs.
Most periodontists spend the majority of their time diagnosing and treating gum disease, but there are a variety other procedures that they are able to perform. Periodontists place dental implants when natural teeth cannot be saved. They also monitor the implants to make sure that they’re properly doing their job. Periodontists may also correct gum recession and cover up exposed root surfaces which can be unsightly as well as sensitive to hot and cold. These procedures are often used to lay the foundation for additional cosmetic procedures to help create a beautiful smile. Finally, periodontists can be integral in the comprehensive planning of your oral care, along with your general dentist or other dental professional.
-Perio.org






