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At Mandeville Center for Dental Excellence, we believe everyone deserves a complete, healthy smile. Over the past three decades, Dr. Charles Schof has witnessed remarkable advancements in dental technology, particularly in the field of tooth replacement. Today, we're excited to share how modern dental implant techniques have revolutionized the way we restore smiles for our Mandeville patients.
When Dr. Schof began practicing dentistry 30 years ago, the standard approach to replacing missing teeth often involved dental bridges. This procedure required grinding down adjacent healthy teeth to support a bridge that would span the gap. While effective at the time, we now understand this approach essentially turned "a one-tooth problem into a three-tooth problem," as Dr. Schof puts it.
The traditional bridge approach presented several long-term challenges:
Today, dental implants have become the undisputed gold standard for tooth replacement in Mandeville and worldwide. Unlike bridges, implants replace both the root and crown of missing teeth, preserving bone structure and maintaining facial features that would otherwise deteriorate over time.
A dental implant is essentially a titanium post that serves as an artificial tooth root. This biocompatible post integrates with your jawbone through a process called osseointegration, creating a stable foundation for a natural-looking crown. The result is a replacement tooth that looks, feels, and functions just like your natural teeth.
What makes implants so revolutionary is their ability to stimulate bone growth, preventing the bone loss that naturally occurs when teeth are missing. This preservation of bone structure maintains facial contours and prevents the aged appearance that often develops after tooth loss.
"The technology and techniques are changing so quickly," notes Dr. Schof. One of the most significant advancements we've implemented at Mandeville Center for Dental Excellence is the same-day implant procedure.
In the past, the implant process would typically involve:
This lengthy process meant patients would be without their tooth or wearing a removable temporary for 6-8 months.
Today, Dr. Schof proudly shares that "over 90% of the time" we can complete tooth removal, implant placement, bone grafting, and temporary crown placement in a single visit. This means you walk out of our Mandeville office with a natural-looking temporary tooth on the same day.
"Patients can expect that when the tooth is removed, grafted, the implant's placed, and a temporary put on top, it's virtually indistinguishable from when they walked in," explains Dr. Schof. Three to four months later, we simply replace the temporary with your permanent restoration.
The accuracy of implant placement is crucial for both aesthetic results and long-term success. At Mandeville Center for Dental Excellence, we've invested in advanced technology to ensure optimal outcomes:
"Guided surgery is the way of the future," Dr. Schof emphasizes. For single or small cases, we utilize XNav technology—a sophisticated GPS-guided computer system that allows us to:
For more extensive cases, such as full-arch replacements, we create computer-generated surgical guides to ensure perfect positioning of multiple implants.
This precision results in:
As Dr. Schof notes, "The next day, patients may be a little bit sore, but they're back to normal function." This remarkable recovery time represents a quantum leap from traditional oral surgery experiences.
We understand that one of the biggest concerns for patients in Mandeville facing tooth loss is the impact on their appearance. "People are very self-conscious of their smile. People don't want to go without a tooth," Dr. Schof acknowledges.
Our same-day approach addresses this concern directly. By placing a temporary crown on your implant immediately, you'll never have to experience the embarrassment of a visible gap in your smile.
Dr. Schof shares one particularly memorable case: "I had a patient come to me—bicycle accident, she went over the handlebars. She came into the office hysterical, but she had the tooth." Despite her distress, we were able to accommodate her immediately, remove the damaged tooth, place an implant, and attach her temporary crown that same day.
"She held the mirror up, she was in tears. She could not believe you could not tell," Dr. Schof recalls. "If it's handled correctly and it's handled in a timely manner, you really can't even tell that it's been done."
This ability to maintain your appearance throughout the treatment process is one of the most appreciated aspects of our approach at Mandeville Center for Dental Excellence.
If you're facing tooth loss, Dr. Schof offers this critical advice: "Do it now. Do not have the tooth removed thinking you're going to come back and have the implant placed a year or two down the road."
When a tooth is removed, the surrounding bone begins to deteriorate almost immediately. This progressive bone loss creates several problems:
"The best time is when the implant goes in, the bone structure stays intact if it's done immediately," Dr. Schof explains. "Waiting and delaying can only cost you more money, more procedures, and sometimes you actually lose the ability to have the implant placed."
At Mandeville Center for Dental Excellence, we prioritize comprehensive treatment planning that considers both immediate needs and long-term oral health. This proactive approach saves our patients time, money, and potential complications.
What sets our practice apart for dental implant patients in Mandeville is our comprehensive approach. Dr. Schof has the training to both place and restore implants, giving him complete control over the outcome.
"Since I have the ability to place the implant and restore it, it gives me better outcomes for sure because I control it," Dr. Schof explains. "The fact that everything's done here, I have the ability to craft it and make it look like a real tooth on that day."
This integrated approach offers several advantages:
Dr. Schof continues to invest in advanced training and technology, ensuring Mandeville patients receive state-of-the-art care. "We've created a culture here... you'll never be better cared for. The technology, the efficiency—I love what I do, I love making people smile."
With our advanced techniques, most patients experience minimal discomfort. The guided approach means less trauma to surrounding tissues, and most patients report being surprised by how comfortable the process was. As Dr. Schof notes, "Healing's quicker, painless most of the time, there's no need for sutures."
With proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime. Unlike bridges that typically need replacement after 10-15 years, implants become a permanent part of your jaw structure. The crown attached to your implant may eventually need replacement due to normal wear, but the implant itself can last indefinitely with good oral hygiene.
While the initial investment in dental implants may be higher than other options, it's important to consider the total value:
Most patients are candidates for our streamlined approach. During your consultation at our Mandeville office, Dr. Schof will evaluate your specific situation, including bone density, gum health, and the location of the missing tooth. Even if your case requires some modification to the same-day protocol, we'll create a treatment plan that minimizes your time without a complete smile.
When selecting a dentist for implant treatment in Mandeville, consider these important factors:
If you're facing tooth loss or struggling with an uncomfortable bridge or denture, we invite you to discover the difference modern implant dentistry can make. Dr. Schof and our compassionate team are dedicated to providing superior solutions for your smile.
"I've been doing this for 30 years, and I just keep learning, and we just keep getting better," Dr. Schof shares. "I invite you—give us a chance. You'll love us."
Don't wait until bone loss limits your options. Contact Mandeville Center for Dental Excellence today at (985) 626-4404 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Schof. Together, we'll develop a personalized plan to restore your smile with the gold standard in tooth replacement—modern dental implants.
