A natural, nonsurgical tooth replacement system may soon be on the market
March 8, 2013
If you’re going to Cologne, you’re taking advantage of an excellent opportunity to see new dental products and procedures from all over the world – even those that aren’t available in the U.S. (yet).
One such product is the Replicate Nonsurgical Tooth Replacement System by Natural Dental Implants, an alternative to traditional dental implants and three-unit dental bridges.
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Unlike traditional tooth replacements, the Replicate System acts as the natural tooth and eliminates the need to perform an osteotomy on the patient. “The patient never goes without a tooth, and they don’t have to endure multiple surgical procedures,” said Alex Touchstone, DDS, the first American dentist to be appointed to the Clinical Advisory Board of Natural Dental Implants.
The procedure is also more efficient and profitable for the dentist, Dr. Touchstone affirmed.
The Replicate System process begins before the tooth is extracted. The dentist takes a cone beam CT scan and impressions of the tooth crown, which are then sent to the lab, along with special instructions on the abutment color and location of the implant abutment interface. The NDI lab, located in Berlin, then designs a unique tooth for the patient within five days.
Once the patient’s tooth is ready, the natural tooth is loosened and removed and the implant is placed. No drills, no gingival flap, no bone removals.
“I'm very excited about the Replicate Nonsurgical Tooth Replacement System because it is 100% customized to the anatomical shape of the tooth being replaced,” Dr. Touchstone said in a press release. “In fact, each Replicate tooth is as unique as the patient it is designed for, from the tip of the root to the top of the crown – that's a major development!”
The Replicate Nonsurgical Tooth Replacement System is currently available in Germany and Switzerland. It will be launched in the U.S. after it receives clearance from the FDA, but you can get a sneak peak of the system and procedure at the 35th International Dental Show, March 12-16, 2013. Natural Dental Implants can be found in Hall 11.3, Stand F008 G009.
For more information, visitreplicatetooth.com.
Lauren Burns is the editor of Proofs magazine and the email newsletters RDH Graduate and Proofs. She is currently based out of New York City. Follow her on Twitter: @ellekeid.
