Dr. DeGroot is a great surgeon and spends as much time as a patient needs to answer questions. The…read moresupport staff is also top-notch. He extracted both of my bottom front teeth and installed an implant w/cantilever to replace them. Because they were front teeth, there was a need to have a bone graft (as apparently the front teeth do not have as much bone and space to have a lot to attach the implant). No one wants to go thru such a thing, but if I had to do it again, I would again use Dr. Bradley DeGroot.
Details:
* he provided the options available to me
* he explained things very well--and I typically have lots of questions--particularly in regard to options, but also for long-term viability of choices being compared
* the office staff was very friendly and efficient--felt like a nice extension of Dr. DeGroot's capabilities
* executed the surgery very well...because I had to have both bottom front teeth extracted/replaced, there was a need to do a bone graft to provide a better landing zone for the implant. As is apparently typical for front teeth, there was only room for one implant, so a cantilever was used for the other one. I had sought opinion of another periodontist/implant specialist for this procedure, and they seemed to know what they were doing, but I didn't get the same level of comfort that I did when I spoke with Dr. DeGroot. The first doctor spoke more like a surgeon, but Dr. DeGroot spoke more like a person solving your problems. He explained things very well and he is VERY thorough--my dentist (who is also quite good) indicated so, too. Dr. DeGroot's exam was more thorough than the first periodontist/implant specialist I sought. Not going to mention name of first doctor, because I'm sure the other doctor is fine and not looking to taint anyone here, but I just felt more comfortable with Dr. DeGroot.
* he and his team were incredibly flexible and understanding. When I shared my extreme aversion to needles (and I needed three shots to numb the area for the bone graft and implants), I asked for LOTS of numbing agent before they put the needle injections into my gums - three needle shots were coming!!! - and once the assistant put enough numbing agent, and Dr. DeGroot apparently deftly placed the needle injections, I literally didn't feel ANYthing when he gave me those three injections! Yowza, that was nice! And once the injections were done (with novocaine, I suppose), I didn't feel anything during the surgery for extraction, bone grafting, and implantation. I was quite pleased--except for having lost two of my front teeth, of course. :-)
* wore retainer to cover the two missing teeth for about 4 months, while the bone graft healed...no issues, but as I was counseled by his team, it was best to remove for eating.
* had no issues with after-surgery care, as I simply followed the instructions on the rinse care and what I should/shouldn't eat.
* saw Dr. DeGroot for temporary crown/cantilever, which is apparently standard for front teeth, due to their more aesthetically noticeable location--this procedure went well, too...it was nowhere near as difficult as the main extraction/implantation surgery, as the "worst of it" was done at this point.
* I then saw my general dentist for performing the permanent crown/cantilever.
* it has been 8 months since the implant was done, and no issues. I have had the permanent crown/cantilever for 2 months, and have had no issues. All seems great, with no limitations on my lifestyle! I can floss around the implant, and I even floss around under the cantilever, as there is a natural (very small) space under it--not noticeable to others, but it inherently is not going to go immediately contiguous to the gum line. I will consider a water-pick for flossing, but thus far have had no reason to consider it.
Conclusion:
Overall, a very good experience, considering the not-so-pleasant need for having two front teeth extracted and replaced. I would use Dr. DeGroot again, if I had any further need for periodontal issues, and I would recommend him to anyone who had the misfortune of having to have implants done.