Dear Patient:
We hope this letter finds you and your family in good health. Our community has been through a lot over the last few months, and all of us are looking forward to resuming our normal habits and routines. While many things have changed, one thing has remained the same: our commitment to your safety. Infection control has always been a top priority for our practice and you may have seen this during your visits to our office. Our infection control processes are made so that when you receive care, it’s both safe and comfortable. We want to tell you about the infection control procedures we follow in our practice to keep patients and staff safe.
Our office follows infection control recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We follow the activities of these agencies so that we are up-to-date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued.
You may see some changes when it is time for your next appointment. We made these changes to help protect our patients and staff. For example:
Thank you for being our patient. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbors and friends.
Sincerely,
Maine Center for Dental Medicine
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Our office follows infection control recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We follow the activities of these agencies so that we are up-to-date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued.
You may see some changes when it is time for your next appointment. We made these changes to help protect our patients and staff. For example:
- Our office will communicate with you beforehand to ask some screening questions. You’ll be asked those same questions again when you are in the office.
- We have hand sanitizer that we will ask you to use when you enter the office. You will also find some in the reception area and other places in the office for you to use as needed.
- You may see that our waiting room will no longer offer magazines, children’s toys and so forth, since those items are difficult to clean and disinfect.
- Appointments will be managed to allow for social distancing between patients. That might mean that you’re offered fewer options for scheduling your appointment.
- We will do our best to allow greater time between patients to reduce waiting times for you, as well as to reduce the number of patients in the reception area at any one time.
Thank you for being our patient. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbors and friends.
Sincerely,
Maine Center for Dental Medicine
59 Pleasant Street Skowhegan, Maine, ME 04976 Directions
01
Mar
A Look into the Future Growth Potential of Zirconia Implants and Why They are Taking the Market by Storm
For years, titanium dental implants have been popular among dental professionals. While titanium has many benefits, zirconia implants are becoming the standard for dentists who practice biologic dentistry. Dr. Mohammed Imam and the team at Maine Center for Dental Medicine in Skowhegan, Maine, offer zirconia implants for patients looking to replace missing teeth with a fully biocompatible option.
While titanium implants have remained popular (and still are), market research indicates that the use of zirconia dental implants will continue to grow over the next several years to provide an attractive and functional alternative to replacing teeth.
This same market research indicates that, while titanium is still dominating the implant market, zirconia (metal-free) will see an explosion in growth. This growth rate is expected to outpace titanium implants by as much as 8 percent per year. Zirconia will begin to own a larger market share, and here are some reasons.
Small Market Share
As was noted above, the majority of dental implants being performed by the dental community are done so using titanium implants. With a smaller market, it is easier for non-metallic zirconia implants to take a higher percentage of the growth moving forward. The growth should even out a bit as zirconia becomes more popular and widely used. The future is bright for zirconia dental implants.
New Technology Is Exciting
Dental implants have been a widely used tooth replacement treatment for about 50 years. Many patients seeking tooth replacement options know their availability and benefits. While dental implants are an awe-inspiring technology, they have become a bit “old hat” and familiar to patients. This is where zirconia dental implants enter and renew the excitement which surrounds dental implants. Because zirconia is lesser known than titanium implants, more people will be excited and attracted to the allure of a new dental technology that can be viewed as “cutting edge” or “cool.” Additionally, because they are ceramic and contain zero metal, they will excite people. They are also as strong as titanium without metal, and you have effectively created a stir around the treatment.
Zirconia is More Attractive
Many who receive dental implants have no issues with how they appear to others. A dental implant is, in many cases, a beautiful and esthetically pleasing solution for tooth replacement. However, there are some cases where a dental patient may have thin or translucent gums. For these patients, the grey of the titanium can be more apparent and provide a less attractive option.
Zirconia is an excellent option for patients with thin or translucent gums. Zirconia’s appearance is a much more natural color closely matched to how a tooth looks. Even if you have thin, receding, or translucent gums, you can still have a result that is attractive and (more) natural in appearance.
Comparably Functional
When you look at the current and future growth of zirconia dental implants, you realize that part of this lies in how they provide the same remarkable results as a titanium implant. If they did not promise the same results, you would not expect to see the growth potential. The good news is that they are very comparable to titanium implants. First, the success rate of zirconia implants is as high, or possibly higher, than a titanium implant. Zirconia implants provide the same durability and strength as titanium while boasting comparable long-term survival rates.
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Metal Free
When looking at zirconia and titanium dental implants, the single most significant difference is metal. Titanium is metal, and zirconia is metal-free. The draw of a metal-free dental implant option that promises the same benefits as titanium is a considerable advantage to health-conscious people who wish to keep metal out of their bodies. In addition to those who choose to remain metal-free, a smaller group of individuals suffer from metal allergies, which could lead to a titanium implant failing and being rejected. Because zirconia is metal-free, it is an incredibly effective option for those with metal allergies.
Zirconia Implants – Are They a Good Solution for You?
While zirconia implants are not as widely offered as titanium, more dental practices adopt them daily. This is especially true among those who consider themselves to be biologic dentists. Dr. Mohammed Imam and the Maine Center for Dental Medicine team are one such dental group in Maine. They can help you decide if zirconia dental implants are a suitable solution for you. To schedule an appointment, please call (207) 808-7355.
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LinkedinA graduate from New York University College of Dentistry, Dr. Mohammed Imam began his practice in Nigeria and moved to the United Kingdom to continue his training in Oral & Maxillofacial Residency.
With over 30 years of expertise Dr. Imam regularly updates himself on modern techniques and methods whilst continuing to invest and perform procedures using the best technology and equipment to ensure his patients receive the best and most bio-compatible oral care possible.
Dr. Imam’s areas of specialty include implant dentistry, TMD and Orofacial pain. He is also SMART certified and a member of the Academy of General Dentistry.
An alumnus of New York University, Dr. Shafiulla Khan brings with him a wealth of knowledge and expertise gained over his 35 plus years of practicing dentistry. He is well known for his passion to improve his patients’ lives with his service. While being a SMART certified professional, Dr. Khan’s areas of specialty includes Tempro-mandibular Disorders, TMJ therapy and smile make overs. He remains a prestigious member of the International Association of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) amongst many others.
MCDM is continuing to protect our patients and staff from Covid-19. We ask that you postpone your appointment for 10-14 days if you or your household member are in the following categories:
Due to Governor Mills' change in the travel policy, patients who have traveled to NH, MA, CT, RI or VT do not need to quarantine. Therefore, patients that have traveled to or from these states do not need to delay their appointment with us. If you have traveled to or from any other state (or country) not listed above, the quarantine restrictions still apply.
As of 3/16/21, our front door will be unlocked. If you are a patient that has an appointment, you may enter 5 minutes prior to your appointment and undergo a covid screening upon entry. Others that do not have an appointment must call before entry. Anyone entering the building must wear a mask or scarf covering their mouth and nose.
Thank You,
- If you or your household member have been advised to quarantine due to Covid-19.
- If you or your household member have been in contact with someone who is being tested and do not yet have their results back, or if the results are back and they tested positive.
- If you or your household member are being tested for Covid-19, or have been tested and have a positive result.
- As always, if you do not know if you have been exposed and are not feeling well, please call us to reschedule.
Due to Governor Mills' change in the travel policy, patients who have traveled to NH, MA, CT, RI or VT do not need to quarantine. Therefore, patients that have traveled to or from these states do not need to delay their appointment with us. If you have traveled to or from any other state (or country) not listed above, the quarantine restrictions still apply.
As of 3/16/21, our front door will be unlocked. If you are a patient that has an appointment, you may enter 5 minutes prior to your appointment and undergo a covid screening upon entry. Others that do not have an appointment must call before entry. Anyone entering the building must wear a mask or scarf covering their mouth and nose.
Thank You,