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Can a clear retainer worn at night, that does not have a tooth in it, help keep one's teeth from shifting while waiting for an implant? Or, must it have a tooth in it at the extraction site? I had a molar out 6 months ago and an implant may not go in for another 6-8 weeks. I see some slight shifting and I'm getting concerned. My dentist said he's making up a clear retainer but he's not having a tooth put in it. He said I'd hate a flipper - but now I'm wondering if it will really prevent shifting without a tooth in it. Thanks
Dear Peggy:
The information that you have provided is somewhat limited. However, generally, a retainer can hold the space if it designed to do so. As long as your dentist has the retainer designed properly, you should have no problems. The best you can do is go and discuss this with your dentist. Express the same concerns to him/her. If you have any doubts, go for a second opinion from the specialist in restorative, cosmetic, and implant dentistry: the Prosthodontist.
www.prosthodontics.org will have a link to locating a Prosthodontist near you.
By the way, I perform several hundreds of implants a year and a personally prefer a small flipper to a retainer, but as I said, if the retainer is designed properly, then it is usually not a problem.
Best of luck and have a great Thanksgiving,
Dr. Zev Kaufman
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Zev Kaufman, D.D.S.
Expertise
I can answer any question from simple routine dentistry to very complex dentistry with emphasis on reconstructive, cosmetic, and implant dentistry. My expertise is in co-ordination of very complex treatment plans with other dental specialists or as a one-man-team, since I have extensive training in Prosthodontics, Surgical Implantology, and orthodontics.
Experience
Over a decade in private practice of Surgical Implantology and Prosthodontics. Founder and owner of Prosthodontics & Implant Surgery of Manhattan, PC.
Clinical Assistant Professor at the Post-Graduate Department of Periodontics & Implant Dentistry at New York University College of Dentistry.
Lecture weekly since 1999 on advanced Implant Prosthodontics at New York University College of Dentistry Post-Graduate Program in Periodontics & Implant Dentistry.
Former clinical assistant professor of Dental Radiology at the NYU College of Dentistry.
Former clinical and lecture faculty at Lincoln Hospital, Dental residency program.
Former clinical and lecture faculty at St. Barnabas Hospital (Bronx, NY) dental residency program.
Lecture nationally on Prosthodontics and Implant Dentistry.
Organizations
Memeber of the American College of Prosthodontics.
Memeber of the Acacdemy of Osseointegration.
Member or the Omikron Kappa Upsilon (OKU) Honors Dental Society.
Member of the American Dental Education Association.
Education/Credentials
Graduated with Honors from New York University College of Dentistry.
Post-Graduate training and certificate in the specialty of Prosthodontics.
Post-Graduate training and ceritificate in Surgical and Prosthetic Implant Dentistry.
Honors-program in Comprehensive and Applied Practice Management.
Honors-program in Orthodontics.
Awards and Honors
NYU Cervice award to the community.
OKU honor society.
National Dean's List.
National Who's Who.
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