Teaching at VCU

Dr. Towe always has a wonderful time during her teachings at the Virginia Commonwealth University Department of Periodontics and Implant Dentistry as a clinical assistant professor. Pictured with her longtime mentor Dr. Robert Sabatini. The Department prides itself on its pursuit of excellence in all aspects of academic and clinical implant dentistry and periodontics- from prevention, diagnosis and treatment to the faculty’s wide range of scholarly research.

Zygomatic Dental Implants

If you have been told that you don’t have enough bone for dental implants, zygomatic implants may be a solution for you. Thanks to advancements in the field of zygomatic dental implants, patients who have been told they are not candidates for traditional dental implants, patients who have been told they must settle for dentures, can be treated successfully here at Advanced Implants and Periodontics. What Are Zygomatic Dental Implants? The zygomatic implant is a longer implant specially designed to be anchored in the zygomatic bone (cheek bone) instead of the maxilla (the upper jaw bone where traditional implants are anchored). The zygoma is a very dense bone and can provide excellent support for the lifetime of the patient. Zygomatic implants are used to restore missing teeth for patients with atrophic maxilla (patients with little or no upper jaw bone remaining). Patients with atrophic maxilla typically required complex and lengthy multi-stage bone grafting procedures before they could receive dental implants. The development of zygomatic implants means that bone grafting is no longer necessary. The zygomatic implant procedure is predictable and has a high success rate.

iCam4D

With incorporation of digital dentistry into our office, we are able to acquire accurate data and shorten your treatment time. Conventional implant impressions are multi-steps, have inherent inaccuracies, increase treatment time and involve placing impression material over your teeth. The iCam4D is a hand held “camera unit” consisting of four cameras and one projector. lt combines photogrammetric and structured Light scanning techniques to capture 3D data. It takes digital impressions of your teeth and oral structures and convert that into a digital format on a computer almost instantly. Make the most of your smile. To learn whether you are a good candidate for Same day Smile/Teeth in a Day, visit our website page at All on 4 Implant Therapy – Advanced Implants & Periodontics (www.frederickimplant.com) or give us a call at 240-651-5478 to schedule a consultation.

Zygomatic Implants Training

Incredible week of live surgeries in São Paulo, Brazil for placement of zygomatic implants to restore the atrophic maxilla. Extremely grateful to Dr Salvoni, Dr Rosen, Dr Smiler and the entire surgical team for their excellent mentorship and generosity. Very excited to be part of this group of talented surgeons, and to bring this surgical technique back to our wonderful Frederick community.

November Study Club

Advanced Implants & Periodontics had another wonderful study club meeting last Thursday evening at Holly Hills Country Club. The club was happy to welcome Dr. Dan Moore, who presented on Clinical Protocols for a Successful Outcome. We were pleased with an excellent turnout and want to thank our referring doctors for attending the meeting and their continued support. Special thanks to Dr. Moore for a very informative lecture.

Congrats Dr. Shoff!

Dr. Lisa Shoff and her family had a wonderful time celebrating her promotion ceremony at Andrews Air Force Base over the weekend. Lieutenant Colonel Shoff is currently the chief of dental services for the 113th Medical Group, District of Columbia Air National Guard. Dr. Shoff is currently in her 14th year of military service as she entered the Air Force on Active Duty in June 2008. Congratulations Lt Col (Dr.) Shoff and thank you for your service!

Study Club

Advanced Implants & Periodontics was happy to welcome Dr. John Svirsky as the speaker for our study club meeting last week. Dr. Svirsky presented his lecture on “A Patient Can Have As Many Diseases As They Pleases”. Dr. Svirsky is a dynamic speaker who provided both an informative and relevant lecture. We want to thank our referring doctors for attending the meeting and their continued support. Special thanks to Dr. Svirsky!

Happy Halloween!

Welcome to the Jungle…Lions, Tigers, and more, oh my! Wishing you a very Happy Halloween!!!

“Teeth in a day” therapy to give you a brand new smile in just ONE DAY! Bonnie’s Story

“Teeth in a day” therapy-to give you a brand-new smile in just ONE DAY! Bonnie’s Story www.frederickimplant.com “Teeth in a day” dental implant therapy can provide a stable bite and natural-looking smile for patients who have lost all or most teeth or have a poor periodontal prognosis for remaining teeth. The benefits of “teeth in a day” dental implant therapy is significant; a faster single-visit implant placement process, restored dental function and aesthetics, enhanced self-confidence, improved oral health, bone loss prevention, and realistic long-lasting results. When Bonnie came to see cosmetic periodontist Dr. Melanie Towe, she expressed that her teeth had been going downhill for years. She was embarrassed by her smile and was ready to make a significant change. Dr. Towe and Bonnie connected instantly. Dr. Towe could tell Bonnie was hiding behind her smile and wanted to match her smile to her personality. Bonnie had severe bone loss and poor periodontal prognosis for all remaining teeth. Dr. Towe developed a plan to restore her teeth using digital dental implant planning. The result is virtually planned prior to starting the treatment process. Precise surgical guiding system and premade teeth made this process seamless and efficient. Dr. Towe was able to remove Bonnie’s teeth, place 10 dental implants and put in the new implant bridge in a matter of a few hours. Bonnie has a brand-new smile and could not be happier! Bonnie says “My overall experience with advanced implants could not have been better. It was the most amazing experience with the most amazing team of doctors and assistants”. She is happy to get her confidence back and says the procedure was “life changing”. Make the most of your smile. To learn whether you are a good candidate for this treatment, visit our website page at All on 4 Implant Therapy – Advanced Implants & Periodontics (frederickimplant.com) or give us a call at 240-651-5478 to schedule a consultation.

Happy Boss’s Day

Celebrating Boss’s Day a few days early. Wishing Dr. Towe a very special day! We are so thankful for such a smart, kind, and supportive leader and mentor. Thank you for all you do for our team. We appreciate you not only today, but every day of the year! We had fun making Dr. Towe a candy word board showing her our appreciation. We are also celebrating with a Pot Luck.

Advanced Technology

Advanced Care Through Technology Advanced Implants and Periodontics champions advanced technology and its integration in dental practice. We are able to provide patients just like you with more precise and reliable procedures, shorten treatment and recovery time as well as decrease discomfort after surgery. Intraoral Scanner Our state-of-the-art Medit intraoral scanner creates fast and accurate impressions of a patient’s mouth and teeth in lifelike colors. The scan replaces conventional impression techniques, creating a more comfortable experience for patients. Compared to taking a conventional impression, scanning patients is fast and easy which helps reduce the time a patient needs to spend in a dental chair. Intraoral scans also allow precise digital planning of your case before the procedure. Guided Implant Surgery Using the most advanced digital technology available, Dr. Towe and Dr. Shoff can accurately and efficiently plan and perform guided dental implant surgeries. Using data from your CBCT scan and intraoral scan, a customized surgical template is made specific to your jaw and unique treatment plan. Guided implant surgery can then be performed faster and safer than traditional unguided procedures. Laser Dentistry – LANAP® protocol: Our doctors offer an FDA-cleared laser periodontitis treatment called the LANAP protocol. This is a less painful and more successful treatment alternative to traditional gum disease surgery. Proven Results The LANAP protocol is the only scientifically proven laser treatment that results in true periodontal regeneration, growth of new bone and gum tissue reattachment. The specific laser we use during LANAP treatment can target the bacteria causing gum disease without damaging the surrounding healthy gum tissue. This allows the gums to heal without the need for scalpel or sutures. Dr. Towe and Dr. Shoff have completed the advanced training required to become certified in this technique. Piezosurgery® This device is used for extractions, sinus lifts and ridge augmentation surgeries to preserve soft tissue and bone, reduce postoperative discomfort and expedite healing for patients. Patient Benefits:   Soft tissue is protected in lateral sinus lift surgery; the risk of perforation is reduced by 80% Less swelling after surgery with PIEZOSURGERY® Faster and better osseointegration after implant site preparation with PIEZOSURGERY® Faster and less traumatic post-operative recovery iCam 4D The iCam 4D is revolutionizing the workflow for multi-implant restorations. This exciting new technology has tremendous benefits for the patient including improved comfort due to the quality of the fit of the final restoration. The iCam 4D is a hand held “camera unit” consisting of four cameras and one projector. lt combines photogrammetric and structured Light scanning techniques to capture 3D data. lt uses the ICamBodies, high precision mechanical parts with a unique proprietary target arrangement, to determine the position and orientation of implants. The position and orientation computed for one implant is called an “ICamPosition”. The ICamBodies are replaced by Imetric at regular intervals to assure that they always meet the necessary precision requirements. It is the only technology that guarantees predictable and acute results. Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is a substance taken from your own blood that helps to promote healing. Since PRF is taken from your own blood, it is highly biocompatible and there is an extremely low risk of allergies, reaction, or adverse side effects. When applied to the treatment site, PRF helps to stimulate the healing process and acts as a bioactive band-aid. PRF is composed of various essential healing components, including: White blood cells – help to decrease the risk of infection Platelets – help to attract growth factors and clot the blood Fibrin – helps to clot the blood by binding platelets together Cytokines – proteins with anti-inflammatory properties Stem cells – can help regenerate any type of tissue Dental CT scan (Cone Beam) Computed tomography (CT or CAT scan) takes images of the internal structures of our bodies. We are pleased to be able to offer our patients state-of-the-art 3D dental imaging. Our Green X CT machine incorporates pano, ceph, CBCT and model scan which allows our doctors to capture detailed images to determine and visualize the precise location of your teeth and vital structures, such as nerves, sinuses, and blood vessels. With CT scans we are able to improve diagnostic accuracy, which enhances treatment planning and increases patient safety achieving a full mouth 3D image at a lower radiation dose compared to standard imaging. 3D Printer Harnessing the power of heat and a closed-loop process, the Einstein 3D Printer allows us to fabricate a variety of dental applications, from surgical guides, dental prostheses, and occlusal guards. The secret to the Einstein printer series is in its DNA. Proprietary NanoFit 385 technology ensures that every application features stunning clarity, perfect fit, and an impressively natural-looking finish. Einstein hits on all the key features essential to superior 3D printing: accuracy, speed, and versatility. We can print your same day full arch teeth right here in our office. InstaRisa Our InstaRisa technology uses a combination of a facial and intraoral scanner and allows for digitizing the patient to enhance treatment planning. We are able to three-dimensionally plan after the initial intake data is captured, saving multiple appointments and costly remakes. Patients are able to preview their smile prior to treatment and rest assured that the outcome will be predictable. Our doctors have completed advanced training to become InstaRisa Certified Providers. Advantages of Advanced Technology More accurate diagnoses Minimally invasive procedures Less pain and bleeding More precise, predictable results Quicker treatment times More efficient appointments Better understanding of your treatment