Dr. Nelly Silva, a Fellow of the American Dental Implant Association since 2012, plans every implant with 3D CT imaging in our Collegeville office, a short drive from Skippack.
Two implant cases restored by Dr. Silva: a full arch replaced with All-on-X, and a worn, broken-down smile rebuilt on implants.
BeforeAfterAn implant replaces the root as well as the tooth. A small post is placed in the jawbone, the bone bonds to it over the following months, and a custom tooth is fixed on top.
Because the post sits in the bone, chewing pressure keeps working the jaw where the tooth used to be. That is the difference between an implant and options that only rest on the gums or lean on neighboring teeth.
Healthy gums and enough jawbone make a good starting point. When either is missing, we treat it first in the same office.
A single implant and crown fill the gap without reshaping the teeth on either side.
Two or more implants can anchor a bridge across a longer gap.
All-on-X places a full arch of fixed teeth on a small number of implants.
We remove broken, failing and impacted teeth in our office and plan the replacement from the start.
Bone grafting with autogenous, allogenic or xenogenic grafts rebuilds the site so an implant has support.
Gum therapy and laser periodontal treatment get the gums healthy before an implant goes in.
All three replace missing teeth. They differ in what holds them and what happens to the teeth and bone around them.
Planning, extractions, grafting, placement and the final tooth are all handled through our Collegeville office.
Our Vatech CT scanner shows bone height, width and nearby nerves. An iTero Element scan records your bite digitally rather than with putty.
If a tooth must come out or the bone is thin, we extract and graft first, then give the site time to heal.
The Wand numbs the area slowly and steadily. Conscious sedation is available if you feel anxious about dental work.
Once the bone has bonded to the implant, usually over a few months, your custom crown, bridge or arch is attached.
"I went for a second opinion on implants, she studied the X-rays and was able to give me her opinion at that appt. She makes you feel comfortable."
Cindy D., Google Review
One dentist follows your implant from the first scan to the final tooth, with periodontal care for the gums that hold it.
Fellow, American Dental Implant Association . DMD, Temple University Kornberg School of Dentistry . Fellow, International College of Dentists
Dr. Silva performs extractions, implant placement and implant reconstruction herself. She is a Clinical Associate Professor in Temple Kornberg's Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Medicine and Surgery. She invites patients to call her Nelly.
Dr. Strassberg is skilled in all aspects of periodontics. Healthy gums and bone hold an implant in place, and he treats the gum disease that can stand in the way.
Cost depends on how many teeth you replace, whether you need an extraction or bone graft, and the restoration on top. After your exam and scan, we go over the cost of each option with you. We do not accept Medicaid.
Yes. Placing an implant is a minor surgical procedure in which a small post is set into the jawbone under local anesthesia. We numb with The Wand, which delivers anesthetic slowly and steadily, and conscious sedation is available for patients with dental anxiety. We go over aftercare with you before you leave.
Sometimes. When the bone around the tooth is healthy and there is no active infection, an implant can be placed at the same visit as the extraction. In other cases the site heals first, often with a bone graft, and the implant goes in later. Your 3D CT scan shows which approach fits your mouth.
With good home care and regular checkups, an implant can serve you for many years. The crown on top takes daily wear and may need replacing over time, while the post stays in the bone. Gum disease around an implant is the main threat, so brushing, flossing and cleanings matter as much as they do for natural teeth.
Start with the benefits you have: we are in-network with all PPO dental insurance plans, and many plans cover part of implant treatment. Payment plans spread the cost over time, and our dental savings plan helps patients without insurance. Treatment can also be phased, replacing the most important teeth first.
Most cases take a few months from placement to the final tooth, because the bone needs time to bond with the implant. An extraction or bone graft beforehand adds healing time. You get your own timeline after your exam and 3D imaging.
Yes. Dr. Silva reviews your X-rays and scans, explains what she sees and gives you her opinion on your options. Many patients come to us after hearing a different plan elsewhere and want to understand their choices.
Skippack patients see us at 399 Arcola Road, Collegeville, PA 19426. One visit shows you what your bone can support and which option fits.
