Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
By Dr. Tamer Eshra
Tony and Markeita Barnette were married 32 years before an illness took both of his legs and then eventually his life. Markeita never left Tony’s side during the three years he bravely fought for his life. Tony never let Markeita’s dream of having a new smile die. After his passing, Markeita discovered Tony had set aside money for Markeita to have the smile she had always wanted. Even during her grief of losing her beloved life mate, Markeita knew that she owed it to Tony to follow through with the complex procedure to show her appreciation of the life they had shared.
Dr. Tamer Eshra says, “This is one of the most emotional cases I have ever done. You should have been in the office on delivery day. It was a day of happy tears, proud tears, and rejoicing tears. All the tears!! Even the administration team felt it. A case that was treated with love, care, and mutual trust. Handing Markeita the mirror is a core memory I will never forget. This lady knew when she smiled now that it was her late husband, Tony, smiling back at her! So moving.”
Terrie Kleinberg from the administrative team recalls, “When Markeita would come in, she would cover her mouth or wear a mask. She was very self-contentious about her teeth. The day her prosthesis came in, she was so full of joy. Marketia hugged everyone in the office. When she walked out the front door, she turned around and gave us the biggest smile. Markeita was grateful to finish her implant journey and knew she would always have the Park Dental Family cheering her on.”
“At our initial consultation, Dr. Eshra explained that I needed some work done on my sinus cavities and teeth. I knew I needed a new mouth, and I knew it wouldn’t be easy. But Dr Eshra saw the things I couldn’t. He saw how my oral health was affecting my body and mind. At times during the process my whole face and neck were black and blue. There was pain, but there was also healing. What this journey taught me was worth every dime, every minute, and every tear. Now, I have the outlook on life Tony wanted me to have. I am never going to be ashamed to smile again.” Markeita Barnette, happy patient.
Dr. Eshra and Markeita would also like to thank Park Dental team members Mariam Leon, Anita Perez and Gigi De La O from the Clinical Team. “ These ladies worked tirelessly with me on the clinical and personal level to make this happen.” Says Dr. Eshra. “They positively impacted Markeita and made her feel like family. They worked with the scheduling team to ensure timeliness with all the lab steps to the point where they were taking the items to the lab and picking them up from the lab themselves to expedite processing time and not wait on shipping and delivery. Markeita even trusted these ladies to help her choose the most aesthetic teeth shape and shade. Our Park Dental team cares about our patients, and it shows in Markeita’s smile!”
Understanding Implant-Supported Prostheses:
Implant-supported prostheses are a modern and effective way to replace missing teeth and restore dental function and aesthetics. Unlike traditional dentures, which sit on the gums, implant-supported prostheses are anchored securely to dental implants surgically placed in the jawbone. This provides a stable and durable foundation for your new teeth, offering a natural look, feel, and function.
The Procedure:
1. Initial Consultation: The journey begins with a comprehensive consultation with your dental provider. During this visit, your dentist will assess your oral health, discuss your treatment goals, and determine if implant-supported prostheses are suitable for you.
2. Treatment Planning: Once it’s established that implant-supported prostheses are the right option for you, a personalized treatment plan will be created. This plan considers the number of implants needed, the type of prosthesis (such as a fixed bridge or overdenture), and any additional procedures required, such as bone grafting.
3. Implant Placement: The next step involves the surgical placement of dental implants into the jawbone. This procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia to ensure your comfort. The implants serve as artificial tooth roots and are strategically positioned to provide optimal support for your prosthetic teeth.
4. Healing Period: After implant placement, a healing period is necessary to allow the implants to fuse with the surrounding bone in an osseointegration process. This typically takes several months, during which temporary prosthetic teeth may be worn to maintain aesthetics and function.
5. Prosthetic Design and Fabrication: Once osseointegration is complete and the implants are securely integrated into the jawbone, impressions of your mouth are taken to create your final prosthetic teeth. These custom-made prostheses are meticulously designed to blend seamlessly with your natural teeth and facial features.
6. Prosthesis Placement: The final step involves attaching your new prosthetic teeth to the dental implants. Your dentist will ensure proper fit, function, and aesthetics and make any necessary adjustments to achieve optimal results.
Implant-supported prostheses offer numerous benefits, including enhanced stability and comfort by eliminating the instability and discomfort of traditional dentures, allowing for confident eating, speaking, and smiling. Additionally, they improve oral health by replacing missing teeth and preserving jawbone structure, preventing further dental issues. These prostheses provide a natural appearance, resembling real teeth in color, shape, and texture, for a beautiful, lifelike smile. Proper care offers long-term durability, potentially lasting a lifetime and providing a lasting solution for missing teeth.
Implant-supported prostheses offer a reliable and transformative solution if you’re ready to reclaim your smile and enhance your confidence. By partnering with skilled dental professionals, like the team at Park Dental, and embracing modern technology, you can enjoy the benefits of a beautiful, functional, and healthy smile for years to come. Say goodbye to missing teeth and hello to a new era of dental wellness with implant-supported prostheses.
Park Family Dental offers a wide range of services, including cosmetic dentistry, teeth replacement, orthodontics, dental implants, dentures, sedation dentistry, emergency dental treatments, pediatric treatments, and dental surgery. Bette Dirksen states that the team at Park Dental is top-notch. “From the check-in at the front office to the hygienists and assistants, I feel at home there. The whole staff cares about each patient, which has changed my outlook on going to the dentist.”
Dr. Tamer Eshra
Dr. Eshra is passionate about creating beautiful, natural-looking smiles for his patients. His approach to cosmetic dentistry combines artistry with a deep understanding of dental function to create long-lasting treatments that are both visually appealing and fully functional.
The foundation of his practice, though, is his relationship with his patients. Recognizing that a dentist’s work is more than just fixing teeth, Dr. Eshra focuses on building trust, understanding each individual’s needs, and working collaboratively to achieve optimal oral health while creating a comfortable patient environment. Outside of the office, you’ll find Dr. Eshra spending time with his family, traveling, or connecting with nature through fishing, one of his favorite pastimes.
Park Family and Cosmetic Dentistry
239-330-4208
690 Goodlette-Frank Rd. N.
