A periodontology graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Mehul Gadhia, DMD, has been named a Top Dentist by Charlotte Magazine annually since 2007. In addition to his work as a periodontist and partner at PerioCare in Charlotte, Mehul Gadhia, DMD, has published papers on a variety of medical topics, including advances in dental implant technology.
The functionality and aesthetic value of dental implants have continued to improve as dental professionals make more and more technological advances. Dental implants have been developed over the course of nearly four decades, and today are typically made of titanium, a biocompatible metal that supports natural bone growth. The versatility and durability of titanium posts have played a critical role in the high success rate of dental implants.
Other technological advances that have yielded benefits for dental implants include improvements to computer tomography and cone beam CT (CBCT) scanning. As these technologies are further optimized, dental professionals are able to effectively place implants with greater precision. In addition to alerting dentists to nerves and sinuses cavities that might be in the way, these scans can help determine whether there is sufficient bone to support a traditional implant.
Finally, surgical guides have been developed as custom devices that can be placed over teeth, marking exactly where implant drilling should occur. These guides, enhanced through recent advances in 3D printing technology, allow for greater accuracy over the course of surgical implant procedures.
Mehul Gadhia 