Baylor College of Dentistry
TAMBCD seeks patients for
novel implant study
By LaDawn Brock
Researchers at Texas A&M University
Baylor College of Dentistry are conducting
a study to gather data for the U.S. Food
and Drug Administration on a new tooth
replacement system.
The Replicate Tooth Replacement System
is a new approach to single-tooth replacement and is said to offer patients an immediate, minimally invasive alternative to
traditional dental implants and three-unit
bridges, according to the company.
The Replicate system is an anatomical
copy of the patient’s natural tooth that fits
into the space occupied by the tooth being
extracted. It allows general dentists and
specialists to insert the implant into the
extraction site and attach it to the adjacent
teeth with a tooth-colored splint, so the
patient never goes without a tooth.
“It will change how implants are done,
mostly by shortening the treatment
period,” said Dr. Elias Kontogiorgios,
director of implant dentistry in restorative
sciences, and the principal investigator on
the study. “If patients qualify for the
Replicate implant, they will receive the
implant the same day the tooth is
removed. Current techniques generally
call for a three-month healing period after
extraction before the implant is placed.
Dentists will have more options to give to
their patients who still have a tooth in
the socket.”
The system is currently available in
Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands,
and will be launched in the U.S. after it
receives clearance from the FDA.
Dr. Elias Kontogiorgios’ co-investigators
are Dr. Likith V. Reddy, associate professor and director of residency training
in oral and maxillofacial surgery, and
Dr. Lynne Opperman, Regents Professor
in biomedical sciences and director of
technology development.
The research team is currently looking for
patients to participate in this study.
Patients selected to participate will receive
a complete tooth replacement – implant,
abutment and final crown – for approximately $1,200. Patients who return for
their two follow-up appointments at the
conclusion of the treatment period will be
paid $250 for each appointment for a total
of $500 at the end of their participation.
All doctors who submit a patient that is
accepted into the study are eligible to
attend a free continuing education course
on the Replicate system once it has
received FDA clearance.
Additional information about the system
is available at www.replicatetooth.com.
Doctors wanting to refer patients for
the study may contact Cathy A. White,
research assistant and study administrator, via email at [email protected]
or by phone at (214) 828-8986.
Founded in 1905, Texas A&M University Baylor
College of Dentistry in Dallas is a college of the
Texas A&M Health Science Center. TAMBCD is a
nationally recognized center for oral health sciences
education, research, specialized patient care and
continuing dental education.
www.northtexasdentistry.com
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NORTH TEXAS DENTISTRY
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