Why Choose Dr. Sutor?

We here at Periodontics & Dental Implant Center are proud to have a wide range of occupations, nationalities, and personalities that describe the patients in our practice. Coaches, teachers, moms, professors, students, retired, celebrities, dads, etc...all choose to have their dental health care needs taken care of by our experienced doctor and team. We thought we'd share some of the reasons they've told us that they've come and stayed!

"Everyone is always extremely warm and welcoming as well as professional at all times. Dr. Sutor is awesome and his staff is the best in the business!" David G.

"I'm very comfortable and always treated with the utmost courtesy and professionalism. I really like the e-mail contact option of communicating. Most assuredly, I would refer anyone to Dr. Sutor's with the highest recommendation." Pasty H.

"I feel like the benefit that was greatest to me was that I have better overall dental health. I can't tell the difference between my implant and my natural tooth. I plan to repeat my procedure again next year for the other side of my mouth."
Simon L.

"The dental implants Dr. Sutor did for me have given me my smile back. I feel more confident and comfortable then I have felt in years!" Linda L.

"The greatest benefit to having these implants is that they feel like normal teeth. I can't say enough good things about it and I will continue to tell others to come here and have this treatment done if needed because it really does change your life for the better." Drew W.

"I feel better about myself. As far as I'm concerned, Dr. Sutor is the best. I wouldn't go to anyone else." Sandy I.


Professionalism, Compassion, Experience, Life Changing Investment...visit us on the web at www.sutordds.com, or call us at 333-4550 to begin your story with us.

Raising the Bar with Technology

Periodontics & Dental Implant Center of Southern Indiana - Dr. Mark Sutor continues to stay at the forefront in dentistry always delivering the highest quality of service and results to our patients. We do that by keeping informed on the most up-to-date advanced techniques and equipment available. A few years ago, we raised the bar once again, with the addition of our cutting edge Pro Max 3D CT scan. It is a type of x-ray which produces high quality 3-D images of a patients upper and lower jaw, bone density, and associated structures and anatomy. This scan enables an implant surgeon to see these images quickly and use the information in preparing an implant treatment plan for a patient.

No longer do patients have to go to a radiology center for CT scan of the jaw, we can do it right here in our office. It delivers 3D images for the most accurate in office measuring capabilities of x-ray to date. This enables Dr. Sutor to precisely measure the height and width of bone prior to surgery. It allows us to locate bone structure and anatomy such as nerves, sinuses, etc... inside jaw bones with greater precision than ever before. Many times patients can have this scan taken right here in our facility on the same day as their initial consultation with results in minutes. One concern we had about referring patients out for scans is that some technicians are not trained specifically for dental scans, so the information may not be quite as accurate as we would like.

This Pro Max 3D CT scan significantly reduces the effective patient radiation dose and has less radiation then that of multiple dental x-rays. This additional imaging can allow us to develop the best implant and maxillofacial solution and treatment plan for you. This type of scan allows Dr. Sutor to evaluate your bone and gum tissue for a more definitive diagnosis and thus a better surgical outcome.

Before undergoing a CT scan, you will be asked to remove items such as eyeglasses, hearing aids, jewelry, hairpins or any other objects around your head and neck that might contain metal. This would include dentures and removable bridges. This is because metal objects can cause streaks to appear on the image and undermine its readability and accuracy. Anyone having any kind of radiographs is carefully shielded with the use of lead aprons covering all non-targeted areas.

Our cost falls right in line with the average for our area. Insurance codes for a CT scan are available. My qualified financial team will be happy to work with you to submit all pertinent information on your behalf in order to do everything we can to get coverage for you.

Many patients wonder if a CT scan is an uncomfortable or painful experience at all like being placed in a tube or a chamber and it is not! Unlike a conventional CT scanner that sometimes requires a patient to lie on their back and be pulled through a “tunnel like” machine, you stand or sit comfortably with the machine surrounding just your head and mouth area in an open air environment.

Use of this dental CT scan is just one more way Dr. Sutor continues to raise the bar in dentistry here in Southern Indiana.

We are always accepting new patients and look forward to helping you improve your life today! 812-333-4550 or check us out on the web through our website www.sutordds.com, or on facebook, twitter and You Tube.

Dental Implants Like Legos?

Recently I read an article in Dear Doctor, a patient education magazine, written by dental professionals.

The article talked about how crowns attached to implants and they used the phrase dental implants - dental legos due to the fact that there are a few different parts and pieces that go into having a dental implant procedure and the fact that implant components are designed to disassemble if necessary for easy maintenance or repair. We have patient's come into our practice all the time that are unsure of just what a dental implant is, or if it is one piece with the crown or how does it all fit together, so we will clarify today!

Think of a dental implant as a replacement tooth root or the foundation. An implant is surgically placed in the bone of the jaw to which the bone will over a very short time period fuse to the surface of and it then becomes essentially a part of the jaw. All of this happens below the gumline. After the implant has healed a sufficient amount of time, an abutment or short post which has a screw going through it is then inserted into the implant itself since it is hollow. The abutment is then tightened down to a certain predefined force so that it should not come loose unless a special tool is used by your surgeon or general dentist to loosen it. Your crown then, the esthetic part of the tooth, that can be seen above the gumline, is cemented or screwed into place depending on what your dentist decides is best for your oral situation.

Dentistry has come so far and the process of having a dental implant placed should be a safe, predictable procedure now a days if done with an experienced dental team including the dental surgeon, general dentist and lab technician. Dr. Sutor has done over 5,000 implants over the course of his career, so rest assured you are in the most experienced hands in Southern Indiana.

Dr. Sutor believes so strongly in the ability for dental implants to improve your life and health that he has generously offered his implant consultations at no charge to you the patient. Just log onto our website at www.sutordds.com and request an appointment or call us at 812-333-4550. We look forward to being a part of improving your life today!

BACK TO SCHOOL!

It's almost that time! Back to school! As you are hurrying to the the doctor, the optometrist, etc...to get those last minute appointments out of the way before another school year, you may also want to check with your dentist to make sure that your child is eating and speaking properly and that they are not bothered by a minor mouth muscle called a frenum. A frenum is the muscle that attaches either to your upper lip and gum between the two front teeth, or the bottom lip and gum between the two bottom front teeth. Sometimes this frenum can be attached to close to the teeth causing either recession of the gums or spaces between teeth. Sometimes this is referred to as being "tongue-tied".

Dr. Sutor performs a simple in office procedure called a frenectomy. A frenectomy is often performed with a laser, where with part or all of the frenum in question is removed in order to return a healthy balance to the mouth. Your child should plan on spending about 30 minutes in our office the day of the procedure. The treatment itself only takes about 10-15 minutes, but we allow plenty of time to get your child comfortable and then review post-operative instructions with you following the procedure. Your child can expect mild soreness in the area later that day, most of the time an over the counter pain reliever such as Tylenol or Motrin works well to handle any discomfort. You will also want to have them rest and avoid sports or other strenuous activities the day/evening of your procedure. They should be able to resume activities the day after the procedure. It is so exciting to immediately see the successful results such as listening to your child's speech improve and watch them lick an ice cream cone.

Call us today for an appointment! We are always accepting new patients!

Top Ten Tips for Denture Care Maintenance

1) Daily removal of bacterial biofilm in the mouth and on complete denture surfaces is critically important to minimizing denture stomatitis and contributing to good oral and general health.

2) In an effort to reduce or minimize denture stomatitis, dentures should not be worn continuously (24 hours per day) – leave them out at night. Removing your dentures at night will slow down the bone loss that occurs from the pressure caused by wearing dentures. Soft tissues should be massaged twice daily with a moistened washcloth to clean the gums and minimize infection.

3) To reduce levels of biofilm and harmful fungi, denture wearers using cleansers should:
• Clean dentures by daily soaking and brushing with an effective, nonabrasive denture cleanser
• Only use denture cleansers outside of the mouth
• Thoroughly rinse dentures after soaking and brushing with denture cleansers prior to placing dentures into the mouth
• Always follow denture cleanser instructions

4) Dentures should be cleaned annually by a dental professional using ultrasonic cleaners to minimize biofilm accumulation over time.

5) Dentures should never be placed in boiling water.

6) Sodium hypochlorite bleach is a superior denture cleanser; however dentures should not be soaked in sodium hypochlorite bleach, or in products containing sodium hypochlorite, for periods that exceed 10 minutes to avoid damage to them.

7) Denture adhesives can improve the retention and stability of dentures and help seal out the accumulation of food particles beneath them.

8) Denture wearers should be checked annually by a dental professional for maintenance of optimum denture fit and function, and for evaluation for oral disease, bone loss, and oral health status.

9) If increasing amounts of adhesives are required to achieve the same level of denture retention, you should see a dental professional to evaluate the fit and stability of the dentures.
(Dental Implant Consultations with Dr. Sutor’s office are ALWAYS complimentary)

10) Dentures should be stored immersed in water after cleaning, when not replaced in the mouth, to avoid warping. The water should be changed daily and the container cleaned.

Complete article can be found in the Dear Doctor Patient Education Magazine. www.deardoctor.com

Tragedy of an Infection

We read a sad article this week. We at Dr. Sutor's office hope by using the lab testing technologies available to us now, specifically the Oral DNA lab testing, www.oraldna.com, we can redirect the way a patient thinks about and deals with their periodontal disease.

STORY: The tragedy at our local elementary school this spring happened to the husband of one of the third grade teachers, who cut his finger at work one day. He washed it and put a small bandage on it. In fact, he washed it every day. It did not seem to be getting much better, but because it did not hurt, he just kept cleaning it until his wife, the teacher, insisted he go and have it checked out. By the time the lab results came back showing him positive for a staph infection, it had spread throughout his entire body, and he ultimately passed away.

If only the wound had been checked out earlier and the lab test done, he could have been treated for the staph infection in a timely manner and his life would have been saved.

The way this man tried to treat his wound is similar to how many patients and, frankly, many dental practices, treat periodontal disease. “Just clean it.” Unfortunately, just trying keeping the “wound” clean won’t take care of the
ultimate problem.

How we think about periodontal disease and how it is treated have changed. It is no longer just a site-specific problem. It is a systemic problem. Grasping the concept and emotionally embracing it is as big of a problem for some practitioners as it is for patients.

Dr. Sutor approaches and treats periodontal disease in his practice using a company called Oral DNA to assist him with the following...

Totally understanding the true nature of periodontal disease and its systemic and total health consequences, having the right diagnostics in place, that will identify the type and severity of the systemic problem, new treatment modules that address the “whole” problem, not just the localized problem, presentation and verbal skills that help patients make the shift and embrace the problem and what it will take on their part to treat it.

(Story from OralDNA Labs)

A More Comfortable Procedure: Conscious Sedation

Conscious Sedation - Halcion (Triazolam)

This type of sedation is an option we offer our patients. Halcion or Triazolam induces an altered state of consciousness to allow your body and mind to relax during a surgical procedure. Patients who receive conscious sedation usually are able to speak and respond to verbal cues throughout the procedure, communicating any discomfort they experience to the provider. A brief period of amnesia may erase any memory of the procedure. Conscious sedation is extremely safe when administered by a qualified provider such as Dr. Sutor.

Because patients can slip into a deep sleep, proper monitoring of conscious sedation is necessary. Dr. Sutor and his qualified assistants monitor patient heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, oxygen level and alertness throughout and after the procedure.

Written postoperative care instructions are given to our patients prior to your surgical appointment so that you may provide this information to your caretaker and/or driver as well. Patients should not drive a vehicle, operate dangerous equipment or make any important decisions for at least 24 hours after receiving conscious sedation. Patient's must have a caretaker be with them from the time they take the medication and throughout the day of the procedure to ensure that they are safe and have the medication and care that they need post-operatively. A follow-up phone call is made by Dr. Sutor the evening of the procedure to check on the patient's condition and answer any remaining questions.

One of the best benefits of conscious sedation is that it allows patients to recover quickly and resume normal daily activities in a shorter period of time than an IV sedation.

Our ultimate responsibility is to your comfort and safety while you are in our care. If instructions are followed properly, conscious sedation can be a great way for you to go through a procedure in our office.