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Andrew Bock, DDS, and Zachary Owen, DDS, offer both prosthodontic and oral surgery in one convenient location.

While cosmetic dentistry and implants have grown in popularity over the past two or three decades, improved procedures make the process much more rapid and comfortable than it was even a few years ago. Today’s dentures, supported by dental implants, are less bulky, better fitting and more natural looking than conventional dentures. Dental implants are used to support dentures but can also be used in place of dentures, replacing one tooth or all of them, and functioning as closely to real teeth as possible.

In the hands of a skilled dentist, dental implants can turn a problem smile into a work of art that encompasses necessary good function. That is the commitment of Zachary Owen, DDS, owner of Summit Oral and Implant Surgery. Dr. Owen states, “There’s no doubt that good oral health is critical to achieve optimum overall health and we feel we’re a vital link in reaching that objective.”

Summit Oral and Implant Surgery delivers the highest in quality care and individualized patient treatment. They have the added benefit of having two dental specialists practicing at the same location. Dr. Owen specializes in oral surgery, including extractions/wisdom teeth, bone grafts, and placing dental implants. At his office, he works closely with Andrew Bock, DDS, a prosthodontist who specializes in aesthetics: crowns or veneers, placing crowns on implants, dentures or partials, and reconstructing smiles.

Their combined skills complement one another and allow patients the convenience of a single office to serve their cosmetic and health-related dental needs. They are the only office in the area with this surgeon/prosthodontist combination. Both doctors are happy to work with any patient’s general dentist and they regularly take referrals from restorative dentists and other surgical specialists.

“Our practice is based on three fundamental objectives: health, function and aesthetics,” says Dr. Owen. Those three levels of care are the very heart of the Loveland practice. To achieve these three objectives, Drs. Owen and Bock begin with a thorough examination and consultation with the patient, outlining the treatment plan that will help restore their “best” smile. Included in the initial consultation is measuring the face, taking radiographs (X-rays), and making dental molds.

On the following visits, the three objectives take shape.

Restoring Health

The next step is to restore dental (and overall) health by removing any non-restorable teeth and ensuring the patient is free from infections. To attain good dental health, severely decayed teeth and any periodontal disease must be removed. This generally consists of performing necessary extractions and putting the implants and temporary dentures in on the same day.

“Our patients will always leave with at least temporary teeth. That prevents them from having any embarrassment until the final prosthesis is placed,” adds Dr. Owen. When doing any surgical procedures, patients receive IV anesthesia to put them at complete ease in a restful, attractive office and surroundings.

In the instance of severe bone recession, Dr. Owen can place bone grafts with artificial materials or the patient’s own bone to build up the jaw. “We can usually do all of the surgery during a single visit, so the patient has little time inconvenience,” states Dr. Owen.

Improving Function

The second level of the procedure is designed to give the patient function, getting them to the point where they can comfortably chew and to be sure the occlusion, or bite, is correct. Essentially making certain that “everything works.”

“When a person loses their teeth, their ability to chew food decreases dramatically with conventional dentures. Implants allow us to not only restore a person’s smile, but to provide them with a tooth replacement that is as close as possible to the real thing. People can generally eat with implants just like they do with their own teeth,” says Dr. Bock.

Dr. Owen says this step is particularly important in maintaining the correct “shape” of the face, as often extractions coupled with conventional dentures have a tendency to shorten and distort the lower face and jawbone areas. “Regular dentures cause the jawbone to slowly dissolve over time, but implants preserve the remaining bone. This prevents over-closing of the bite, a protruding chin, and wrinkles around the mouth, which contribute to an aged appearance,” says Dr. Bock.

Creating a Beautiful Smile

The third level is simply aesthetic; making certain that everything looks natural and nice. One of the advantages of implant prosthesis is that they are not nearly as large and bulky as dentures. They are also permanent, well-fitting, more natural in appearance, and help retain the shape of the jawbone. The facial height does not shrink as with dentures and implants give the face balance and symmetry, adds Dr. Owen.

When a patient comes to Summit, part of the comprehensive planning process is correct tooth placement, according to Dr. Bock. Front teeth are positioned for the best look when smiling and to sound correct during speech. Back teeth are placed in the correct position to be able to chew properly and support the bite correctly. Teeth that are in the correct position for the best function are also the most attractive.

Explaining the Process

“Despite TV commercials to the contrary, the procedure is not completed in a single day. First, there’s a consult visit with dental molds, measurements, and X-rays. Next, we can often do the surgery in one day with extractions, bone grafts and implants. Finally, after the implants have healed, the final prosthesis is placed and minor adjustments are made,” says Dr. Owen. He underscores the fact that Summit creates a completely individualized treatment plan with outcomes tailored to the individual. Such attention to detail cannot be accomplished in a single visit.

Dr. Owen is well trained for his specialty; he attended dental school at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, with a one-year internship at the Medical College of Georgia, followed by four years of residency at Denver Health Medical Center. Finally, he returned to Loveland in July 2008.

Dr. Bock, who attended high school in the area with Dr. Owen, graduated from college at the University of Colorado. He attended dental school at the University of Loma Linda Medical Center and completed his specialty in prosthodontics in three years at the University of Texas at San Antonio. He practices part-time at Summit and part-time at a Boulder practice.

After removal of decay and gum disease, dental implants created a new smile.

Gum recontouring, dental implants and crowns restored this patient’s smile.

For more information on services offered at Summit, call (970) 669-4802 or visit their Website at www.SummitOralSurgery.com. +