Shatkin F.I.R.S.T. a One-Stop Shop for Mini Implants
Todd E. Shatkin, DDS, owner of Shatkin F.I.R.S.T.® and President of the International Academy of Mini Dental Implants, says his company is taking implant dentistry to a whole new level by offering support and expertise to dentists worldwide: "The main reason I think that all dentists should offer their patients the option of mini implants is to provide a simple, minimally invasive, less costly method to stabilize dentures and replace missing teeth." Until the advent of the mini dental implant, conventional implants were cost-prohibitive and overly time-consuming for many patients, says Shatkin. In addition, many patients did not have adequate bone to accommodate these large size implants requiring additional surgical procedures such as bone grafts and sinus lifts.
Mini dental implants make it possible to offer patients an alternative option. Shatkin believes they are likely to become increasingly popular with both dentists and patients. Dentures can be stabilized in less than an hour and teeth can be replaced in one or two short visits with Shatkin's patented F.I.R.S.T.® TECHNIQUE (Fabricated Implant Restoration & Surgical Technique).
Describing how he came to develop the F.I.R.S.T. ® TECHNIQUE, Shatkin recalls his experience dating back to 1999, when mini implants first became available. "I was among the first dentists in the country to place mini dental implants over 10 years ago and have done more than 11,000 mini implants since then with better than a 95% success rate. After having great success with lower denture cases, I began using them for upper dentures removing the palate and for single and multiple teeth replacements." Dr. Shatkin then decided to create a plan to share his expertise. He and his late father Samuel Shatkin, DDS, MD, a plastic and maxillofacial surgeon, developed what he calls "a mini implant consulting laboratory (Shatkin F.I.R.S.T.®) that plans cases and makes surgical stents, crowns and bridges, as well as dentures for mini implants." Shatkin F.I.R.S.T.® now offers these distinctive laboratory procedures along with supplying the products and distributing the Intra-Lock MDL and MILO Mini Implant System to thousands of dentists around the world.
In this hands-on operation, the dentist sends a polyvinyl impression, an X-ray and a bite registration to Shatkin F.I.R.S.T.® Shatkin personally reviews each case to determine the appropriate size and placement positions for the mini dental implants. His technicians then fabricate surgical guide stents and restorations based on his case review. According to Shatkin, "The biggest problem for dentists placing mini implants is poor planning."
Shatkin describes his company as "a one-stop implant shop" for the dentist placing mini dental implants. He adds, "We provide the highest quality products and exceptional services, offering phone assistance whenever a dentist needs help."
"We continue to be on the cutting edge, offering the latest products and techniques available in implant dentistry, and educating as many dentists on those procedures as possible," says Shatkin, adding that he and his company offer courses throughout the year in various cities across the country and abroad on the use of mini implants.
Shatkin stands by his services, claiming, "We guarantee that the case will work or we will remake the case at no charge. We have had to remake less than 3% of cases."
Shatkin has trained over 8,000 dentists worldwide. Shatkin states, "Mini implants will change the way all dentists practice dentistry; it will increase their income dramatically and help their patients with an affordable, comfortable, minimally invasive procedure to stabilize loose dentures or replace missing teeth."
Shatkin F.I.R.S.T.® offers one- and two-day training programs as well as mini residency courses. To sign up for a training program, or for more information, dentists can call the company or visit the website, www.ShatkinFIRST.com. Dentists anywhere can learn Shatkin's rewarding techniques to grow their business and enhance the quality of their patients' lives.
Shatkin F.I.R.S.T., LLC
2500 Kensington Ave
Amherst, NY 14226
1-888-4-SHATKIN
www.shatkinfirst.com
