Message us

Everything I have had done at Premier Smile Center has been top-notch. The treatment I received was thorough, precise and extremely professional. I never felt like just another patient because they took the time to listen to my concerns. They addressed my issues and we agreed on the treatment plan together.

The staff is very friendly, warm and extremely knowledgeable. I felt relaxed and comfortable knowing I chose the right place to get the dental work I needed. Dr. Johnson is very humane and very knowledgeable, and she does amazing work. I like the friendliness and honesty of the whole practice. I was not confident with my smile, in fact I was very self conscious and rarely smiled. Premier Smile Center has changed all that. My smile is one of the things I like the most.

Maria
I was terrified to receive a root canal, but I knew it had to be done. After meeting with Dr. Johnson and Dr. Bui, I felt better about the procedure. They educated me on the process. I was comfortable and had no pain—which was my biggest worry. I love coming to the office. Everyone is super friendly and knowledgeable. The doctors and staff educate you on what they are doing and why it is needed.

The dentist was a place I visited only when I desperately needed to, and now I’m in the office every few months. I don’t live near the office anymore, but as long as they’re there, I will be driving over to Fort Lauderdale. Thanks to Premier Smile Center, I now have healthy, pearly white and almost perfectly straight teeth.

Adriana
When I first came to the practice, my teeth were in terrible condition. From the beginning to the end of my treatment, Dr. Johnson and her entire practice were outstanding, professional and extremely understanding of my needs. Dr. Johnson is honest and very hands-on, and the practice feels like a family and not a factory. Thanks to Dr. Johnson, I now have a great smile.

Arthur
Coming to Premier Smile Center was a life-changing experience for me. Although I was a registered nurse, I had the worst teeth ever—a missing tooth, discolored teeth and a crooked smile. Dr. Johnson explained to me in detail how she could give me a beautiful smile. She and her staff have been truly supportive and non-judgmental about my teeth. Dr. Johnson is compassionate, understanding and a joy to talk to, and the staff are friendly, efficient and caring. They encouraged me to go on when I was feeling down, and now I can smile confidently.

The treatment I received has greatly increased my self-esteem. I can smile and laugh unashamedly and join into a group conversation, and not just be a passive listener. I also have better health and nutrition. It is the best investment I have ever made for myself.

Gloria
Premier Smile Center has always treated me like family, and my experience as a patient of Dr. Johnson’s has been nothing but satisfactory. Dr. Johnson is brilliant, and the practice is clean, friendly and professional. Before I came to the office, the condition of my teeth was depressing. As a result of my treatment, I have more confidence and less anxiety associated with a messed-up mouth.

Clayton
Before coming to Premier Smile Center, I had not been to a dentist in some time. I needed some periodontal work done, fillings and wisdom tooth extractions. What initially struck me was the warm welcome I received from the front office staff, and I had virtually no wait time before I was greeted by Dr. Johnson. She was incredibly professional and explained everything she was doing as she conducted the initial exam. She made her recommendations and scheduled a return visit to repair some fillings and pull two wisdom teeth.

What was truly amazing was that within 24 hours Dr. Johnson herself called to check on me and asked how my experience was. My wisdom tooth extractions went flawlessly, and I experienced very little bleeding and no pain during or after the procedure. Again, Dr. Johnson called me afterward to check how I was doing. I like Dr. Johnson’s warm and sincere concern for her patients, and I also like her professional staff. I am always impressed by the warm, professional nature of everyone in the office.

Daniel
From the moment I arrived at Premier Smile Center over a year ago, Dr. Johnson and her entire staff have been amazing. Needless to say, anytime you have a cosmetic procedure done there will be nerves and lots of questions. Within minutes into my initial consultation, these concerns subsided. Unlike other dental practices I have been to, Dr. Johnson took her time and explained what I should expect from beginning to end with Invisalign. I continue to receive compliments on my smile every day. I love it! I have already and would recommend her again to anyone I know. A huge thank you to Dr. Johnson and the Premier Smile Center staff for making my experience fabulous!

Erica

Bone Grafting Services Fort Lauderdale, FL

If you have missing teeth and are on the path to dental implants, bone grafting may be a necessary part of your preparation. At Premier Smile Center in Fort Lauderdale, this advanced dental procedure is performed by our in-house periodontist Dr. Diane Alvarez, a specialist in the treatment of gum and bone tissue and the placement of dental implants.

What Is Bone Grafting?

When you lose a tooth, whether to periodontal disease, trauma, or extraction, a hole is left in the jawbone where the tooth root was once embedded. If this hole is not filled, the mouth will begin to collapse into the space and there is a chance that the area will not have enough jawbone available to hold a dental implant in place.

The process of bone grafting involves the removal of a piece of bone from another part of your body and transplanting it into the jawbone, though there are other options for bone replacement such as a cadaver or animal source or a ceramic-based graft. Once this process is complete, it will take several months for the area to heal and for the natural bone to grow and absorb the graft material for full integration so the placement of the dental implant can be supported.

It is critical to have a bone graft completed as soon as possible after a tooth is lost to minimize the intensity of this procedure and improve your chances of receiving a successful dental implant in the future. Bone grafting is a surgical procedure that repairs, rebuilds, and recreates the jawbone through the transplantation of bone and supporting tissues.

How The Procedure Is Done

There are different types of bone grafting and what your dentist chooses to use will depend on how much deterioration has occurred in your mouth and the location of the lost tooth.

Sinus lift grafts: A sinus lift is often carried out at the same time as a bone graft. When teeth are missing in the back of the upper jaw and not replaced, the sinuses can expand and end up too close to the area where a dental implant is to be placed. A sinus lift is a surgical procedure that opens more vertical space for an implant to fit.
Socket grafts: This is the ideal bone grafting situation since it is conducted immediately after a tooth is extracted, usually because of severe decay or infection. A socket graft stops bone deterioration from occurring at all when bone material is inserted into the vacant socket.
Block bone grafts: In a block bone graft, a small “block” of human bone is taken from the patient’s chin or lower jaw near the area where the wisdom teeth once resided. This procedure is very similar to a socket graft.

When the hole in your jawbone is filled with bone particles, the area will be covered with a sterile bandage called a membrane. Your dentist will evaluate this area at subsequent dental visits over a period of months until the area is completely healed and ready to start the dental implant procedure.

Do You Need Bone Grafting?

A solid foundation is vital to the success of a dental implant. To compensate for bone loss beneath a missing tooth, it may be necessary to augment the jawbone to provide enough support for the post of an implant.

Bone grafting and dental implants are a sensitive, multi-stage process that demands the practiced hand of a specialist. If you are ready to replace your missing teeth, schedule a consultation with our periodontist Dr. Alvarez at our Fort Lauderdale dental office to find out the next steps for your dental restoration.