Using the latest advancements in dental implants, Dr. Sanjay Karunagaran, of Frontier Dental, is helping patients smile again with confidence

By Laura Briedis

If you are missing a tooth, you are not alone. Over half the U.S. population is missing at least one tooth, according to the American College of Prosthodontists. And as we age, an alarming 20 percent of adults 65 years or older are missing all their natural teeth.

Uniquely qualified to restore and replace teeth, Dr. Sanjay Karunagaran, owner of Frontier Dental, is helping patients smile confidently.

One of only a handful of prosthodontists in Northeast Ohio, Dr. Karunagaran, who is affectionately called Dr. K by his patients, is highly trained in dental implants, crowns, bridges, veneers and dentures, so he can replace anything from a single tooth to a full mouth. He has attained fellowship status with the American College of Prosthodontics and added this prestigious designation to his credentials.

“If you had a heart problem, you would go to a cardiologist. So, similarly, if you have missing or damaged teeth, you should go to a specialist,” comments Dr. K. “Considered an advanced general dentist, a prosthodontist has three additional years of advanced training to restore and replace teeth.”

If you have missing teeth or wear dentures that don’t fit comfortably or securely, Frontier Dental specializes in making dentures and offers other options.

“I make sure patients’ dentures fit and function well,” says Dr. K, noting he has patients who travel from New York, Florida and even the Bahamas to his Medina office. “I use better materials, use a custom lab and meticulously fine-tune the impressions as these are the keys to a perfect fit.”

“I also can provide options using implants, such as snap-on dentures that click on four implants, implant-supported bar overdentures and fixed hybrid dentures,” he adds. “Patients should explore how they can secure their dentures to an implant because this is the future of dentistry.”

Using dental implants to support dentures makes it easier to speak and chew without the worry of your dentures coming loose.

A bad fit is not the only indicator that you need new or modified dentures. Other things to look for are:

• Chronic irritation of the gums under the denture
• The need for denture adhesives for everyday activities
• The denture appears discolored, cracked or is unstable
• The denture has been in use for more than five years

“If your dentures are no longer comfortable, I can make you a better fit,” says Dr. K, noting that he can extract a tooth and make a temporary crown in the same day so patients leave the office with a new tooth.

With a friendly, approachable demeanor—and a hint of a British accent—Dr. K puts patients at ease. Prior to opening his own practice this year, Dr. K worked in the Head and Neck Institute of the Cleveland Clinic, where he attended to trauma cases and treated patients injured in accidents, with gunshot wounds and those suffering from cancer.

Now heading up his own practice, Dr. K. is welcoming new patients. In addition to dentures and implants, Frontier Dental offers family dentistry, including dental checkups and teeth cleanings.

Frontier Dental is located at 5155 Buehlers Drive, Suite 107, in Medina. Office hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For an appointment call 330-952-2015 or visit FrontierDental.org for more information.