Bone Preservation

Advanced Tooth Removal Techniques

Tooth extraction has been around as long as man has been around and many people today still extract teeth the same way it was done hundreds of years ago. Dr. Scharf uses several gentle and highly effective techniques to remove teeth.

The first is called the Ögram method of tooth extraction. This method uses sound biomechanical principles to remove teeth without all the pressure and tugging of older methods.

The Ögram System began with a "clean sheet of paper" to determine how the modern sciences would script exodontia protocol with today’s scientific information. An extensive team of professionals from many scientific disciplines in the U.S. and Europe collaborated during the six years of development with Gunnar Philipp as team leader and lead surgical designer. Our team consisted of specialists in biology, histology, stomatology, dental anatomy, radiography, bioengineering, physics, geometry, mathematics and dentists from various specialties. This was the first scientific exodontia effort of its’ kind in the history of dentistry.

A histological assessment of soft and hard tissues surrounding teeth was investigated initially to determine which tissues should be preserved to avoid permanent defects. Periosteum and cortical bone were deemed to be the key tissues for preservation and avoiding bone fracture. The motion equations were scripted for technique and finally the instrumentation was chosen for optimal technique delivery.

The goal was to engineer and design an easy atraumatic system for simple and complex tooth removal that protects the cortical shell, alveolus, periosteum, and surrounding tissues. Also, to accomplish the atraumatic removal in less than 10 minutes of technique time with high predictability. Mucoperiosteal flaps at the gingival papilla, which causes bone loss, and bone removal was not an option. This was accomplished and more. Dental schools in Berlin, Cologne, and Heidelberg completed independent Ögram System studies and Ögram was clinically proven to have exceeded these goals and was shown to be easy to implement in the dental practice. Over 85% of non-impacted teeth extracted were trauma free to surrounding tissues using the Ögram protocols compared to less than 9% using conventional tooth removal protocols.

In 2008 Dr. Scharf was asked to lecture on the Ögram System to the American Academy of Periodontology.

In addition to the Ögram method, Dr. Scharf also uses both the Sapian and Benex root extractors. These systems act like "cork screws" for removing roots from below the gum line. Without these instruments such extractions would mean lifting up the gum and removing bone. In 2007 Dr. Scharf lectured at the Academy of Osseointegration meeting in San Antonio Texas on this technique.