Advanced Dentistry: Solvay Ultaire™ AKP Partial Dentures at Blossom Dental

Before relocating to Florida a few years back, Roberta* dedicated a decade to serving at the Social Security Administration in her hometown of Maine. Her role involved assisting individuals in obtaining disability claims that had been previously denied.

“My job involved guiding individuals through a three-step process to appeal their denied claims,” Roberta explains. “First, there was an initial review, followed by a professional evaluation, and finally, a face-to-face meeting with a judge.”

Despite her passion for her work, Roberta felt the pull to escape Maine's harsh winters. After retiring, she made the move to Florida, where she enjoys the sunny climate, albeit with occasional reservations when the temperatures soar above 100 degrees.

Even in the heat, Roberta remains active. She jogs over six miles every other day and is a regular participant in pickleball games within her gated community. However, a recent trip to the Keys led to an unexpected dental emergency.

“During a visit to a lion safari with my daughter and son-in-law, we grabbed some sandwiches with hard bread for lunch,” Roberta recalls. “While biting into one, my front tooth broke in half.”

Upon returning home, Roberta sought advice from a neighbor who recommended visiting Huda Aljonaidy, DDS, at Blossom Dental and Facial Aesthetics in Ormond Beach. During her consultation, Roberta not only addressed her broken front tooth but also expressed concerns about several deteriorating upper teeth and an ill-fitting partial on her lower jaw.

“I had multiple upper teeth in poor condition, and my old partial on the bottom was worn out and uncomfortable,” Roberta explains. “Although I had postponed replacing the partial, Dr. Aljonaidy proposed a solution to enhance my bite by replacing the problematic upper teeth with a denture and crafting a new, improved partial for the bottom. I agreed without hesitation.”

Rapid Advancement

“Dental technology has undergone remarkable advancements since Roberta first received her original partial, and our practice has diligently kept pace with these innovations,” Dr. Aljonaidy elaborates. “As a result, we can now offer patients superior solutions using materials that are not only more comfortable but also more aesthetically pleasing. This was precisely the approach we took with Roberta.”

The era of high-tech enhancements began in 1985 with the introduction of computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) to dentistry. This revolutionary CAD/CAM technology transformed the industry by employing an optical camera to capture virtual impressions of patients’ teeth. These images serve as the basis for designing and fabricating dental restorations such as crowns, dentures, and partials.

“For nearly a century, there were minimal advancements in the production of partials,” Dr. Aljonaidy explains. “Then came the advent of CAD/CAM technology, which propelled the process forward rapidly.

“At this juncture, our focus shifted towards identifying a material that could seamlessly integrate with the technology, enabling the creation of partials capable of withstanding the demands of oral heat and mechanics, while also prioritizing aesthetics.”

“My new partial feels like a part of me. It doesn’t hurt, it doesn’t move and it acts like real teeth.” – Roberta

“In the past, our reliance on partials with metal frames posed a challenge: while sturdy and durable, they lacked aesthetic appeal. Their silver tone clashed with the natural colors of the mouth, requiring extra effort from dentists to conceal the metal and achieve a more pleasing appearance,” Dr. Aljonaidy explains. “Then came a breakthrough: a natural-looking material emerged, but its lack of strength limited its use to temporary restorations. Subsequently, a hybrid approach emerged, combining this material with metal frames to balance aesthetics and durability. However, integrating these two materials was labor-intensive for dentists.”

“With the advent of CAD/CAM technology, I saw an opportunity to revolutionize partials production,” Dr. Aljonaidy continues. “This vision became a reality when Solvay Dental 360 introduced Ultaire™ AKP, a high-performance polymer with tooth-colored properties, bone-like flexibility, and exceptional resilience. Being 60 percent lighter than metal, Ultaire AKP offers enhanced comfort and biocompatibility, setting a new standard in partials fabrication.”

“I was initially drawn to Solvay partials for their aesthetic appeal and natural feel, coupled with their robustness comparable to metal counterparts,” Dr. Aljonaidy adds. “Upon discovering that four out of five patients preferred them over metal partials, I pursued certification as a provider of Solvay Ultaire AKP partials.”

“However, it’s important to note that not all dentists can offer Solvay partials; certification by the company is a prerequisite,” Dr. Aljonaidy emphasizes. “To obtain certification, I submitted designs created using my CAD/CAM technology, which underwent rigorous auditing and approval by Solvay. At present, Blossom Dental and Facial Aesthetics stands among the few practices in the area certified by Solvay.”

“Unbelievably Comfortable”

Dr. Aljonaidy used the unique combination of CAD/CAM technology and the Ultaire AKP polymer to create a lower partial for Roberta, who is quite happy with her results. “The new partial is unbelievably comfortable,” she describes. “I can still feel that I have an upper denture, but I can’t feel anything on the bottom of my mouth. My new partial feels like a part of me. It doesn’t hurt, it doesn’t move and it acts like real teeth. And no one can tell it’s fake.” Roberta was impressed by Dr. Aljonaidy from their first meeting. It didn’t take long before Roberta trusted the dentist to restore her smile. “My first reaction to meeting Dr. Aljonaidy was to think, She’s a smart cookie who knows her stuff,” Roberta remembers. “She knew right away what was going on in my mouth and what I needed. I really like Dr. Aljonaidy. She’s very friendly and gentle. I was never in pain throughout my treatment, and she was very reassuring. “Everyone at Blossom Dental and Facial Aesthetics is friendly. If I’m sitting there, someone always comes up to me and asks, How are you doing? It’s a nice place and I like their kindness and attention. I highly recommend them.”

Patient’s name changed at her request.

Also read this article on "I found my Doctor" here.