Dr. Eric Holmgren is originally from the island of Coronado near San Diego, California. He attended college at the University of California at Santa Barbara where he majored in Mechanical Engineering. He then completed graduate education in Mechanical Engineering earning his Master’s Degree at the University of Vermont, specifically studying bio-mechanical engineering. He also had the wonderful fortune of meeting his wife there who is native to Vermont and a past German professor. Prior to staring his dental and medical training he worked as an engineer at Qualcomm, Inc in San Diego.
Dr. Holmgren’s interest in dentistry, medicine, and surgery led him to attend dental school at the University of Pennsylvania earning his Doctorate in Dental Medicine (DMD) and ultimately medical school at the Oregon Health and Science University in Portland earning his Medical Degree (MD). At Oregon Health and Science University he completed a year of general surgery internship and his oral/maxillofacial surgery training.
His research interests have led him to publish articles in several Journals including Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Journal of Trauma, and Journal of Oral Implantology. He also has published chapters on use of Botox and Management of Nasal fractures in the book Clinical Review of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: A Case-Based Approach. He has lectured nationally and internationally on various oral and maxillofacial surgery topics in the trauma, dental implant, and oral pathology fields as well.
The surgical training and background that Dr. Holmgren has provides him with a solid foundation in all facets of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Beyond his dedication to dental extractions, in-office anesthesia, dental implant placement, and bone grafting for jaw reconstruction, Dr. Holmgren has specific training in performing, orthognathic jaw surgery, facial trauma surgery, and surgical treatment for pathology/diseases of the head and neck. He also has a special interest in surgical management of facial skin lesions.
He was elected as a fellow in the American College of Surgeon (FACS) something that has only been obtained by fewer then 200 oral and maxillofacial surgeons in the United States with both medical and dental degrees. In 2009, He was also given the “ten under ten award” for Massachusetts for service and contributions to dentistry in the state.
Dr. Holmgren is a member of the ITI, International Team of Implantology, where he lead the Pittsfield implantology study club for 5 years. He has been active in the local community by being past President of the Berkshire Dental Society.
Since 2014 he continue to serve as an adjunct-attending surgeon for the UCSF-Fresno department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Community Regional Medical Center. Typically once a year, when the department needs faculty coverage he travels to California to operate, teach residents, and help manage craniomaxillofacial trauma at one of the busiest trauma centers in California.
As of 2017, he was hired by Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and the Giesel School of Medicine to be an assistant Clinical Professor of Surgery as part of the Otolaryngology and Maxillofacial Surgery Department. At Dartmouth, he manages most of the maxillofacial trauma for the Hospital’s Otolaryngology (ENT) department and teaches surgery residents and medical students the nuances of oral and maxillofacial surgery. He lectures on a regular basis to residents, students, and faculty at Dartmouth as part of his part time position. He also is actively performing research with the Dartmouth College of Engineering and has several projects in collaboration. He has full privileges at Berkshire Medical Center and Southern Vermont Medical Center.
As a side hobby, Dr. Holmgren has a particular interest in Sports Medicine. He is the Williams College Men’s Lacrosse Sports Physician and the assistant Sports Physician for Men’s Football and Hockey providing sideline physician care and supervision. He provides oral and facial trauma care for all student athletes at Williams college assisting athletic trainers with any help they need both on the sidelines and in the training room.
He is a certified Ringside Physician for the State Athletic Commission of Massachusetts providing ringside medical and surgical care for both amateur and professional MMA and boxing events. He had the privilege of being a ringside physician assisting injured fighters on ESPN for a boxing fight night venue in Boston and on Fox / Pay-Per-View for a UFC bout at the Boston TD Garden.
Dr. Holmgren and his wife have three daughters and they thoroughly enjoy raising their family in the Berkshires. His Family spends considerable time in Austria where his children attend school part time. Although he struggles and is often corrected by his daughters, German is spoken fluently in the Holmgren household.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are changing the way people live. They are designed to provide a foundation for replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. The person who has lost teeth regains the ability to eat virtually anything, knowing that teeth appear natural and that facial contours will be preserved. Patients with dental implants can smile with confidence.
What Are Dental Implants?
The implants themselves are tiny titanium posts that are surgically placed into the jawbone where teeth are missing. These metal anchors act as tooth root substitutes. The bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. Small posts that protrude through the gums are then attached to the implant. These posts provide stable anchors for artificial replacement teeth.
Implants also help preserve facial structure, preventing bone deterioration that occurs when teeth are missing.
The Surgical Procedure
For most patients, the placement of dental implants involves two surgical procedures. First, implants are placed within your jawbone. For the first three to six months following surgery, the implants are beneath the surface of the gums gradually bonding with the jawbone. You should be able to wear temporary dentures and eat a soft diet during this time. At the same time, your dentist is forming new replacement teeth.
After the implant has bonded to the jawbone, the second phase begins. Drs. Rothschild, Holmgren, Bevin or Smagalski will uncover the implants and attach small posts that protrude through the gums and will act as anchors for the artificial teeth. When the artificial teeth are placed, these posts will not be seen. The entire procedure usually takes six to eight months. Most patients experience minimal disruption in their daily life.
Surgical Advances
Using the most recent advances in dental implant technology, Drs. Rothschild, Holmgren, Bevin or Smagalski are able to place single stage implants. These implants do not require a second procedure to uncover them, but do require a minimum of six weeks of healing time before artificial teeth are placed. There are even situations where the implants can be placed at the same time as a tooth extraction – further minimizing the number of surgical procedures.
Dental Implant placement is a team effort between an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and a restorative dentist. While Drs. Rothschild, Holmgren, Bevin or Smagalski performs the actual implant surgery, initial tooth extractions, and bone grafting if necessary, the restorative dentist (your dentist) fits and makes the permanent prosthesis. Your dentist will also make any temporary prosthesis needed during the implant process.
Why Dental Implants?
Once you learn about dental implants, you finally realize there is a way to improve your life. When you lose several teeth – whether it’s a new situation or something you have lived with for years – chances are you have never become fully accustomed to losing such a vital part of yourself.
Dental implants can be your doorway to renewed self-confidence and peace of mind.
A Swedish scientist and orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Per-Ingvar Branemark, developed this concept for oral rehabilitation more than 35 years ago. With his pioneering research, Dr. Branemark opened the door to a lifetime of renewed comfort and self-confidence for millions of individuals facing the frustration and embarrassment of tooth loss.
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