Dental Implants
Dental implants 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 and can smile with confidence, knowing that teeth appear natural and that facial contours will be preserved. The implants are tiny titanium posts which are placed into the jawbone where teeth are missing. The bone bonds with the titanium, creating a strong foundation for artificial teeth. In addition, dental implants can help preserve facial structure, preventing the bone deterioration which occurs when teeth are missing.
Dental implants are changing the way people live! With them, people are rediscovering the comfort and confidence to eat, speak, laugh and enjoy life.
Evaluation for Dental Implants
If, like many others, you feel implant dentistry is the choice for you, we ask that you undergo a dental/radiographic examination and health history. During these consultation visits, your specific needs and considerations will be addressed by either Dr. Eisenband or Dr. Stein, or by an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon referred by our practice. Your questions and concerns are important to us and our team will work with you very closely to help make your procedure a success.
Dental Implant Procedure
Dental implants are metal anchors, which act as tooth root substitutes. They are surgically placed into the jawbone. Small posts are then attached to the implant, which protrude through the gums. These posts provide stable anchors for artificial replacement teeth.
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 restorative dentist designs the final bridgework or denture, which will ultimately improve both function and aesthetics.
All-On-Four Procedure
Get Permanent Teeth In One Day
Are you tired of wearing dentures that don't fit? If so you could be one of thousands of patients who were able to throw away their dentures and get permanent teeth that don't come out. This procedure can now be accomplished in as little as one day!
In the mid to late 1990s, the dental implant procedure, All-on-4, was developed as a way to more efficiently use implants in both jaws. It is especially effective treatment for upper arch restoration because longer, stronger implants can be used in the back part of the jaw.
All four titanium implants are placed so that the bone will grow around and secure them in place. With only four implants, there is much less invasive and lengthy surgery.
In the early 2000s, implant manufacturer Nobel Biocare collaborated with noted European implant dentist Paulo Malo and began to use computer simulation, bio-mechanics, and clinical research to determine the optimal use of implants for restoring a full upper or lower arch of teeth. The result was a procedure that uses the fewest implants possible, avoids bone graft surgery, and provides high-quality restorative results in the shortest time possible.
The All-on-4 Dental Implant Procedure uses four implants, with the back implants angulated to take maximum advantage of existing bone. Special implants also were developed that could support the immediate fitting of replacement teeth. This treatment is attractive to those with dentures or in need of full upper and/or lower restorations. With the All-on-4 Procedure, qualified patients receive just four implants and a full set of new replacement teeth in just one appointment�without bone grafts! The real appeal is how quickly permanent implants can be placed so that patients can leave the same day with fixed, non-removable replacement teeth.
Traditional approaches to restoring a full arch of teeth usually involved bone grafts, six or more implants, and as many as 18 months of treatment. That meant that a patient often would be without any teeth, or with ill-fitting temporary dentures for more than a year.
Once the implants are in place, the Oral Surgeon attaches abutments to which the new replacement teeth can be secured.
The dentist fits the replacement teeth on the abutments and adjusts the bite for comfort and a beautiful smile.
With the All-on-4 Dental Implant Procedure, the patient has one or two visits to the office to allow the Oral Surgeon and Restorative Dentists to gather information for a treatment plan (e.g., CAT Scan, X-rays, impressions, photos). Following this consultation, the patient is scheduled for surgery implantation and the new teeth are fitted and adjusted, all in one appointment (even when extractions are necessary). The patient comes to the office in the morning with unhealthy (or no) teeth, and leaves in the afternoon with a beautiful set of fixed, functional teeth.
The patient will return for occasional check-ups over the next several weeks and months. After almost six months, when the gums have fully healed and the implants are fused to the natural bone, we will take new impressions of the patient's mouth and prepare a final, stronger, permanent set of teeth adjusted to a perfect fit--at no additional cost. This helps ensure that the teeth will last for decades, and provide maximum support, beauty, and function to the patient.