The Problem with Implant Dentures
The clinical success of traditional dentures is largely dependent upon the amount of bone in the jaw following tooth loss. A dental implant can only be placed where there is bone. In the upper jaw the sinus often precludes the placement of implants. In the lower jaw the mandibular and mental nerves often preclude the placement of dental implants. There are surgical methods of dealing with those situations in certain cases but many patients do not want to have this surgery.
The Solution
The Prosthodontist is able to design a fixed full-arch ceramic bridge for each jaw using a cone beam CT scan and special software. The Prosthodontist will determine the best sites to place the implants angling them to avoid vital structures notably the sinus and mental nerve. Computer assisted design is then utilized to fabricate a precisely fitting surgical guide that is fitted to your jaw during surgery. Special channels are made in the surgical guide to a predetermined depth and angle of cut greatly improving the accuracy of surgery.
Four implants are normally placed in the lower jaw and four to six implants in the upper jaw where the bone is less dense.
Teeth on Day of Surgery
The Prosthodontist is able to fabricate a provisional fixed bridge that will be installed in the patient’s jaw immediately following implant placement enabling the patient to leave the clinic with “teeth” and be able to speak and eat. Once everything has healed a ceramic bridge will be made to replace the provisional bridge; usually in 4 to 6 months’ time. In some cases hopeless teeth can be extracted at the same appointment as implant placement. All-on-Four, All-on-Six and Same-Day-Teeth are terms commonly used to describe the combined surgical and prosthodontics procedure where fixed bridgework or dentures are installed in the patient’s mouth at the same appointment as the dental implant surgery. Patients leave the clinic with teeth.
The best dental implants, like those placed by Dr. Wright, have very high success rates of up to 98% in healthy patients and still exceeding 90% in less healthy patients. The skill of the implant surgeon and restorative dentist, however, is the most critical factor for a successful prognosis.
To increase the prognosis for success and reduce the probability for complication, it is wise to have the same doctor plan, place and restore the dental implant.
The additional time invested in diagnosis and computer planning the surgically-guided implant case is rewarded with greater precision and reduced surgical time and patient discomfort.
The SMARTFIX® System in Redding
The SMARTFIX® System has been available in Europe for 8 years and about 5 years in USA. Computer Guided Surgery is now considered the “gold standard” in implant dentistry. Although much time goes into the planning and design phase, the SMARTFIX® System significantly reduces the time and discomfort associated with dental implant surgery and shortens the healing time. SMARTFIX® uses Ankylos implants, which are designed, engineered and made in Germany.
The SMARTFIX® System differs from most of the other “same-day-teeth” implant systems in that it has been designed for the prosthodontics and surgery to be performed by the prosthodontist. Earlier systems relied on an oral surgeon or periodontist and a prosthodontist. The SMARTFIX® System removes the problems associated with treatment being administered by two different specialists and the respective responsibilities.
Dr. Wright provides specialist prosthodontics services for Redding, Shasta, and the neighbouring counties of Tehama; Siskiyou, Trinity; Modoc; Lassen; Plumas and Glenn..
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Ask the Doctor
Dr. Wright provides specialist prosthodontics services for Redding, Shasta, and the neighbouring counties of Tehama; Siskiyou, Trinity; Modoc; Lassen; Plumas and Glenn.
Should you have a question about prosthodontic treatment for yourself or family member, feel free to send Dr. Wright an email. He will be happy to respond within 48 hours.
