Advancements in Medicine Section
New Solutions for Tooth Loss
Tooth loss is more common than you might expect. In fact, more than 35 million Americans are missing all of their upper and/or lower teeth. Unfortunately, substantial tooth loss, which causes shrinkage of the jawbone and surrounding tissue, can hinder your ability to eat, drink, and even talk.
In the past, the only option for patients who were missing all of their teeth was a removable denture. With no supports or anchors, these dentures were loose and uncomfortable, and they came with a whole host of issues.
Today, advancements in dentistry have made removable dentures the least desirable option. With the same-day hybrid procedure, your dental surgeon can affix an entire upper or lower denture using just four dental implants.
How It Works
A smile restoration using at least four dental implants requires proper planning and the most advanced dental technologies available. These include 3-D cone-beam CT scan and 3-D scanning of the jaw to identify the best placement for your implants, 3-D printing of a dental model to determine appropriate shape and size for the prosthesis, and on-site milling of the actual prosthesis for same-day placement.
Following the planning stage, your dentist will remove necessary teeth from the jaw, surgically insert at least four implants, and secure the prosthesis for healing.
What to Expect from the Process
It is important to determine proper candidacy for this procedure and not rush the process.
This procedure is best treated under IV sedation. The patient will present for surgery and leave with a new set of preliminary teeth that are only removed by the surgeon. Healing is predicable and with only mild discomfort.
Benefits to Patients
This “hybrid denture” technique is a game changer. Confidence, the ability to functionally chew, and overall health are restored. With a conventional denture, a person can only chew with one-fifth the force of the jaw. This procedure can restore function almost entirely, with the hybrid denture operating just like a healthy set of natural teeth. Nutrition is improved and therefore quality of life.