Monday, September 24, 2012

Teeth in an Hour, Teeth in a Day, All on 4, All on 6, Zygoma Implants- Crystal Lake Dental Associates


Teeth in an Hour- what is it? 


Teeth in a day, Teeth in an Hour, All on 4, All on 6, Zygoma implants

These phrases all refer to a basic stabilizing effect of locking 4 or more angled implants together at the time of placement in the jaw in a temporary fixed bridge or modified denture.

Am I a candidate for Teeth in an Hour?

If you have few or no teeth, an existing denture you wish to get rid of, you are probably a candidate. In the past, bone grafting and long healing periods were needed to provide enough bone for implant supported fixed bridges. With 3D CT scans, and new techniques, we are often  able to locate enough usable bone for implant placement.
When adequate bone is identified in certain areas, a surgeon-dentist-lab technician team can simultaneously place implants, and secure them with special parts to a pre-made or existing bridge or denture. In this way a patient can walk in with no teeth (or a removable denture) and walk out the same day with a fixed set of teeth. 

Advantages and Disadvantages of Teeth in an Hour

The advantages of this technique are:

  • Ease of the procedure
  • Ability to avoid painful bone grafting procedures
  • Potential of immediate loading at the surgical appointment
  • Decreased cost to the patient
  • Drastically improved aesthetics
  • Can be performed on the partially or fully edentulous patient
  • Ease of maintenance 
  • Can be done as a flapless procedure when using NobelGuide™ guided surgery protocol

The main disadvantage is
  •  Cost verses a conventional denture (or implant/ mini implant retained lower denture). 

Does everyone get the same set of teeth in “Teeth in an Hour”?

Your fixed bridge is customized just for you. There are several different configurations and combinations of implants and fixed bridges that will work. Much of the decision on which combination will work best is dependant on the location and amount of available bone as well as the patient’s esthetic and speech requirements.


Getting started

In order to get started, you can schedule a free consultation with Dr. Neal to discuss your particular needs and he can give you an estimated fee range fro your situation. After this Dr. Neal can schedule the appropriate records needed to begin. You will meet with Dr. Neal and the surgeon to plan your transformation day.   
After the placement of the implants and fixed bridge, you will have a few follow up appointments to observe proper healing and fit of the bridge. 

Final fixed Bridge

 At about 6 months, the implants will be evaluated for integration and placement of the final fixed bridge.

Do I need to go to one of the large clinics for this procedure?

Many local dental offices offer this great service. These offices work closely with the local oral surgeon and dental lab to provide the same level of care as the larger centrally located implant clinic. In addition you have the advantage of a neighborhood dentist to maintain your new implant supported fixed bridge as well as all of your, and your family’s regular dental care.

drneal.com
Dr Neal has been restoring implants for decades. In addition he has been placing and maintaining his own implants for the past 10 years.



Call today for an appointment!             815 459 2202    


 Dr. Neal answers all of your questions about, Teeth in a Day, Teeth in an Hour, All on 4, All on 6,  Dental Implants, Bridges, Dentures, and Implant Supported Dentures, and Fixed Bridges Crystal Lake Dental Associates.


Your comments are welcome

Phillip C. Neal DDS
Crystal Lake Dental Associates
280 B Memorial Court
Crystal Lake, Illinois 60014
drneal.com







Sunday, September 16, 2012

Dental Humor-Crystal Lake Dentist

A little dental humor to brighten your day.











Have a great day and keep smiling




Phillip C. Neal DDS
Crystal Lake Dental Associates
280 B Memorial Court
Crystal Lake, Illinois 60014

                                    815 459 2202       drneal.com                 

Monday, September 10, 2012

Sealants, Invisalign, braces,and Crowns in September-Crystal Lake Dentist





Exciting things going on since it's my birthday including these offers:
1 half (1/2) off all sealants during September
2 Invisalign special extended all month ($1,000 off all Invisalign and regular ortho cases)
3 crown day Sept 26th ($200 off all crowns that day).

Call today for an appointment! 815 459 2202


 Dr. Neal answers all of your questions about  Sealants, Invisalign, and Crowns at Crystal Lake Dental Associates.

Phillip C. Neal DDS
Crystal Lake Dental Associates
280 B Memorial Court
Crystal Lake, Illinois 60014
drneal.com



Friday, September 7, 2012

Dentures, Implants,Overdentures-Crystal Lake Dentist

New hope for denture wearers


Denture wearers now have options to improve retention with snap attachments to dental implants and mini dental implants.
Some of the more popular methods to convert an ill fitting lower dentures are:
  1. A bar connecting 2 or more implants called a hader bar or a bar with individual snaps
  2. Independent regular implants snaps to retain a denture
  3. Mini implants that  can snap over an o-rings in a  metal housing held in the denture.

Details

I have worked with all three of these snap-on systems and each has its particular advantages and disadvantages. I will cover them in more detail below.

The hader bar


The hader bar consists of 2 or more implants and a custom cast metal bar connecting the implants. The denture houses one or more metal retainers and plastic clips.

The advantages of this system are:
1.     The implants do not have to be placed parallel (which is challenging to do and not always possible).
2.     The retention is good and depending on the configuration, one or several retentive clips can be placed increasing retention.
3.     If the bar has implants placed in both the back and front areas of the jaws, there is almost no movement of the denture during use.
4.     Can be used for upper and lower dentures.
5.     Implants can be loaded immediately if planned and a computer generated surgical guide system with CT scan is utilized. The implants are splinted with the  computer milled titanium bar
.
The disadvantages are:
  1. Full sized implants must be placed.
  2. The cast bar increases the cost.
  3. The casting steps to the process
  4. Due to the height needed some patients may not have enough vertical space available for this type if retention system unless the bite is opened or the bone is surgically lowered.
  5. The cost is highest due to the type of implants needed, the lab procedures for the cast bar, and additional appointments.


Cast bar with ERA or Locator attachments


This type of system utilizes a cast bar and has 2 to several retentive clips soldered onto it. The 2 most common brands of clips are Locator and ERA.

 The advantages of this system are:
1.     The implants do not have to be parallel (which is challenging to do and not always possible).
2.     The retention can be increased with multiple clips.
3.     If the bar has implants placed in both the back and front areas of the jaws, there is almost no movement of the denture during use.
4.     Can be used for upper and lower dentures.

The disadvantages are:
1.   Full sized implants must be placed.
  1. The cast bar increases the .
  2. The casting adds steps to the process.
  3. Due to the height needed some patients may not have enough vertical space without modification.
  4. The cost is highest due to the type of implants needed, the lab procedures for the cast bar, and additional appointments.

Locator clip or ERA clip


The Locator/ERA type clip can be directly attached to 2 or more regular sized implants and provide good retention.

The advantages of these systems are:
1.     Lower cost than the bar system.
2.     Less time involved in fabricating as it is done chairside.
3.     Less vertical clearance is needed verses a bar system.
4.     Can be used for upper and lower dentures.

Mini Implant system


The Mini implant system consists of 4 or more implants placed in the across the front of the lower jaw and housings placed in the lowe3r denture with o-rings for retention.

The advantages are:
1.     Immediate loading of the implants (the entire process from implant placement to denture housing and loading of the housings can be done in about 1 hour
2.     Lowest cost of all. Lower cost of the mini implants (about ½ the cost of conventional implants each).
3.     Less bone is required for placement in atrophic jaws
4.     Fast healing as no tissue flaps are needed in most cases to view the site
5.     Less discomfort due to the smaller size and simple placement technique
6.     Do not have to be perfectly parallel with each other
Disadvantages  are:
1.     Can only be placed in lower jaw due to lower density of the bone in the upper jaw.
2.     May not be able eliminate some slight denture movement in the back when chewing (usually not a problem)
3.     Cannot be mixed with regular implants very easily.

 Dr. Neal answers all of your questions about  implants, dentures, and overdentures  at Crystal Lake Dental Associates.

Phillip C. Neal DDS
Crystal Lake Dental Associates
280 B Memorial Court
Crystal Lake, Illinois 60014

                                    815 459 2202                  

www.DrNeal.com