July 22, 2013

Not All Bone Grafts Are Created Equal- Advanced Bone Grafting For Dental Implants

Dr. Chilcoat @ 7:18 am
sinus bone graft for implants

Sinus Bone Graft For Implants

Dental implants are the most successful and dependable form of tooth replacement, but if you have been missing teeth for a long time, your jaw bone structure may no longer be sufficient to support implants.

Your jaw bone is supported and stimulated by the presence of natural teeth.  When teeth are lost, the bone changes shape.  With no tooth root to stimulate the bone, it begins to recede and shrink.  If bone loss has advanced significantly, there will not be enough bone depth or width to support tooth replacement with dental implants.  In cases like this, a bone grafting procedure is required in order to build the bone structure up enough to successfully support implants.

Bone Grafting Procedure

Bone grafting is both an art and a science.  It is important to utilize bone grafting techniques which promote optimal growth of new bone cells.  Dr. Robert A. Weinstein of Texas Wisdom Teeth and Dental Implants has had very good success in advanced bone grafting using the most up to date and modern grafting techniques.

Dr. Weinstein has found that while there are many bone grafting products available such as demineralized human bone, bovine bone and even synthetic hydroxylapetite, the most successful bone grafting procedures are those in which the patient’s own bone is used in the grafting procedure.  Nothing is accepted by the body as readily as a patient’s own bone.  The transfer of live bone cells into an environment with good blood supply is important to bone graft success.  In addition, elements taken from a patient’s blood and combined with growth factor medications help the grafted area to heal and begin producing new bone cells faster.

This technique is especially successful in more complex grafting procedures such as ridge widening grafts and sinus lift grafts.

For more information about advanced dental bone grafting techniques, and whether a bone grafting procedure can make it possible for you to restore missing teeth, contact the office of Dr. Robert A. Weinstein today.

 

July 8, 2013

Bad Teeth Out- New Teeth In: Permanent, Fixed Teeth In One Day

Dr. Chilcoat @ 9:17 am

Do you think you are stuck with damaged, decayed and painful teeth?  Dental implants may be one of the most well-known and sought after treatments for permanent tooth replacement, but the preconceptions that go along with implants often prevent perfect candidates from cashing in on this life-improving treatment.

Some misconceptions and pre-conceptions about dental implants cause people to continue to suffer with painful, damaged teeth, ill-fitting dentures and a lifetime of soft, easy to chew foods.  Here are some dental implant myths and why you should look further into finding out if replacing your teeth in a day is right for you.

  1. Dental implants take too long to completion

For most patients who have the goal of replacing a mouth full of painful, decayed teeth, the treatment time is faster than you think.  Did you know that using the All On Four dental implants technique allows you to have your damaged teeth removed, dental implants placed and new teeth fixed to the implants in just one day?  It’s true.  While some patients may need more complex treatment such as bone grafting before implants can be placed, for most people the treatment can be completed in just one day.

2.  Dental Implants Are Too Expensive

Dental implants are comparable in price to crowns and bridges when it comes to full mouth replacement.   In fact, most patients agree that over time, tooth replacement with dental implants is more cost-effective than other treatment options.  This is because once placed in the jaw, a dental implant will remain stable and solid for the rest of your life 97% of the time.  The failure rate for implants is low, and the lifespan for them is long.  Another way to gauge the cost effectiveness of dental implants is to consider the impact on your quality of life.  Is it worth a financial investment to you to regain confidence in your smile?  How about having the ability to enjoy the foods you love?  Dentures are less expensive than dental implants, but they require replacement about every 6 years.  This is due, in part, to the fact that wearing dentures quickens the loss of bone structure in the jaws, which leads to loss of vertical dimension (also known as pucker-face).

3.  Dental implants are painful

Like any surgical procedure, dental implant surgery does involve some degree of discomfort.  Patients sleep through the procedure, eliminating the discomfort of having dental work performed, and wake up pain free because of the local anesthetic used during surgery.  When the numbness wears off, patients will experience post -operative soreness and mild to moderate pain, which is usually controlled with prescription medication.  Most patients report that the discomfort associated with having a dental implant placed is much less than that of having a tooth extracted, and even less than a toothache.  In the majority of dental implant patients, discomfort is easily controlled with an over the counter analgesic such as Advil or Tylenol after the first couple of days.

 

Are Same Day Dental Implants Right For you?

There is only one way to find out.  Schedule a consultation with an oral surgeon, like Dr. Robert A. Weinstein, today.  You can download a coupon for a free consultation and x-ray here.  If you find that you are a good candidate for full mouth replacement with All On Four dental implants, our team will work with you to help alleviate your apprehensions about time, cost and recovery.  We can assist you with payment plans and even travel assistance if you are traveling to Dallas for your dental implant treatment.

You can regain the quality of life you thought you left behind.  Eat, laugh, talk and smile again with confidence.  The first step is yours, we will walk you through the rest.

 

July 1, 2013

Have You Heard of Full Mouth Implants In a Day?

Dr. Chilcoat @ 8:43 am

Dental patients across Texas are searching for the best way to replace missing teeth without dentures.  For many, the All On Four implant technique is the answer to struggling with painful or ill-fitting dentures.

How Does All On Four Work?

all on 4 dental implants

Full mouth replacement with only 4 dental implants

When all the teeth are missing, an entire dental arch (upper or lower set of teeth) can be replaced using just four precisely positioned dental implants.  Four implants are surgically placed in the jaw.  A provisional prosthesis (hybrid denture) is fitted and installed on the dental implants allowing for the patient to achieve immediate dental restoration.  This means that a patient can walk into the office with no teeth or a mouth full of damaged teeth, and leave with a brand new beautiful set of permanent teeth.

Treatment with the All On Four technique is highly specialized and requires a team approach which consists of an experienced surgeon, a restorative dentist and a dental lab technician.  The team works together, each providing expertise in their own area of specialization to achieve same day dental implant results.

Where Can You Get All On 4?

While the technique has been practiced for more than 10 years, and has become well known as the premiere dental treatment for tooth replacement, expertise in the All On 4 technique is not as widespread as with single tooth dental implants.  Patients in Texas must travel to a major city in order to receive the treatment.  Traveling to Dallas can be a smart decision when pursuing full mouth dental implants.  The All On Four technique provides some considerable advantages

  • Fixed teeth (attached to the implants) are delivered on the day of surgery
  • Fewer implants means more cost-effective treatment
  • A team approach, providing expertise in a multi-specialty setting
  • Dental implants are the best available treatment for missing teeth

Interested In Finding Out If All On 4 Is Right For You?

The best way to find out if the all on four dental implant technique is the best option for your full mouth replacement is to schedule a consultation appointment.  At your consultation you will have the opportunity to have a personal one on one conversation with your doctor to establish your dental goals and discuss options for treatment.  If the All On 4 technique is the best option for you, our doctors and team will work with you to plan for the treatment, assist with budgeting for costs and create a timeline for treatment.  If you are traveling to Dallas for the procedure, our team will be happy to assist you with everything from booking travel to arranging for a hotel stay.  We can even have your prescriptions delivered to your hotel.

Want More Information About All On Four?

Give us a call today and speak with our dental implant treatment coordinator.  You can reach us by phone at 972-960-111, via email at care@texaswisdom.com or via live chat right on our website.