The evolution of dental implant technology has made a huge improvement for denture patients.
The team at Pi Dental Implant Center has blended decades of research with constantly emerging new technology and materials to ensure that our patients receive the most scientifically advanced treatment and the most natural looking replacement teeth available.
Dental implants have become more predictable, enduring and cost effective than other dental solutions and are now stronger, more permanent and possible for virtually almost any patient.
All-on-4® Treatment Concept Dental Implants
The “All-on-4” dental implant protocol has become very popular because it is the most economic approach to dental implant care. This procedure allows the doctor to build an upper and/or lower smile using only four titanium implants per arch for support. The strength of titanium and its non-decay property make the “All on 4” a solution for many patients. For anatomical reasons, arches treated with All-on-4® Treatment Concept Dental Implants will usually be shorter in length than a full complement of natural teeth.
In many cases, the engineering of All-on-4® Treatment Concept Dental Implants will function effectively for a long period of time. In others where there are variables such as systemic abnormalities or intense personalities, the “All-on-4” approach may need to be upgraded and a more reliable implant structure may be required to support a healthy smile.
The good news about “All-on-4” is that it can be the stepping stone that prevents dentures. It permits a patient to achieve a permanent solution with a smaller investment and then later add additional implant support.
Pi Dental Center Prosthodontists routinely provide patients with the “All-on-4” dental implant protocol; however, in some cases, the doctors advocate the use of more implants to effect the best bio-mechanics. This is because more implants supporting the prosthesis, the greater is the surface for chewing forces to be distributed.
How Stress Affects Implants
Stress and bruxing (clenching and grinding of the teeth) lead to most of the fractures in porcelain or acrylic teeth.
When there are more than four implants in a single arch, there is less flex, and therefore less breakage.
Patients with some systemic compromises such as uncontrolled diabetes and patients addicted to smoking are less optimal candidates for All on 4 Dental Implants. Implant reconstructions can be very successful in these patients, but the small percentage of implant failures are found in these cases. Three implants are unlikely to support a healthy full arch prosthesis.
Teeth in a Day®
At the Pi Dental Center, ongoing research with the “immediate loading” of dental implants has been underway for decades.
Loading means that on the same day we place the implants in a patient’s mouth, we are able to deliver temporary non-removable teeth, hence “Teeth in a Day®.”
The temporary teeth are not as technologically refined as the final smile will be, but anatomically and cosmetically, they look like real teeth and they provide the patient with a comfortable chewing surface for the 3-5 month healing period until the bone integrates with the titanium implants. Then the final teeth are set in place.
Dental Implant Technology for a Sensational Smile
The fabrication of a prosthetic smile requires both scientific and artistic precision.
The use of computer engineering, 3-D scanning and robotic milling give shape and stability to the sub-structure of the smile. Then the artisans from our first class dental lab go to work with deft fingers and eyes specially trained to determine minute shade differences.
