“All On Four” Implants Revolutionize the Field of Fixed Oral Rehabilitation and the Lives of Countless Patients, PART 3

Welcome to the final installment of this three-part article series on the “All on Four” Dental Implants Chicago technique, how it differs from traditional dental implant techniques and how it has changed the lives of countless Chicago residents. Now that we’ve addressed the differences between the “All-on-4” and older implant methods, let’s take a look at what patients can expect from their beautiful, new teeth!

An experienced dental implant expert in Chicago helps us with this one…

What will my new teeth be like?

Dental Implant Expert: “Your new teeth will actually consist of a non-removable prosthetic dental bridge, which is fabricated from exceptionally strong, durable and aesthetic materials to closely resemble and function like a healthy set of natural teeth. The custom bridge is fitted to the abutments of four dental implants, which have been placed permanently in the jaw. As such, your new teeth will be fixed and won’t move around at all. This is the first difference you’ll notice if you’ve become used to removable dentures.”

Will my new teeth feel natural?

Dental Implant Expert: “Yes! Once you’ve grown accustomed to the fit and feel of your new teeth, they’ll feel very similar to a complete set of healthy teeth. Because the bridge is anchored in your mouth via implants, which are supported by the jawbone, the “All-on-4” will feel far more like natural teeth than dentures do. They don’t rest on or push uncomfortably against the gums and they don’t typically cause any pain or discomfort. Your implant-supported teeth are probably the closest thing you can experience to having a beautiful and natural-feeling set of teeth again!”

Will I be able to eat my favorite foods with my new teeth?

Chicago Dental Implant Expert: “The dental bridge supported by the All on Four dental implants is fabricated from extremely durable composite materials that are able to support a natural bite strength. This means that you should be able to manage most, if not all of your favorite foods without pain, discomfort or difficulty. Additionally, you won’t have to worry about food becoming trapped underneath your bridge, as is unpleasantly the case with traditional removable dentures. Eating with All on Four implants is very similar to eating with natural teeth.”

Is there anything I can’t do with my new teeth?

Dental Implant Expert: “Well, the things you shouldn’t do with your new teeth are no different to the things you shouldn’t do with your original teeth. You really shouldn’t be eating hard, damaging substances like ice, popcorn kernels and such. Other than that, you should be able to manage all kinds of foods, including corn on the cob, steak and crunchy vegetables.”

Will my teeth ever require restoration?

Chicago Dental Implant Expert: “If you look after your new teeth well and if you’re careful about the things you eat, they won’t require restoration for over a decade, if not longer. You should also go to your Chicago Dentist for routine cleaning and maintenance every six months. In short, once you’ve healed successfully from your procedure and are enjoying your new teeth, the costs of cleaning and maintenance are no more than they’d be if you had natural teeth!”

About the Author, Dr. Irfan Atcha

Dr. Atcha is an experienced cosmetic, sedation, general and dental implant dentist who has been serving the Chicago area since 1996. In addition to his Chicago-based practice, Dr. Atcha also serves much of the neighboring state through the Center of Implants, Sedation and Cosmetic Dentistry, which is located in Dyer, northwest Indiana. Dr. Atcha is the holder of numerous prestigious fellowships and memberships and is dedicated to mastering the very latest and most cutting edge procedures and techniques through continued education.

“All-On-4” Dental Implants Revolutionizes the Field of Oral Rehabilitation and the Lives of Countless Patients, PART 2

Welcome to the second installment of this three-part article series on the “All-on-4” dental implants technique, how it differs from traditional approaches to fixed oral rehabilitation and how it has changed the lives of countless Chicago residents.

Previously, in Part 1, the various courses of action available to the Chicago residents who had lost most or all of their teeth (usually to gum disease) were explained to us. They were either removable dentures or traditional Chicago Dental Implant techniques. The former was typically uncomfortable, challenging and compromised one’s self-esteem and ability to eat and speak properly. The latter could require up to 18 months in and out of surgery and was expensive, painful and traumatic for patients to go through.

This all changed with the innovation of “All-on-4” dental implants. Let’s take a look how:

How the “All-on-4” Revolutionized the Market

The “All-on-4” is a sophisticated dental implant technique that was innovated by Portuguese implantologist, Dr. Paulo Malo. It was designed with the intention of overcoming all the traditional problems and challenges that faced older dental implant techniques, such as the need for bone grafting, multiple placement procedures and lengthy recovery periods.

After years of research, clinical trials and hard work by Dr. Malo and one of the world’s largest dental implant manufacturers, Nobel Biocare, “All-on-4” dental implants were released to the market and Chicago Dentists swarmed to the MALO CLINIC in Lisbon to master the technique.

Why were “All-on-4” dental implants regarded as such a breakthrough in the field of fixed oral rehabilitation? Because:

1.      They typically avoid the need for bone grafting surgery: Through the strategic orientation of only four dental implants, enough support can be provided to a fixed (non-removable) and custom-designed dental bridge, which resembles a complete set of teeth and gums. This is possible even for patients who have lost a fair amount of bone volume to jawbone atrophy, as was explained in Part 1 of the series.

2.     They can be placed in a single dental procedure: That’s right! Instead of multiple dental surgeries spread out over the course of a year and a half, the “All-on-4” can be completed in just one sitting because only four dental implants are being placed per jaw, rather than 8 or 10.

3.     The “All-on-4” can provide most patients – even complex cases – with new teeth in one day from one office.

4.     The costs associated with fixed oral rehabilitation are tens of thousands of dollars less than those accrued by traditional dental implants techniques, making the “All-on-4” vastly more accessible to Chicago residents.

And so, you see, “All-on-4” dental implants vastly surpass the capabilities of traditional dental implant techniques, making it possible for those who desperately need new teeth to have their lives changed overnight. But, this doesn’t answer exactly what patients can expect from their new teeth... what are they like? Do they feel like natural teeth? Do they enable you to eat your favorite foods? Will they ever require restoration and are they expensive to maintain?

You’ll find out in Part 3!

Stay Tuned for Part 3

Stay tuned for the final installment of this three-part series to find out just what Chicago residents can expect from their new “All-on-4” teeth!

About the Author, Dr. Irfan Atcha

Dr. Atcha is an experienced cosmetic, sedation, general and dental implant dentist who has been serving the Chicago area since 1996. In addition to his Chicago-based practice, Dr. Atcha also serves much of the neighboring state through the Center of Implants, Sedation and Cosmetic Dentistry, which is located in Dyer, northwest Indiana. Dr. Atcha is the holder of numerous prestigious fellowships and memberships and is dedicated to mastering the very latest and most cutting edge procedures and techniques through continued education.

“All-On-4” Revolutionizes the Field of Implant Dentistry and the Lives of Countless Patients, PART 1

The “All-on-4” isn’t new to the dental market, but with every passing year it seems to gather in notoriety and fame in its unparalleled ability to treat patients who are suffering from the kind of rampant tooth loss that is associated with untreated gum disease. What is the “All-on-4” and how does it differ from traditional dental implant techniques in almost every conceivable way? In this three-part article series, an experienced expert in Chicago Dental Implants will be guiding us through this procedure and the many ways it has managed to completely change the lives of thousands of patients.

First, however, let’s take a look at the way things used to be prior to the innovation of the “All-on-4”…

The Journey to Fixed Oral Rehabilitation

There are thousands, if not tens of thousands of Chicago residents who are battling with a condition known as gum disease. The consequence of this disease, when left untreated as it so often is, is tooth loss. It doesn’t take much imagination to empathize with someone who has lost most or even all of their original adult teeth: eating, speaking and smiling comfortably and confidently suddenly become long-forgotten luxuries.

Traditionally, the Chicago residents who were in need of full arch restoration could either have removable dentures fitted, or they could have permanent teeth placed through multiple dental implant procedures. The former only offered transient relief, because soon the loss of jawbone volume, which results from atrophy, would cause their dentures to slip and become terribly uncomfortable. Dentures also require cleaning after eating and tend to cause pain, discomfort, inconvenience and a low self-esteem.

The latter solution afforded by dental implants would – ultimately – offer a more sophisticated and permanent solution, but the journey getting there could be torturous…

How Traditional Dental Implant Techniques Worked

Prior to the innovation of “All-on-4” implants, Chicago implant dentists would often need to perform bone grafting surgery on patients who had lost a lot of bone volume in the jaw. This is often a result of hard tissue atrophy caused by the absence of the tooth roots, which play an important role in keeping the jaw stimulated and healthy. So, before a patient could even get dental implants placed, they’d need to have all of their remaining, failing teeth extracted and have bone tissue grafted with their jaws: an expensive procedure that is highly invasive and often requires a lengthy, painful recovery.

Only once bone grafting has been completed and is successful can the patient return to have his or her implants placed. The problem here is that full arch restoration could require as many as 8 or even 10 implants per jaw (that’s 20 in total for both the upper and lower jaw) and no Dentists in Chicago would risk such an extensive and punishing procedure! Rather, implant placement would take place over the course of up to 18 months and entail multiple surgeries, during which 4 to 6 implants would be placed at a time.

The expense of all these surgeries, recovery periods and dental appointments worked out to be exorbitant for Chicago residents. As a result, many simply opted to have removable dentures fitted, even though they were the less sophisticated choice and often became a nightmare to live with.

Thankfully, this all changed with the innovation of the “All-on-4” dental implant technique.

Stay Tuned for Part 2

Now that the scene has been set, we can fully explore the “All-on-4” and how the outcomes provided by this procedure have set it well apart from all other teeth replacement techniques, including the more traditional approaches to dental implant surgery. Stay tuned for the second installment of this three-part series to read on!

About the Author, Dr. Irfan Atcha

Dr. Atcha is an experienced cosmetic, sedation, general and dental implant dentist who has been serving the Chicago area since 1996. In addition to his Chicago-based practice, Dr. Atcha also serves much of the neighboring state through the Center of Implants, Sedation and Cosmetic Dentistry, which is located in Dyer, northwest Indiana. Dr. Atcha is the holder of numerous prestigious fellowships and memberships and is dedicated to mastering the very latest and most cutting edge procedures and techniques through continued education.

Some Great Teeth Whitening in Chicago Tips for Winter Season

Do it Yourself - Teeth Whitening in Chicago Tips 

There are several teeth whitening methods, such as toothpastes, over-the-counter teeth whitening gels and mouthwash, and professional teeth whitening treatments provided by the dentists in Chicago. But there are easy to do, simple, affordable, and effective things that you can do on your own to brighten your teeth and smile. 

Rub banana peel on the inside of your teeth-Bananas contain potassium, magnesium, and manganese. Rub the inside of the banana peel on your teeth for just about two minutes every day. These minerals would be absorbed by your teeth and would help keep them looking white and bright. 

Apply strawberry paste-Strawberries work as excellent bleaching agents. The acid present in the strawberries helps polish and whiten the teeth. You can mash up a few strawberries and gently apply this paste on your teeth to get rid of stains. For better results, mix it with a small amount of baking powder. You will have a home-made, natural teeth whitening toothpaste. 

Use olive oil-Olive oil is not only good for your skin and health, but also for your teeth. Those living in Chicago, interested in natural teeth whitening, should take a clean cloth or a cotton ball to apply olive oil to their teeth to enjoy beautiful, sparkling teeth. 

Rinse your teeth with apple cider Vinegar-Add one part of apple cider vinegar to two parts of water and swish the solution for around 2 minutes in your mouth. It is a good, safe, and natural teeth whitening solution to get white and beautiful teeth. 

Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables-Fresh fruits and vegetables are good for your teeth and for your overall health and well-being. Dentists in Chicago believe that eating raw fruits and vegetables helps. Consider carrots, apples, cauliflower, and nuts to remove the surface stains and plaque that builds on the teeth, leading to cavities, tooth decay, and other dental problems. 

Use a straw to drink your beverages- Tea, coffee, wine, and energy drinks can stain your teeth. If you can’t stay away from them, use a straw to drink them instead. This will help minimize the effect of these drinks on your teeth and would protect them to a large extent. 

Brush your tongue-Brushing your tongue can not only give you fresher breath, it can also give you whiter and brighter teeth. Dentists believe that brushing one’s teeth helps prevent teeth staining. Your tongue accumulates bacteria which eventually leads to teeth discoloration. With a soft brush, gently brush your tongue to remove the bacteria. 

Use baking soda and hydrogen peroxide- Add one teaspoon of baking soda, one teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide and half a teaspoon of water to your regular toothpaste and brush your teeth with this mixture. This solution is quite effective in removing teeth stains but should be used just once a month as the chemicals present in the baking soda are quite abrasive in nature. 

Keep the above Teeth Whitening Chicago tips in mind to smile radiantly and confidently this winter!!