IMMEDIATE LOAD IMPLANTS with EXTRACTIONS, GRAFTING
and SCREW RETAINED FIXED IMPLANT PROSTHESIS

"TEETH TODAY" 

If you're missing a tooth or many teeth, you may find that there are other things you are missing. You may wish for a natural smile and the ability to chew enjoyable foods and speak clearly. You may feel self-conscious about the missing teeth and changes in the mouth, or concerned as other teeth shift position with time.  Perhaps you have experienced a change in "Facial Aesthetics" or how the mouth and face are changing in appearance, with an appearance of an older individual. The effect of tooth loss varies from person to person and depends on what exactly has been lost.  When a tooth with its root is lost,  the bone around the tooth will gradually shrink or atrophy, and the remaining teeth may shift and chewing will become more difficult with time, along with negative facial changes. There are a number of ways to replace teeth.   When a single tooth is lost an implant and crown are the first choice for replacement.  When all teeth are lost the patient is forced to replace all teeth and gum tissue with either complete dentures or with an implant supported prosthesis.  When all teeth are lost their replacement does not require replacement with an implant per tooth, less implants are required.

Older techniques associated with dental implants would often require many months or longer to complete treatment. Dr. EDward M. Amet is a suburban Overland Park, Kansas prosthodontist and Diplomate of The American Board of Prosthodontics and Diplomate of The American Board of Oral Implantology/Implant Dentistry. He has been placing implants since 1974, and has developed and perfected many techniques that enables patients to literally have "Teeth Today"!

As Dr. Amet explains the concept of "Teeth Today", this refers to replacement of natural and prosthetic teeth with dental implants, that are placed so not only do patients get their new teeth the same day, they will have more natural looking teeth and gum tissue because of the shortened treatment time.  Replacing the tooth or teeth immediately has many advantages over extended implant times. For instance, delayed placement of a tooth or teeth allows the surrounding gums and bone tissues to shrink.  Later, when the dentist attempts to place an implant the missing tooth or teeth, the gums may have receded as to create an unnatural looking gum line or there may be inadequate bone remaining.  Other advantages of this cutting edge technology include: dramatic reduction in treatment time and the number of appointments, immediate full function of the new tooth or teeth, a very real natural look and much less discomfort.  Many of Dr. Amet's patients have reported almost no pain after the procedure. 

Typically, dental implants are allowed to heal from twelve weeks to six or more months before they are used to support new teeth. The "Teeth In a Day" concept can usually be used to replace a single tooth, several teeth, or a full mouth of teeth, upper or lower, with remarkable comfort, predictability and aesthetics. Other procedures like extractions can also be accomplished at the same time and when using the patient's own Growth Factor in the form of (PRP) Platelet Rich Plasma, can shorten the healing time. As Dr. Amet reports, it is possible to walk into the "Center" missing one tooth or a whole mouthful of teeth, and leave with a completely new set that are firmly anchored, unlike complete dentures or removable temporaries.”

“While extractions with implant replacement and prosthetic replacement may seem like extensive treatment for a patient to go through in one day, most patients respond very favorably with little discomfort, swelling or disruption in their daily schedules,” says Dr. Amet. He has performed this procedure on patients ranging in ages from their teens to their 90s with similar success. Patients who have undergone the procedure rarely take more than over-the-counter pain medication for a few days afterward. Also, they report a dramatic improvement in aesthetics, chewing ability, security and overall dental comfort as compared to failing teeth or loose irritating dentures.

“Anyone who is missing one or more of their teeth due to injury, disease, or decay may be a candidate for dental implants,” says Dr. Amet. If one, a few or all teeth are missing, dental implants are the best option. Occasionally, older patients express concern that their age may prevent them from the benefits that dental implants offer. However, health is more of a determining factor than age. If you're healthy enough to have a tooth extracted, you're probably healthy enough to receive dental implants.

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