Smiles Forever LLC

Implants

Implants may be used to replace single teeth, multiple teeth, and to support and stabilize partial and complete dentures –especially lower dentures.

Dental implants can be placed at the time of tooth extraction or any time after that provided there is a sufficient volume of bone. If a natural tooth is extracted, it preferable to place the dental implant within a year of the extraction to prevent further bone loss (ie disuse atrophy). If there is not a sufficient amount of bone, additional bone grafting procedures are available to increase the volume. They include particulate grafts, block grafts, sinus grafts and ridge splitting. Dr. Uchida performs these grafting procedures on a regular basis.

Implants not only provide function, they also retain beauty. Like natural teeth an implant stimulates bone and will retain the bony support of the facial muscles, tissues and skin. As a result, the facial features are not compromised by lack of support. They are part of the support system that will prevent irreversible facial changes that makes one look older.

In the year 2000, Dr Uchida took special training and graduated from the Misch International Implant Institute. It is the leader in dental implant education. This ten month intensive course allows him to both surgically place and restore implants in the same office. And, safely sedated using a small pill, this procedure has become extremely routine. 90% of our paitients do not remember their implant surgery appointment. Now you have the confidence of keeping things totally relaxed, convenient and simple.

"Mini Implants"-help for the lower denture

Simple, fast, and great value. A cost-effective way for long-term lower denture users. "I just want a little help with my lower denture that seems to have a mind of it’s own," is something that a typical mini implant candidate patient would say..

Upper Palate less Denture options

1. All-On-4. All-On-4 Developed in Portugal by Dr Paulo Malo in the 1990's this tecchnique is rapidly spreading throughout the world because of what it delivers. It gives one non-removable teeth at time of surgery and does not involve bone grafting. 4 implants are used. It is of lower cost than the traditional implants with bridges. It is now considered a premiere technique.

2. Implant Borne Bridge. Closely related to the All-On-4 this technique is indicated when one has a “gummy” smile and/or if one has compromised bone. It gives one fixed/removable teeth and takes about 6 months to finish. It is also performed on 4 implants.

3. Premium Overdenture. This is a technique that we have incorporated in our practice based on reviewing the results of implant dentists over time. It fills a niche for a palate less denture with a budget in mind. It also gives one removable teeth and takes about 6 months to finish. 4 implants are used.

"Isn't it painful"

A common question. Having implants done is very similar in experience to having a simple tooth extraction and definitely more comfortable than third molar/wisdom tooth surgery. The reason is that bone has very few nerve fibers within it and as long as the periosteom (the thin layer of tissue surrounding the bone) is handled gently, there is no to very minimal pain. In fact, most of our implant patients do not take their pain medications the next day. Surprising, but a reality. Our implant patients are given a highly effective combination of medications to help them along during and after surgery. An oral sedative is given to totally relax them, a steroid is given to minimize swelling, a pain medication is given to help with any discomfort and antibiotics are given to help the body handle infection. Typically one day of recovery is all that is required.