The implants are placed in the bone on the first clinical appointment. The dental implants are usually  allowed to integrate with the bone for usually a period of 3 months . After this healing time the implants are examined to ascertain their "osteo-integration", or degree of fusion to the bone. The implant then can be prepared to accept the final prosthetic components.
Implants are made of a highly biocompatible material called titanium, which cannot decay and never needs root canal therapy. An advantage of implants is that they stimulate bone growth and thus prevent future bone loss. Bone behaves similar to muscle. When the muscle is stimulated and active, it will grow. If the muscle stops being active, it shrinks. The same events occur with bone, however if bone disappears, it can only be replaced with a bone graft.

In cases where multiple implants need to be placed or in areas where the bone topology is difficult,, advanced technology such as Simplant Planner or Nobel Biocare Nobel-Guide can be used to very accurately place the implants. This software uses CT scans to very accurately visualize the bone in 3-dimensions for accurate implant placement. See our Advanced Technology section for more information!

Be sure to visit our special dental implant site ChicagoImplantDentistry.com for more information on dental implants. You may special interest in the educational series  Dr. Gibbs was asked to produce on The Hidden Danger of Missing Teeth & Dentures, Replacing Missing Teeth with Dental Implants, and the latest video on So You Hate Your Dentures...How Dental Implants will Change Your Life!

Fro those people who information in a readable manner-I have your downloadable pdf version of an article Dr. Gibbs published on Replacing Missing Teeth and Eliminating Dental Bridges and Dental Partial with Dental Implants

Teeth in a Day Dental Implants

as the restoration can be completed more quickly. The biggest disadvantage is the risk of failure. If any one of the four implants fails, the entire restoration collapses.

Although there is immediate satisfaction,  conventional treatment only takes approximately 3-4 months longer and is much more likely to succeed long term.  Also to remember is that the procedure is best reserved for cases where bone volume  is low, and extra-long implants placed placed at angles might work.  The prosthesis that can be placed immediately is still temporary and the longer lasting denture is fabricated 3-4 months later.  To function short term the amount of bone loss existing must necessarily be extensive for the shorter interim prosthesis to be strong enough to survive and allow the implants to heal.

Dr. Gibbs is trained in procedure but reserves it for specialized cases.

The decision on how to replace uncomfortable dentures with one of the a implants alternatives depends on:

1)      Amount of bone loss

2)      Desire for esthetics and improve to facial tone (remember the muscle loss and sunken check with dentures)

3)      Current dental anatomy (smile line, opposing teeth, bruxism/clenching, arch form, etc.)

4)      Need and desire for no plastic on the roof of the mouth

5)      Need and desire for ability to taste food, eliminate food impaction, and not worry about loose dentures

6)      Amount of halitosis (bad breath) and sore gum problems

7)      Financial ability (more on affordability and financing later)

One patient compared the costs of the various treatment options using car prices as an analogy:

“Dentures would be like buying a rusted out wreck. Mini-implants would be like buying a used car. Implant retained dentures like purchasing an inexpensive car. Implant support overdentures would like purchasing a nice car. And both All-on-4 and implant supported bridges are like buying a luxury automobile.”

This analogy is very broad, and again, the treatment plan depends largely on the individual. An additional consideration is a where a patient can begin within the scope of a longer-range treatment plan. For example, a patient may be able to start out with an implant retained denture, and then convert to an implant supported denture a year later.

But “I’m Too Old!”

Finally, if you think you are too old to consider the alternatives to dentures, consider this: At age 65 a female has a 19% chance of living an additional 30 years, a 40% chance of living an additional 25 years and a nearly 10% chance of living to age 100! Quality of life plays an enormous role in how you actually live your life.

Let me share a story with you about one of my patients.

Quality of Life or Price--A True Story:

One of my more memorable patients was a 92 year lady named Olga. She was in good but not excellent health. She was very thin and a little frail, and had great spirit.

Olga’s complaint was that she could not chew food properly and that her dentures fell out when speaking. Having “old-fashioned” dentistry” her entire life, she now wanted dental implants to restore some of her lost function.

We placed two implants in her upper jaw, and three in her lower jaw to “fasten down” her dentures.

Olga lived to be 3 weeks short of age 96 and moved hundreds of miles from the office. Her daughter come into the office and thanked us “for giving her mother’s life back”. She said that after having the implants her mother regained some of the lost weight and vigor she previously had [proper nutrition and ability to eat good foods!] Also, her daughter noted that her mother smiled and laughed more as she did not have worry about her dentures flying out. Mostly her daughter said that she was so delighted that her mother could have the last few years being comfortable, eating healthy, and being happy again

But—what smile are you actually dreaming about.  Everybody has a different concept of what makes the perfect smile for their smile makeover.  This is usually influenced by people with smiles they have admired, movie stars and media personalities, the culture they identify with, and how they want to be portrayed.

What we have found to useful is the use of the LVI smile catalog for individual smile design.  This shows a series of 12 different smiles with names like ‘youthful” or “dominant.”  All of the smiles are on the same person with a different set of porcelain veneers.

The porcelain veneers vary in the shapes of incisal edges, the offset of the teeth, and how “pointy” the teeth are.  Many patients look endlessly at these different chooses.  We can choose the color of the porcelain veneers or cosmetic crowns in the office with a shade guide, but the particular smile design varies by person.

Businessmen for instance may chose the “dominant” style seeking to look more forceful.  A 50 year old women wanting cosmetic dentistry however might chose “youthful” or “Hollywood” for her smile style.

In addition to monitoring with a pulse oximeter, all staff are certified by the University of Illinois and have their BLS certification )renewed every 2 years).  Dr. Gibbs additionally has his ACLS certification (Advanced Cardiac Life Support), and takes extensive continuing education in the field.

Please also see our New Patient Specials, and information on Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Implants, Invisalign,
Relaxed Dental Care using Advanced Technology or Dental Sedation.

Note:Your privacy will be respected.  Leave mailing info or phone number if you want more  detailed information mailed to you!

Please also see our New Patient Specials, and information on Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Implants, Invisalign,
Relaxed Dental Care using Advanced Technology or Dental Sedation.

Note:Your privacy will be respected.  Leave mailing info or phone number if you want more  detailed information mailed to you!

Most people know Whoopi Goldberg well for her many movies and presence on the TV show The View. On show The View, Whoopi relates her recent dental experiences with gum disease and losing teeth.

Whoopi says wisely “If you’re not taking care of your teeth you’re not taking care of your whole body—and it’s killing you!” ! Readers Digest reported recently that we are twice as likely to die of a heart attack, and 3 times to die of a stroke. There is also an increased incidence and severity of pneumonia and diabetes! She also relates that she avoided dental care even though she had good dental insurance. Dental fear should also not be a deterrent with all of the advances available in dental comfort and sedation!

Preventing future gum disease and tooth is important to your health.. We suggest you watch!