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Procedure Concerns with dental aesthetics have galloped into public consciousness over the last decade or so and methods of obtaining the perfect smile are readily available. But, sometimes, the gamut of solutions can't help. Some people's oral health issues until now could not be solved, either due to the specific issue or because of prohibitive cost. But, now, for people with compromised teeth there is a solution, less costly and less time-consuming than the most radical technology previously available — full-mouth implants — ever was and it returns 90 percent of their chewing ability. Best of all, it can be done in just one visit.
Cosmetic dentist Dr. Mike Golpa offers a new treatment called "Teeth In One Day" or "All-On-Four." He explains, "Until now, the choices for people with compromised teeth were limited. They could get removable dentures which aesthetically aren't pleasing and which greatly reduce chewing function to only 10 to 20 percent of normal."
"Or, they could get numerous implants on each arch and a fixed bridge. This is not only very costly, but it requires a multitude of appointments, months of healing and potential problems that may lead to bone and sinus grafting. There is also the option of having dentures connected to two or four implants. That's less expensive than full-mouth implants, but the dentures still have to be removed for hygiene purposes."
"Now," Dr. Golpa says, "there is new technology that is basically a combination of two systems: a CT scan guide made by Nobel Biocare that allows us to place an implant without even opening the gum and there is no need for sutures."
With the Teeth-In-One-Day technology (also called "All-On-Four" because everything is anchored to four implants) the CT scan fully recreates a three-dimensional surgical site and, using Nobel Biocare's computer-assisted design (CAD) and computer-assisted-manufacturing (CAM) technology, Dr. Golpa can develop a precise computerized surgical guide and, because the exact location of the placement of the four implants is known, the fixed bridge can be created in advance. All of the work is done in one visit.
It is a seamless process.
Bill Turkeri had the procedure recently. He says, "I didn't have too much choice. I've been losing my upper teeth. I was at the point that I couldn't even get my teeth cleaned without anesthetic because of the pain. I had to do something. I read about various procedures and this is the latest one. It looked good, so I decided to try it."
"It took a few hours to extract the teeth and put in the base for the implants. There's not that much pain, just a bit of discomfort but they gave me medication and I didn't feel anything. It was very tolerable."
"I definitely recommend this for other people. But," he emphasizes, "the dentist is very important. Dr. Golpa took his time and was there through every part of the process. I felt very comfortable and confident throughout. I left Dr. Golpa's office with teeth in my mouth and that was something I didn't think could happen."
Golpa notes, "The aesthetics are my specialty and passion, an area where I refuse to compromise. You will finish this procedure and leave here with what I demand for all my patients — a beautiful, healthy smile you can flash with pride and confidence."
Or, as Bill Turkeri says following his procedure, "Now, I don't have to cover my mouth when I laugh and that is wonderful."
For information, contact Smile Designs By Golpa, (702) 641-7111. www.newagedental.com
