Miami All-on-4® Dental Implants Dentist
People who are missing most of their teeth or an entire arch of teeth may be able to reconstruct their smile with an All-on-4® dental implant procedure in Miami. Unlike traditional dentures, bridges and partials that rest on the gums, Ramon Bana, DDS, provides his dental implant patients with prosthetic teeth that are attached to dental implants. The four dental implants ensures that the patient’s prosthesis remains in place, just like natural teeth.
What Are All-On-4 Dental Implants in Miami?
The All-on-4 dental implant procedure is an innovative tooth replacement option for those who are missing multiple teeth on the same arch, or an entire arch of teeth. During this revolutionary procedure, Dr. Bana strategically places four dental implants within the jawbone. These implants anchor the patient’s permanently placed prosthetic teeth or removable, implant-supported denture.
Understanding the Osseointegration Process Following Implant Placement
The four dental implants that Dr. Ramon Bana places during the All-on-4 procedure serve as anchors, literally stabilizing the patient’s prosthesis. Once he inserts the implants into the jawbone, the osseointegration process begins. During this process, the bone bonds to the implant, essentially making it part of the jawbone.
What Replaces the Visible Portion of a Patient’s Missing Teeth?
The All-on-4 dental implant procedure replaces an entire arch of teeth with a prosthesis or removable dentures. Multiple teeth on the same arch can be replaced using either a removable or permanently affixed partial.
Why Do People Choose All-On-4 Dental Implants in Miami Instead of Traditional Dentures and Partials?
For decades, conventional dentures and partials that rest on the gums were the most common solution for replacing missing teeth. There are several negative aspects associated with these dental restoration options.
Some benefits patients receive when they choose the Miami All-on-4 dental implant procedure to replace their missing teeth:
- The patient’s treatment process is fast and efficient.
- After the procedure, the patient has a beautiful, gleaming smile.
- The patient’s oral health improves, which positively affects his or her overall well-being.
- After recovering from dental implant surgery in Miami, the patient can chew more effectively, which improves the body’s ability to digest food.
- The patient can once again eat the foods he or she loves.
- The recovery period is short, with minimal discomfort.
- With proper care, All-on-4 dental implants can last a lifetime.
- The patient’s speech is clearer.
Negative aspects of the conventional denture or partial:
- The prosthesis can shift and slip.
- As time passes, the jawbone deteriorates and the prosthesis no longer fits properly. This results in the need to reline or rebase the denture. Many times, people choose to bypass these professional options and just use some type of dental adhesive to hold their denture or partial in place. These adhesives can be messy and difficult to remove from the gingival tissue.
- As the jawbone deteriorates, the cheeks begin to sink in, which can add years to an individual’s face.
What Causes the Jawbone To Deteriorate?
To remain healthy, the jawbone needs to be stimulated. The roots of the teeth are responsible for stimulating the bone. Therefore, once the roots are no longer present, stimulation ceases and the body begins to resorb the bone.
Do Dental Implants Stop Jawbone Deterioration?
Yes, once the dental implants are in place and the osseointegration process begins, reabsorption stops because the implants start to stimulate the jawbone.
Some Patients Choose a Removable Implant-Supported Denture or Partial
If a patient’s denture or partial is permanently affixed, Dr. Bana needs to remove the prosthesis in the office. However, if a patient prefers, Ramon Bana, DDS, can make an implant-supported denture or partial removable.
What Are the Benefits of Implant-Supported Partials and Dentures?
Implants stabilize dentures and partials, which eliminates the need to use glue to keep them in place. In addition, patients can feel confident that their prostheses will remain in place while they eat and as they speak.
An implant-supported prosthesis provides patients with beautiful, natural-looking teeth that feel completely natural. Moreover, good dental hygiene and continued care can make dental implants last a lifetime.
Miami Dental Restoration Using the All-On-4 Procedure
Dr. Ramon Bana is able to complete some dental restorations within 24 hours. But, the length of a patient’s dental implant treatment depends on his or her oral health and bone strength.
A patient who needs additional procedures (e.g., a bone graft) to prepare his or her mouth for dental implant placement will require a treatment time that is longer than 24 hours. Still, even those who require presurgical treatments can complete their smile makeover in just a few months.
Who Is a Good Candidate for an All-on-4 Dental Implant Procedure in Miami?
The All-on-4 procedure can be an outstanding option for people interested in a permanent dental restoration solution.
Good candidates for dental implants are:
- People who are living without teeth on one or both arches.
- People missing multiple teeth on the same arch.
- Individuals whose remaining teeth are severely damaged. In this case, Dr. Bana removes the damaged teeth, replacing them with four dental implants and a prosthesis. Men and women who currently wear dentures. Since dentures only sit on top of the gums, the jawbone does not receive stimulation. Without stimulation, the bone begins to deteriorate. Just like the natural roots, dental implants stimulate the bone. Thus, preventing its deterioration.
- Patients who are missing a full arch of teeth, but still have healthy gums and a strong, mature jawbone.
What May Disqualify an Individual From Being a Good Candidate for an All-On-4 Procedure in Miami?
Men and women with gum disease or a deteriorated jawbone typically require additional procedures to prepare for dental implant surgery. Therefore, initially, these individuals may be disqualified from receiving All-on-4 dental implants. Nevertheless, once Ramon Bana, DDS, prepares the patient’s mouth, he or she may become a more suitable candidate for surgery.
Other health issues that may disqualify an individual from candidacy for dental implants in Miami:
- Diabetes (1 and 2).
- Some type of bleeding disorder.
- Smoking.
- Pregnancy.
- Radiation treatments to the face (current or previous).
- An immature jawbone.
- Poor health.
- Recreational drug use.
- Drinking alcoholic beverages on a regular basis.
Can Someone Who Has Been Without Teeth for Years Receive Dental Implants?
There are patients who are eligible for dental implants even if they have been without teeth or worn a traditional denture or partial for years. However, additional treatments or procedures may be necessary to prepare his or her mouth for implant surgery.
How Does Dr. Bana Determine if a Patient Is a Suitable Candidate for All-On-4 Dental Implants?
At his office in Miami, Dr. Ramon Bana examines the patient’s mouth to determine if the All-on-4 method is a feasible option for his or her smile restoration.
At this initial consultation, Dr. Bana evaluates the strength of the patient’s jawbone and the health of his or her gum tissue. In addition, Ramon Bana, DDS, may want the patient to have an in-office panoramic X-ray.
Furthermore, he may take 3D digital images inside the patient’s mouth. These images allow Dr. Bana to assess the patient’s sinuses and jawbone, which helps him determine if additional treatments are necessary to prepare for dental implant placement. These presurgical treatments may include a ridge expansion, a sinus lift or bone grafting. Dr. Bana discusses any potential presurgical treatments with the patient during the initial consultation.
Patients who do not require presurgical treatments may be eligible to receive their implants using the All-on-4 method right away.
At the Initial Consultation, What Type of Information Does Dr. Ramon Bana Need From the Patient?
To determine if a patient is a viable candidate for an All-on-4 dental implant procedure in Miami, Dr. Bana needs to review his or her medical history.
Information patients need to provide at their initial consultation for dental implants in Miami:
- Current medical conditions.
- Allergies (e.g., medications, latex).
- Previous medical conditions.
- Prescription medications and the reason they are being taken.
- Herbal supplements.
- Surgical procedures.
- Life choices (e.g., tobacco use, recreational drug use and alcohol consumption).
Sometimes, as long as the patient receives presurgical clearance from his or her general practitioner, even a patient with pre-existing conditions may be deemed a suitable candidate for dental implants using the All-on-4 method.
During the initial consultation, Ramon Bana, DDS, and his staff encourage patients to ask questions. Additionally, if a patient has specific concerns, he or she should feel free to discuss these with Dr. Bana. Many patients find it helpful to make a list of their questions to bring with them to their first consultation.
A Custom Treatment Plan For All-On-4 Dental Implants in Miami
If a patient is a good candidate for tooth restoration using four dental implants, and decides to move forward with treatment, Dr. Ramon Bana creates a custom-designed, dental implant treatment plan. This plan details the places where he intends to insert the implants, as well as the type of dental prosthesis the patient is to receive.
How Many Visits Does It Take To Complete the All-On-4 Dental Implant Smile Restoration Process?
The preferences and needs of a patient determine the number of visits he or she requires to complete the full tooth restoration process.
What Should Patients Do To Prepare for Their Miami Dental Implant Procedure?
Patients need to purchase a couple of freezable gel packs to use after surgery. These gel packs are typically available at local pharmacies. Since the gel packs need to be ready for use on the day of surgery, they must be placed in the freezer right away.
Patients receiving local anesthesia with IV sedation (i.e., twilight anesthesia) have to refrain from consuming foods and beverages for at least eight hours before their scheduled dental implant surgery.
Patients who are to receive local anesthesia in conjunction with laughing gas (i.e., nitrous oxide) or oral sedation need not fast before their dental implant procedure with Dr. Bana in Miami.
Also, patients who are receiving oral sedation, twilight anesthesia or nitrous oxide are unable to drive following the implant procedure. Therefore, patients need to bring a licensed driver with them on the day of their All-on-4 implant surgery in Miami.
Can a Patient Use For-Hire Transportation on the Day of Their Dental Implant Surgery?
For safety’s sake, patients are not permitted to use any form of for-hire transportation on the day of surgery.
All-On-4 Dental Implant Surgery in Miami
Once the patient is comfortable, the dental implant procedure begins.
If a patient has teeth that require extraction, Ramon Bana, DDS, performs this procedure before placing the patient’s implants. After removing these teeth, he may also need to prepare the gingival tissue (i.e., gums) for placement of his or her dental prosthesis.
A 3D view of the patient’s jaw helps Dr. Bana determine the best location for implant placement. His goal is to insert the patient’s four dental implants in a location that will successfully secure the prosthesis and decrease the discomfort he or she experiences during the recovery process.
Dr. Ramon Bana creates a small incision in the patient’s gum tissue. This incision exposes the jawbone.
He uses special tools to strategically create an opening in the bone.
Dr. Bana inserts the implant into the patient’s jawbone. This implant is small and looks much like an ordinary screw. As time passes, osseointegration causes these artificial roots (i.e., the implants) to become part of the jawbone. These implants stimulate the patient’s jawbone, which stops the deterioration process.
Ramon Bana, DDS, continues the All-on-4 dental implant surgery for patients who are having their entire smile restoration procedure during a single surgical session. Patients who are ineligible for implant placement during one surgical session will have the following steps performed at a later date.
Once he places the four implants, Dr. Bana attaches small connectors (i.e., abutments) to the top of each implant.
Dr. Ramon Bana closes the gingival tissue directly above the implant.
He attaches an arch of artificial teeth that consist of porcelain over the abutments. The prosthesis a patient leaves the office wearing may be a temporary one. The patient wears this temporary prosthesis until Dr. Bana places his or her permanent one.
Temporary prostheses make it possible for patients to leave the office with a full arch of teeth on the day of their implant procedure.
Ramon Bana, DDS, determines when patients are ready to receive their permanent prostheses.
At the patient’s final appointment, Dr. Bana removes the temporary prosthesis, so he can attach the patient’s custom-tailored dental prosthesis. This prosthesis may be affixed permanently or removable.
How Long Does It Take To Recover From an All-On-4 Dental Implant Procedure in Miami?
Recovery following this procedure is relatively short, lasting only a couple of weeks, some patients recover within seven days. However, the bonding process between the jawbone and the implant takes from three to six months.
What To Expect While Recovering From a Miami All-On-4 Dental Implant Surgery
Dr. Ramon Bana provides each patient with aftercare instructions. Typical instructions include refraining from rinsing the mouth, spitting and touching the surgical sites.
During the 48 hours following surgery, it is common for patients to experience swelling in their cheeks. Ice therapy can help alleviate this inflammation.
The ice therapy treatment protocol:
- Take a gel ice pack out of the freezer.
- Wrap the pack with a washcloth or hand towel.
- Hold the frozen gel pack against the cheek for approximately 20 minutes. Be gentle, avoid placing excess pressure on the area.
- Return the gel pack to the freezer.
- Patients can perform ice therapy again 30 minutes later.
Dr. Bana recommends that his patients use cold therapy as much as possible for the initial 48 hours after their surgery.
The patient’s gingival tissue will most likely be redder than usual and bleeding. These post-surgical symptoms continue for about 24 hours.
To remain comfortable, there are certain foods and beverages that patients must refrain from following their All-on-4 dental implant procedure.
For several days, patients should avoid:
- Hot foods.
- Hot liquids.
During their first few days of recovery, patients should consume soft foods:
- Applesauce.
- Oatmeal.
- Cream of Wheat.
- Scrambled eggs.
- Pudding.
- Gelatin.
- Mashed potatoes.
For several weeks following their tooth restoration procedure in Miami, patients need to refrain from eating:
- Chewy foods.
- Spicy foods.
- Hard and crunchy foods.
How Should Patients Care For Their Miami Dental Implants?
The care necessary for dental implants and a prosthesis is nearly identical to the daily routine for natural teeth.
How to care for dental implants and a prosthesis:
Using a non-abrasive toothpaste and a soft-bristle toothbrush, patients should gently brush their dental prosthesis twice a day. These tooth brushing sessions should last for two minutes. Patients who have a removable denture or partial should remove their prosthesis to clean it, gently brushing their gum tissue to remove food debris.
While brushing, to remove plaque buildup along the gum line, patients with permanently affixed prostheses need to angle the bristles of the brush toward their gum line.
Gel toothpastes tend to be the least abrasive. Therefore, patients should use a gel toothpaste that does not contain ingredients that could scratch their dental prostheses (e.g., peroxide, baking soda). In addition, whitening toothpastes should be avoided. If a patient wants to whiten his or her prosthesis, Ramon Bana, DDS, may be able to help.
Flossing daily is essential to maintaining Miami All-on-4 dental implants. While some patients who have implant-supported dentures and partials can remove their prosthesis for cleaning, those who have an implant-secured prostheses need to use a floss that can be threaded between the gingival tissue and prosthesis. Another option for cleaning between the gums and prosthesis is a water flosser.
Patients need to continue having their biannual exams and professional cleanings.
4 tips patients can use to prevent implant and prosthesis damage:
- Patients should avoid biting directly into foods like carrots and apples, they should cut these foods up instead.
- Patients must not open packages, chew on pens or ice, or bite their fingernails because these actions can damage their implants and their prostheses.
- Since excessive alcohol consumption can negatively affect oral health, patients should avoid consuming large amounts of alcohol.
- Patients must not use products that contain nicotine (e.g., cigarettes, chewing tobacco).
How Long Will All-On-4 Dental Implants in Miami Last?
If patients care for their dental implants properly, their smile restoration can last them the rest of their life.
What Are the Risks Associated With Dental Implant Procedures?
Every surgical procedure has the potential for complications. However, patients can reduce their risk of a complication by choosing a highly experienced dentist to place their implants. Dr. Bana is a cosmetic dentist in Miami with extensive experience performing dental implant procedures.
What Can a Patient Expect an All-On-4 Dental Implant Procedure in Miami To Cost?
Dr. Ramon Bana knows that every patient is unique, which is why he takes the time to create personalized treatment plans that specifically address a patient’s needs. As such, an initial consultation is the only way that he can determine a patient’s cost for a Miami dental implant procedure.
If you are in the Miami area and think that you may be a viable candidate for the All-on-4 dental implant procedure, contact Dr. Bana’s office today. He and his staff provide each patient with high quality, personalized dental care. Schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Ramon Bana today by calling (305) 857-3731. The office of Ramon Bana, DDS, is located at 2461 Coral Way in Miami.
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