Dental Implants at Our St. Louis County Office

An Excellent Option for Tooth Replacement

Located in Eureka, Missouri, Dr. Griffin has successfully placed and restored hundreds of dental implants for almost 20 years. Dr. Griffin has utilized implant dentistry to help restore the smiles of patients from Eureka, Kirkwood, Fenton, Chesterfield, and throughout St. Louis County.

Dental implants and restorations are a terrific choice for replacing missing teeth or anchoring loose dentures or partials and can provide a natural and comfortable way to improve a patients bite, smile, and confidence. After examination, medical and dental history, radiographs, and photos, Dr. Griffin will determine if implants are right for you.

A dental implants is a surgical grade, titanium post that is shaped like a tooth root. They are placed under the gums where the tooth was originally and then allowed to integrate into the patients jaw before being used to replace teeth or anchor dentures. The placement is usually simply done with local anesthetic and the procedure is often described as being less traumatic than a tooth extraction. There is seldom much pain or discomfort involved. Patients are often surprised at how easy the procedure is.

The implant is allowed to incorporate into the jaw, integration, and allowed to heal for several weeks depending upon the jaw structure and other factors. They are uncovered after that healing time with a very simple procedure. The inside of the implant body is hollow with threads. These inside threads allow an abutment or post to be screwed to it without the need for anesthetic or pain.

A ceramic or metal abutment is placed, impressions taken, and sent to a ceramist for tooth fabrication. For some cases, the tooth can be made in one day with the CEREC porcelain system allowing insertion of the crown on the appointment the post is placed.. On top of this a tooth is custom made to match the shade and shape of the teeth. If cosmetic changes are desired, we will plan to enhance those teeth around the implant.

The result is often a tooth that is as secure and esthetic as the original tooth. Implants have over a 95% success rate. Poor hygiene, smoking, certain medical conditions, trauma, grinding, and clenching are some of the factors that may lead to implant failure. Dr Griffin and his staff will review these with you and determine the possible influence of these in your case.

Today's dental implants give us choices that we didn't have until a few years ago. We now can successfully replace missing or lost teeth with implants and porcelain teeth that are natural looking, solid, and predictable.

 

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Implants Can Provide Denture Stability

A very popular use for dental implants is to anchor loose complete or partial dentures. Many of our patients from Eureka, Kirkwood, Fenton, Chesterfield, and throughout St. Louis County request this service after struggling for years with loose, poor fitting, or moving denture. These implants can restore the confidence, biting efficiency, and eating security often lost when dentures are placed.

There are many choices for denture and partial anchoring which will be discussed at your consultation appointment depending upon your particular needs and situation. The newer anchors allow the denture to "snap" into place and provide a feeling of stability difficult to achieve with traditional dentures.

We work with several different types of implants and will considering many options before recommending a particular treatment. Whether using very small MINI dental implants (MID's) or standard sized implants, we can give security with implants that is impossible to achieve with a denture alone. Most patients who experience the stability that implants give their denture wonder how they functioned without them before!

The implants are placed under the tissues where the tooth roots were originally located. After proper healing, abutments are placed on top of the implants and then attachments are placed inside the denture. The result is a new solid stable feel that will leave you with a confidence you cannot get any other way with a denture.

With partials, we can use implants for stability and do away with unsightly metal clasps that are usually needed to hold partials in. This results in a much more natural appearance by using special attachments to help secure the teeth instead.

 

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Dental Implant Expectations at Our Eureka Office

Implants can provide many years of service whether replacing missing teeth or anchoring dentures or partials, however commitment to care must be accepted by the patient. Proper cleaning daily by the patient at home and follow up by the hygienist and dental staff once or twice a year is critical to long term success. Medical conditions such as diabetes, hormone, or conditions where the bodies defense mechanisms are compromised may affect the implant survival. Smoking, clenching of the jaws, teeth grinding, and other habits must be controlled for optimum implant success.

Having successfully served the implant dentistry needs of our patients from Eureka, Kirkwood, Fenton, Chesterfield, and throughout St. Louis County, our team is committed to making your implant experience a great one! Please call for an appointment or contact our Eureka office through this website to discuss these wonderful advancements in dentistry and see what you are missing!

 

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Smile in a day by Dr Griffin

All-on-4 implant system

Do you have a denture and don't like the un-natural fit and feel? Are you loosing all of your teeth and want a natural replacement that is anchored in place? Dr. Griffin's Smile in a Day procedure uses the All-on-4 dental implant technique developed by Nobel Biocare®. It is the optimal solution for those who have dentures or patients who are about to lose all of their upper and/or lower teeth. With this procedure, you can come as close to having a new set of permanent teeth as is currently possible.

Those who replace their dentures with All-on-4 dental implants will never have to remove their replacement teeth again for cleaning because their new teeth can be cleaned and maintained similarly to a natural set of teeth. With the All-on-4 system you will never experience the crippling effects of poor fitting dentures, being unable to eat the foods you enjoy, dealing with messy adhesives, taking your teeth out at night, the embarrassment of dentures falling out during speech or smiling, or the bad breath associated with wearing dentures.

All-on-Four Dental Implants Technique

The "All-on-4 Dental Implant Procedure "normally uses four special implants (Nobel Biocare®) developed for immediate placement of teeth. The back implants are angulated to take maximum advantage of existing bone without the need for bone grafting. This treatment is attractive to those with dentures or in need of full upper and/or lower restorations.

With the All-on-4 Procedure, qualified patients receive just four implants and a full set of new replacement teeth in just one appointment-without bone grafts! Permanent implants are placed in areas of quality bone so that patients can leave the same day with fixed, non-removable replacement teeth.

The teeth placed at the time of implant placement are "transitional" and will be replaced with a more durable prosthesis after the implants are fully integrated in 4-6 months. A patients existing denture can often be used for these transitional teeth making the adjustment period minimal. These teeth are very durable and should provide many years of comfortable chewing and smiling!

With the All-on-4 procedure our fees include gentle oral sedation that assures each patient maximum safety and comfort throughout the procedure. In most cases the entire process, including any necessary extractions, can be completed in one day with minimal recovery time. The result is a fully functional set of teeth that looks and feels natural, enhances self-confidence and allows individuals to once again experience the foods and activities they enjoy most.

Benefits with All-on-Four

• Requires minimal recovery time often returning to work the next day
• Reduces overall cost when compared to single implants
• Eliminates the need for bone grafting, in most cases
• Allows for easy maintenance through proper oral hygiene
• Restores the ability to eat all types of foods
• Relieves the many frustrations of removable appliances
• Ensures long-term results with the potential to last a lifetime
• Renews a youthful appearance through bone level stabilization
• Creates a whole new smile in just one day
• Enhances self-confidence and overall quality of life

Our fees are a "package" and include all steps of the "All-on-4" procedure except for extraction of teeth. We are confident that the "All-on-4" system is a great way to anchor a denture and to provide a level of comfort and confidence not seen with regular dentures. It is a great investment in your overall well being.

The All-on-4 implant system one of many different ways we have of securing a denture. With over 20 years of implant placement and restoration experience, we will find a plan to fit your needs and desires. We would love to spend so time talking to you about what we can do for you with dental implants.

Please call our office for a complimentary consultation.