Dental Implants

Teeth-In-An-Hour™

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Traditional implant therapy involves reflecting the gum tissue, placing dental implants and waiting 3-6 months for healing. Then the teeth are made and attached to the implants. Teeth-in-an-Hour™ is a revolutionary technology that allows for the teeth to be made before the surgery is done.

Computerized treatment planning and 3-D CAD-CAM design make this possible. A 3 dimensional dentascan is made of the patients jaw as well as their existing denture. This information is fed into a computer and the case if planned. The surgery is done virtually on the computer and CAD-CAM technology is used to make a model of what the patients jaw and implant position will be after the implants are placed. This information is transferred to the dental laboratory who makes the bridge.

A CAD-CAM guide is made that is placed in the patients mouth at the time of implant placement. This guide allows for implant to be placed in the positions determined during the virtual surgery. Because Dr. Scharf has done the surgery "virtually" on the computer, the implants can be placed without opening the gum tissue. Once the implants are placed the prefabricated bridge is attached.

The procedure only takes about an hour and involves no flaps or stitching.

The advantages of Teeth-in-an-Hour™ are that it is flapless, fast, and accurate. There is minimal swelling and virtually painless. The drawbacks are that the patient must have mass extractions done prior to the surgery. They must have enough bone to support the restoration and they must be able to open their mouths wide enough to accommodate the instrumentation.

Dr. Scharf is experienced in Teeth-in-an-Hour™ and can help you decide if this is right for you.