Two Board-Certified prosthodontists from a world-recognized Philadelphia-area research facility and practice have been selected to present the results of the dental profession's most advanced implant procedure at a major East Coast symposium in October.
Thomas J. Balshi, DDS, FACP and Glenn J. Wolfinger, DMD, FACP, partners with the Fort Washington practice of Prosthodontics Intermedica (PI), will speak on their success with their trademarked "Teeth In A Day" procedure on Saturday, October 6 at the Second Annual Temple University School of Dentistry Periodontal Symposium at the Adams Mark Hotel.
Combining Prosthodontics Intermedica's team dentistry approach with Branemark implants from Nobel Biocare, "Teeth in a Day" has been recognized as the first procedure that enables patients to enjoy the benefits of fixed replacement teeth in a single office visit, rather than following a three- to six-month healing period. Prosthodontics Intermedica has performed complete "Teeth In A Day" procedures in as little as four hours, a time efficiency unmatched by any other dental practice nationwide.
In their presentation, Drs. Balshi and Wolfinger will outline the practice's success since initiating the procedure, noting that the procedure has been refined to necessitate fewer dental implants, reducing time and cost for the patient. They will present evidence from a clinical study that demonstrates conclusively that edentulous patients enjoy success rates that are similar to those patients who have implants "loaded" in the traditional fashion.
The most extensive effort of its kind, the study reviewed 28 patient cases involving a total of 144 immediately loaded implants between March, 1997 and March, 2000. Based on success with a previous study group, Prosthodontics Intermedica placed between four and eight implants per patient and fitted them with a temporary acrylic prosthesis which remained fastened throughout the three-month healing period. The procedure has resulted in a survival rate of 93.75%, or 135 of the 144 immediately loaded implants. More important, all 28 prostheses have been successful. The study can be found at www.dentalimplants-usa/insights/insight599/insight8.html.
The following timeline from an actual case offers a clearer understanding of how efficiently the procedure can work:
Noon - Initial visit and new patient evaluation, including impressions, bite registration and radiographic examination. Discussion of treatment options.
1 p.m. - Presentation of treatment plan and fees.
1:30 p.m. Laboratory fabrication of new immediate upper and lower prostheses. Review of informed consents for extractions and implants. Administration of local anesthesia.
2 p.m. - Extraction of teeth and thorough curretage.
2:30 p.m. - Surgical placement of eight Branemark implants and abutments (mandibular).
3 p.m. - Hard reline of maxillary complete denture.
3:30 p.m. - Initial connection of immediate lower prosthesis ("conversion prosthesis") to implants. Laboratory work to finish lower conversion prosthesis. Application of ice to face.
5 p.m. - Delivery of upper and lower provisional restorations and adjustments.
6 p.m. - Patient leaves office with new non-removable mandibular teeth and an esthetic maxillary denture.
Drs. Wolfinger and Balshi, both Diplomates of the American Board of Prosthodontics, pioneered the "Teeth in a Day" concept in 1993. Since the second study, they have done more than four dozen additional "Teeth In A Day" cases. The doctors present the "Teeth In a Day" concept at healthcare conferences around the world, as well as instruct both specialists and general dentists at their care center in Fort Washington, Pa.
Prosthodontics Intermedica specializes in the reconstruction of missing, periodontally hopeless and severely decayed teeth. The practice offers such traditional solutions as crowns, bridges and dentures, but focuses on the Branemark System of dental implants, a procedure that enables patients once again to enjoy non-removable teeth. The Fort Washington center is a major source of research information about dental implants (http://www.dentalimplants-usa.com).
