Testimonial - Alex
This has changed my dental health as well as my personal confidence immeasurably, and given me a terrific new permanent smile....
My name is Alex. I am 63 years old, and on the 21st of March 2010, I gave myself a birthday present. I committed to having the "All on 4 - Teeth in a Day" procedure carried out on my upper jaw at the Minuk Denture Clinic and Dental Implant Centre in Winnipeg.
I had worn a full upper denture since 1975 with replacements from time to time with no appreciable problems. From 2001 to the date I committed to the "All on 4" procedure, I had 3 new upper dentures made, and every one resulted in a fitting problem. There were several reasons for these issues, but the shrinking of my upper jawbone was the primary concern.
In 2007, I looked into other implant procedures. All required me to have an upper jawbone graft since mine had shrunk, making the jaw very marginal to accept the implant anchors. This would require about 6 months for the bone graft to bind, and if that proved successful, the implant anchors could be inserted, with a further 6 months or so for these to set in place in the jawbone before the actual denture could be applied. This was a very time consuming choice and would be more expensive overall since the bone graft would be additional cost.
This entire process would have taken in excess of a year before the matching denture could be inserted, plus there were no guarantees since the bone graft was NOT assured. Because of this I declined implants at that time.
In mid 2009, I went to Minuk Clinic in Winnipeg, MB to allow them an opportunity to evaluate my problem. Minuk Clinic is well respected in Winnipeg for their high level of professionalism and attention to the minutest of detail. They suggested a new approach, the "All on 4 - Teeth in a Day" dental implant procedure pioneered in Canada by Dr. Steven Bongard of the Chrysalis Dental Centre in Toronto. Minuk Clinic's staff took the time to explain this new "All on 4" process would be done by Dr. Bongard and Dr. Jim Wener, with the best part being that all work would be carried out in One Day.
After much review on my part, and talking with Dr. Bongard at length, as well as speaking with other patients who already had their implants for some time, I underwent the "All on 4" procedure. In the space of about 5 hours I had the 4 implant anchors in place, the teeth were completed and screwed into place, AND I had lunch; a bowl of Joe Minuk's world famous home-made Matzah ball soup. Yes, I was eating with my new, just fitted "All on 4" implant teeth. The picture you see here of my new smile was taken immediately after my implants were placed.
That same evening, I went out for dinner and had chicken fettuccine alfredo with my just fitted "All on 4" implant teeth.
For the next few days I had to take it easy with what I ate, usually something that was easily chewed without putting too much pressure on the new denture. Over time I found I was eating and chewing "normally."
As I write this, it has been 6 months since the procedure, and I can quite freely state that I am completely satisfied with my just fitted "All on 4" smile. This has changed my dental health as well as my personal confidence immeasurably, and given me a terrific new permanent smile.
Alex
