Few patients would choose to lose all of the upper or lower teeth. Unfortunately, due to trauma, disease, and other circumstances, complete tooth loss is a common occurrence in our society. Although dentures have been a popular choice for tooth replacement for hundreds of years, the introduction and success of dental implants has changed the way we now address tooth loss.
Patients who have lost all of the upper or lower teeth are choosing a procedure known as All-on-Four in Chicago as an impressive alternative to traditional. poorly fitting dentures. Instead of a removable denture that is designed to rest directly on the delicate gum tissue, our highly experienced dual-degree Chicago oral surgeon can design a denture that is fully supported by permanent dental implants.
The All-on-Four technique is based on the concept that four strategically placed dental implants can support an entire complete upper or lower denture. The dental implants are fully integrated with the jaw bone for long-term durability, strength, and support. Once the denture has been anchored to the implant, patients can enjoy more comfortable chewing and speaking, with the confidence that the denture and implants will never shift or slide out of place. The denture will not rub or irritate the gum tissue, and does not need to be removed for normal oral hygiene.
Typically, your oral surgeon can complete the All-on-Four procedure in a single visit, and patients can function with chewing within a day. This procedure has been proven to be tremendously successful (90% success rate) for patients who have suffered significant bone loss as well as tooth loss, and for patients who may not have been candidates for traditional implant procedures.
The advantages of the All-on-Four procedure as compared to the traditional denture are impressive. Obtaining a strong, attractive, and complete set of teeth in one day with no worries about gum irritation or instability can be extremely rewarding. In fact, simply having teeth that fit well and function well can have an immeasurable impact on the quality of your life.
Scheduling an appointment to discuss the All-on-Four procedure with our oral surgeon serving Chicago IL 60616 is the only way to find out if this treatment is right for you. Call ORA® Oral Surgery & Implant Studio at 312.328.9000 for your consultation today.
ORA® Oral Surgery & Implant Studio, a Chicago Loop oral surgery practice specializing in dental implants, All-on-4, wisdom teeth removal, and a wide range of jaw and oral surgery procedures, is pleased to announce that it is one of only a select few dental facilities within Chicago to have an i-CAT 3D Cone Beam CT Scanner within its practice.
Online PR News – 19-December-2011 –Chicago, IL – ORA® Oral Surgery & Implant Studio, a Chicago Loop oral surgery practice specializing in dental implants, All-on-4, wisdom teeth removal, and a wide range of jaw and oral surgery procedures, is pleased to announce that it is one of only a select few dental facilities within Chicago to have an i-CAT 3D Cone Beam CT Scannerwithin its practice. This advanced technology offers complete views of all oral structures, allowing Dr. Steven Koos, a Chicago oral surgeon and owner of ORA®, as well as his staff, to dramatically enhance the level of care offered to patients.
The i-CAT 3D Cone Beam CT Scanner provides dental professionals with an immediate three dimensional image of a patient’s critical anatomy without the typical distortion and magnification seen with traditional plan film images. This gives dentists, oral surgeons and other dental professionals the opportunity to more thoroughly analyze a patient’s tooth orientation, bone structure, wisdom teeth, TMJ joint spaces, periodontal conditions, root fractures and root canals, and maxillary sinuses and airways. It eliminates the guesswork that is present when clinicians use older plain film technology and makes it easier to evaluate deformities and pathologies, and the 3D mapping tools are crucial for implant dentistry. In addition to the enhanced images provided by the i-CAT CT scanner, the technology and equipment increases patient comfort by providing open environment seating and a quicker scan time (as little as nine seconds!). It also produces dramatically lower radiation compared to traditional CT scans.
“We have invested in the i-CAT 3D Cone Beam CT Scanner for our practice for a number of reasons,” explains Chicago implant dentist and oral surgeon, Dr. Koos. “For one, it allows us to more thoroughly analyze a patient’s anatomy to determine the best course of treatment. The technology also affords us the opportunity to visually show a patient what we see and more easily explain treatment. This increases confidence levels in patients and makes them feel more comfortable with their treatment. Finally, as a Chicago oral surgery practice focused on environmental responsibility that spans all aspects of how we operate our practice, the fact that the i-CAT scanner is digital, forgoing toxic x-ray chemicals and film manufacturing and emits dramatically lower radiation compared to other CT scanners was of supreme importance to us.”
In fact, ORA® Oral Surgery & Implant Studio has been recognized within Chicago and nationwide for its commitment to environmental responsibility. The practice has received numerous awards due to its eco-friendly dentistry practices and is touted as a leader among the dental and oral surgery community for its green initiatives. From how the Chicago Loop oral surgery office is decorated to the types of equipment and procedures utilized in the day-to-day operation of the practice, Dr. Koos and his staff are focused on making the most environmentally friendly choices for their patients, for themselves and for the environment as a whole. “The i-CAT scanner fits into our eco-friendly model of dentistry reducing our carbon footprint, while offering numerous additional benefits for us as practitioners and for our patients,” says Dr. Koos. “In my book, that’s a win-win situation for all.”
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ORA® Oral Surgery & Implant Studio is an oral surgery practice in the Chicago Loop neighborhood owned by Dr. Steven Koos. Dr. Koos and his entire staff are committed to operating an environmentally friendly practice that specializes in all aspects of oral surgery and implant dentistry. The i-CAT 3D scanner is just one element of ORA® ‘s dedication to offering the highest level of patient care and they are one of the few dental practices throughout Chicago to utilize this state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment. For more information about the oral and jaw surgery procedures offered at ORA® Oral Surgery & Implant Studio, or to find out more about ORA® ‘s commitment to environmental sustainability and how that benefits patients, visit http://orasurgery.com.
This is the first of a three part series on real life examples of how having your wisdom teeth extracted can actually be a fun experience. Wisdom teeth removal can sometimes be a daunting experience for some, especially if you are the type of person that dislikes any trip to the dentist, let alone a dental surgery visit to the oral and maxillofacial surgeon. But rest assured, that with comfortable, safe sedation and a skillfully trained surgical team like at ORA, the procedure will be quite easy to endure. In fact, many patients are amazed that they feel nothing, remember nothing and when they wake up, some even refuse to believe that the extraction of their impacted wisdom teeth is over.
Many amusing videos have been filmed by family members and friends of their loved ones during the oral surgery experience and recovery period. Many of these have been posted on Youtube. The Ellen Show has taken a liking to the whole “enjoyable wisdom tooth experience” and the initial post anesthesia hilarity, so much so, that she has even featured several segments dedicated to this topic. Ellen has even invited these oral surgery patients onto her show for an interview to share their funny experiences with all of America.
The team at ORA Oral Surgery & Implant Studio in Chicago wanted to share this segment with you to demonstrate what “Unicorns and the Land of Blueberries” have in common with getting your impacted wisdom teeth taken out!
ORA® Oral Surgery & Implant Studio is a 5,000 square foot state-of-the art, fully green practice located in the heart of Chicago’s thriving South Loop. Dr. Steven Koos, DDS, MD, who is a Patient’s Choice Award recipient, and Dr. Brian Shah, DDS, MD are two of a select few “dual-degree” oral and maxillofacial surgeons in the nation who have obtained both dental and medical degrees. Their extensive education, training, and experience makes them true experts in all phases of oral and maxillofacial surgery, however, their collective primary practice focus is dental implants, bone augmentation (grafting), wisdom teeth extraction, sleep apnea and snoring treatment, orthognathic surgery, facial and oral trauma, twilight, conscious sedation, moderate sedation, deep sedation and general anesthesia.
Dr. Koos and Dr. Shah have attended the leading dental and medical schools in the country and were at the top of their graduating class (Harvard University School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Northwestern University Dental School, and The Ohio State School of Dentistry).
See the unparalleled training and scope of practice that oral & maxillofacial surgeons undertake. This is a full length, in-depth, interesting video that has been produced by the AAOMS – American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, which chronicles the comprehensive training that Dr. Steven Koos DDS, MD and Dr. Brain Shah DDS, MD have completed and offer their patients on a daily basis at ORA Oral Surgery & Implant Studio of Chicago, Illinois.
For patients in Chicago considering dental surgery, selecting a skilled oral surgeon is only a portion of the challenge. Selecting an oral surgeon who is concerned with your safety and comfort and one who utilizes cutting-edge technology can really make the difference in the outcome of your procedure.
During a surgical procedure, an oral surgeon is faced with many important concerns. Addressing your surgical needs in an efficient and safe manner is a high priority. Using the most minimally invasive techniques and preserving as much of your anatomy as possible should also be a top concern. The level of care that is provided in the surgical setting can directly influence your level of post-operative discomfort as well as the speed of your healing.
Often times, access to state of the art dental surgery equipment can improve an oral surgeon’s accuracy and efficiency during a given procedure. These advantages translate into speedier and less stressful procedures for both the patient and the surgeon. The appropriate equipment can also improve your comfort and safety both during and after the procedure.
The Piezosurgery technology is an example of the type of advanced dental surgery equipment that can significantly improve the outcome of your procedure. Utilizing controlled, ultrasound microvibrations, Dr. Steven Koos, your Chicago oral surgeon, can reduce bone down to microscopic levels without generating damaging heat and without injuring adjacent the soft tissue – something that traditional rotary bur dental surgery devices can not accomplish. By using precise measurements and a high level of control, surgical stress is significantly minimized.
This revolutionary technology can be used for a wide range of surgical procedures involving the bone. This includes, but is not limited to:
The predictability and precision of the Piezosurgery dental surgery system make it a favorite among advanced oral surgeons like Stven Koos DDS, MD, as well as his patients. Following the use of the Piezosurgery technology, patients can enjoy less swelling and less discomfort because there is a drastic reduction in hard tissue trauma as compared to the traditional dental drill.
Dr. Koos feels that your degree of post-operative comfort is an important aspect of the success of your dental surgery and overall experience. To learn more about how Piezosurgery technology can improve the outcome of your treatment, contact our Chicago IL oral surgery practice to schedule your appointment.
Generally speaking most of us seem to be more prone to writing about a negative or unpleasant experience than to take time and give praise for a positive one, a job well done. I am no different than most but today however I will write about something positive. A positive experience which I feel must be shared.
I have been a patient of ORA Studios for several years and generally have all my exams, cleanings and related care performed at their West Loop and Gold Coast offices with Dr. Mladen Kral. I find their staff to be very pleasant as well as professional and I also enjoy the laid back atmosphere at the offices. I have had many visits for annual exams, cleanings as well as whitenings and fillings. Most recently I had an extraction and an implant done by Dr. Steven Koos at ORA Oral Surgery & Implant Studio in the South Loop.
I was originally referred to Dr. Koos and by Dr. Kral after an examination there revealed a vertical crack in the root of a tooth, which simply could not be permanently repaired and the tooth had to be extracted. Dr. Koos, the oral surgeon, was highly recommended for this extraction.
Upon my arrival to ORA Oral Surgery & Implant Studio, my initial thought was how nice the space was. It was clean, stylish and very comfortable. It didn’t feel like a dental office. The staff was very friendly and I was in the OR as soon as the appropriate paperwork was completed. I have to be honest and tell you that I did struggle with some “extraction anxiety” at first but after some clear answers and guidance by Dr. Koos and his staff, my reservations quickly dissolved.
The extraction was both quick and painless, even though it was a difficult tooth to pull out. I think I was in and out of the office within about 30 to 45 minutes and all I took for the pain after was Ibuprofen. The site healed quickly and I experienced no complications.
Two weeks ago I came back to Dr. Koos for the implant. That procedure took about the same length of time if not shorter and was performed under local anesthetic like the first (I elected local, was offered full sedation). Again the procedure was quick and painless. There was some pressure associated with the drilling and implant insertion to the implant site but there was no pain. Again I only needed Ibuprofen for a few days post-op. My healing cap is on and I look forward to having the replacement tooth placed in a couple of months. I have recommended ORA Oral Surgery & Implant Studio and Dr. Steven Koos to all my friends and family and have no reservations recommending to anyone else.
There was absolutely no down side to any of my experiences there.
WAY TOO OFF THE CHARTS EXPENSIVE! Catty, obnoxious reception too.
Ugh
Comment from Steven K. of ORA Dental, Oral Surgery & Implant Studio 12/11/2011
Interesting comments (brings up concerns of the possibility of an unscrupulous competitor writing fictitious review, which is an unfortunate circumstance that can occur on Yelp). The review before it was edited down to this current sentence referenced “our trendy haircuts, us attending all the cool parties in the city, Groupon daily deal mega-discounted implants and our expensive dental implant fees.”
Specifically with regard to our fees so that others reading will have accurate information…
We are providers for a vast array of insurance companies. These companies set the fee schedule and providers do not. The fee schedule/pricing on different services are, therefore, consistent between one provider to the next (given they are within the same geographic area and you are comparing a general dentist to a general dentist or a specialist to a specialist). The fees for the exact same procedures do indeed vary from insurance carrier to insurance carrier for the exact same procedure and, as mentioned before are set by the insurance company not the doctor, but the doctor has to follow them exactly.
As an example – These are some Dental Implant Fees (dental code 6010) set by the following insurance companies for the exact same procedure. Cigna $1440, Delta $1500, Guardian $1464, Blue Cross Blue Shield $2,417. As you can see there is a range- big range sometimes. If this is a real patient and you would like any further clarification with your insurance we would be happy to take time with you and carefully review all of your benefits and treatment plan so that you are not under any misconception. While Groupon and other “Daily Deal Steals” are great opportunities to save money and try great products and services, I caution patients receiving healthcare, particularly surgery, to be very very cautious.
Recent advances in dental technology have provided denture wearers with some fantastic opportunities for obtaining stronger, more beautiful smiles. Patients who are wearing dentures in Chicago are turning to this experienced oral surgeon for dental implants that can completely change their outlook on life.
Dental implants can be used in an extraordinary number of combinations to replace single teeth or multiple teeth. Dental Implants can be utilized to replace an entire upper or lower denture, according to each patient’s needs. A thorough examination by this skilled oral surgeon, who is well-versed in the intricacies of the dental implant process, is necessary to determine the best use of the implants.
Patients who are deemed healthy enough to undergo outpatient surgery, which means most everyone, can be considered as candidates for dental implants. The strength and stability of the dental implant can be directly attributed to the relationship between the implant and the jawbone. Since the implant is surgically placed and will become anchored to the bone, it quickly and permanently becomes fused into place. With proper healing, the implant serves as an artificial tooth root, capable of sustaining the tremendous forces of chewing and biting.
As a single artificial tooth root, the implant is typically used to replace one natural tooth. As the number of implants increases, more of the chewing surface can be comfortably replaced. Multiple implants are often used to support an entire denture on both the upper and lower jaws.
The alternatives for replacing a denture with dental implants are highly customizable. Implants can be used to form a permanent base in order to stabilize a removable denture or as an anchor for a permanent denture. In either instance, the denture is locked in place during eating and speaking, eliminating the need for adhesive pastes and denture glues.
As more patients are realizing the tremendous advantages of dental implants for improving the fit of dentures, the treatment possibilities continue to grow. If you are interested in replacing your denture with dental implants, plan your visit with our Chicago implant dentistry team as soon as possible.
Few patients would choose to lose all of the upper or lower teeth. Unfortunately, due to trauma, disease, and other circumstances, complete tooth loss is a common occurrence in our society. Although dentures have been a popular choice for tooth replacement for hundreds of years, the introduction and success of dental implants has changed the way we now address tooth loss.
