Hybridge Full Arch Implants

The Hybridge Full Arch is not your typical dental implant. Instead, it is a specialized prosthetic restoration that is created using specific clinical techniques. While traditional dental implants are commonly used to replace one or a few teeth, the Hybridge Full Arch is a cost-effective, simplified treatment approach that is designed to replace up to 12 teeth with a cross-linked PMMA and chrome cobalt bridge, supported by five to six dental implants. In just a fraction of the time patients can achieve full dental function with the Hybridge Full Arch.

All-onFour^® is a trademarked full arch dental implant manufactured by Nobelbiocare. However, any full arch implant that rests on four implants can also be referred to as All-on-Four. Our Hybridge system is a similar full arch dental implant, but it rests on five to six implants and utilizes a digital workflow that allows us to complete the procedure with fewer visits, all in-house at Apex Dental.

Every person is different and so too is the Hybridge case depending on the number of teeth remaining, available bone, and other factors. There are many variables to the Hybridge treatment, so cost can vary. Dr. Brad will give you an exact cost estimate at the time of your initial consultation.

Only dentists who are already leaders in the field of dental implants are considered qualified for this training. Only dentists who have completed certification through Hybridge LLC can offer Hybridge treatment. Since the Hybridge protocol is very efficient, many of our patients do travel a distance for this treatment. Proper treatment sequencing using the Hybridge protocol can minimize the number of visits to complete treatment.

Yes, our process can be completed on patients who have been told they are not eligible for dental implants. The Hybridge Full Arch process is unique in that it utilizes the bone that most of our patients already have. Bone grafting may be needed with extreme bone loss. A dental CT scan can easily identify available bone, and determine if bone augmentation/addition is needed.

Most patients can resume normal activities within a few days. Although in most cases discomfort is minimal, patients vary when it comes to bruising; approximately 20 percent experience some degree of bruising. This may affect your returning to work right away. Three to five days is usually plenty of time to wait to return to a full schedule.

The Hybridge Full Arch is designed to withstand normal function, but with some limitations. Eating anything harder than your teeth could cause chipping or breaking. We suggest that Hybridge Full Arch patients refrain from eating food that requires “crushing,” such as hard nuts, ice, bones, hard candies, popcorn kernels and hard pretzels. Over time, there may be instances where patients forget these limitations and experience some fracture or wear of the teeth on the Hybridge Full Arch. The repair is quite easy, and often can be completed in the office. If the bridge requires repair at the Hybridge Laboratory, it takes only a few days to repair. The cost to the patient is usually minimal, comparable to that of a filling. There are no tooth-colored dental materials which are indestructible. The PMMA teeth of a Hybridge Full Arch are advantageous in that they are the most life-like in appearance, and are repairable.

With so many dental insurance policies available today, we suggest you contact your insurance carrier to determine if dental implants are covered on your plan. If your policy does cover dental implants, you will find the yearly maximum will be the limit to coverage. As a rule, we find that dental insurance coverage is usually not significant enough to be a determining factor in completing treatment. Medicaid, Medicare and medical insurance typically do not cover Hybridge treatment.

Yes, most of our patients apply for financing through banks such as CareCredit or GreenState Credit Union.

Alternatively, our patients find very competitive interest rates through their local banks. Home equity loans often times are the lowest interest rates available, and the Interest is tax deductible. Secured loans such as a home equity loan will usually be at a lower interest rate than an unsecured loan. Many patients are not aware that dental expenses that exceed a certain percentage of your yearly income can be tax deductible. For some, this can generate a tax refund the following year of up to 25 percent of the cost of their Hybridge treatment. Consult with your tax advisor for more information.

In most cases, you will always be able to wear a temporary denture or temporary Hybridge during the time you are going through treatment. The temporary denture will give you very good aesthetics, but your ability to eat/function will be limited while wearing the denture(s). There are fixed temporary Hybridge options that offer more function and comfort than the temporary denture.

The Hybridge process typically takes only a few appointments to complete. After an initial consultation to determine the best course of treatment, the implants are placed and the temporary teeth are attached. Once the implants have healed and fully integrated with the jawbone, the final teeth are placed and the restoration is complete.

Treatment time is usually measured starting at the first surgical procedure and ends at the final insertion of your Hybridge Full Arch restoration. Treatment can be completed in as few as two weeks. Treatment duration varies based on:

• Remaining teeth at the start of treatment
• Whether bone grafting is needed
• Upper or Lower Hybridge
• Dental infection at the start of treatment

The Hybridge Full Arch is definitely a solution for denture wearers because it is a permanent solution that restores full function, which wearing a denture doesn’t do. Hybridge is also a solution for those who have some or all of their natural teeth remaining. Many people have chronic dental problems caused by periodontal disease or decay. Conventional dentistry doesn’t definitively solve these problems for those at high risk. Hybridge Full Arch is a definitive, once and for all solution for those patients whose teeth do not have a good prognosis.

Hybridge may be the right treatment for someone young or old. Current patient age ranges are 21 to 93. More important than age is good healing, which is not age dependent. Patients that smoke will often take longer to heal from their Hybridge procedure. Your overall health will be evaluated, regardless of your age.

Many times by correcting a bad bite, grinding will lessen, but habits are sometimes hard to stop. We have found that those with a history of grinding (bruxing), will need more maintenance over time due to wear of the Hybridge Full Arch teeth. Unlike natural teeth, that wear can be restored easily, usually within a week, and for less cost than one crown.

Gum disease is a bad name for periodontal disease. It should be called tooth disease. In the absence of teeth, there is no periodontal disease. This doesn’t mean that good oral hygiene is not required with Hybridge Full Arch. A clean mouth will make for a healthy mouth free of inflammation and infection. We recommend cleanings every three to four months.

The Hybridge Full Arch can be removed only by your dentist, and only when needed. It is permanent.

Yes, we recommend cleanings every three to four months. At these appointments, a full oral screening will be performed.

The alarms will not go off. Like any other dental material, i.e., fillings and crowns, the Hybridge Full Arch isn’t identified in a security scan.

Hybridge restorations are fabricated using two different materials. The underlying strength of the bridge comes from a chrome cobalt metal material that is extremely strong. Cross-linked PMMA teeth and pink acrylic, which mimics the gum tissue, are bonded to this metal core. The wear and tear of these materials is dependent on the individual habits of the Hybridge patient. For most, maintenance of the materials is minimal over time. Those with habits such as tooth grinding, clenching and chewing hard objects (ice, candy, etc.) will incur higher maintenance costs. If the materials become worn or damaged, they can be replaced, oftentimes for less than the cost of a few conventional crowns.