Dental Implants: Stories

Write a Review

All on Four Experience - Atlanta, GA

Laser2
posted 6 months ago

Worth It
Cost: $1
Dr. Steve Hahn (Atlanta, Ga)

I elected to go for the all on 4 - implants/ teeth...

24 Nov 2012

I elected to go for the all on 4 - implants/ teeth in a day. Years of bad teeth, mouth pain, related health issues and the social and aesthetic implications made it a must for me. It's been a year now and I can honestly say is was one of my best decisions I've ever made. I get complements on my teeth now and no one has any idea they're not my originals, unless I tell them.

Everyone is different and it's a very individual and "permanent" decision to make; One that should not be taken lightly I think. First and foremost I suggest doing your homework. Understand what you're doing to your body, how it will effect you and your life. Find a qualified implant specialist. I suggest finding one with a dental lab "in house" so you get your temporary teeth put in before you leave that day.

Is it painful? The surgery isn't. You're numb/ drugged and there are no nerves in bone so there is no pain to the bone what so ever. However, your gums however are loaded with nerves. I'm probably the biggest baby in the world when it comes to the dentist and I considered having them knock me out, but I trusted the doctors advise and local anesthetic suited me just fine. I'm glad I didn't waste the extra money on general anesthesia.

After the procedure you'll have some pain from gum disruption, tooth pulling or what ever manipulations to the gums you might have to endure. I had all of my teeth removed so mine was probably a little worse than most.

I won't lie, the first 48 hours after my surgery were difficult, but then... I'd just had surgery. I was swolen and pretty uncomfortable and I'll admit I questioned my decision to go through with it; but the after care pain meds helped a great deal. After the first 24-48 hours it was just uncomfortable for a time getting used to the new teeth. It was not an unbearable pain, more like a dull pain that slowly subsided as the gums healed. I noticed some temperature changes in my mouth where the implants are placed as the metal tends to feel cold, but this went away over time. You can feel them healing as they tend to give you a tightening sensation the jaw. This sensation goes away as well.

A couple days of swelling and discomfort go away very quickly - A beautiful smile has changed my life for the better and it will last me a lifetime. No, it's not cheap, but it was absolutely worth swapping that new car I was thinking about for my new smile. I'm glad it's over now but if I had to make the choice to to do it all over again, I absolutely would.

Great review?

My Doctor: Dr. Steve Hahn

My rating:

Doctor's Bedside Manner

Answered My Questions

After Care Follow-Up

Time Spent With Me

Phone or Email Responsiveness

Staff Professionalism & Courtesy

Payment Process

Wait Times

I did my homework, His qualifications are exceptional and his patients gave him good reviews. Additionally, having been an implant instructor at Columbia they don't come much better qualified. He allowed me to talk with previous patients (one on one) to get a better idea of what I was about to go through and let then share their experiences without his direction (I liked that). He allowed me to watch a procedure through a viewing window (with another patients consent) as he performed an implant surgery so I knew exactly what would be happening to me. He used quality implants, not the cheap stuff. I think he genuinely cares about his patients and their results. His staff are great and they make you feel very comfortable, They even offered me help with financing options.if I need it.. They followed up to make sure I was doing well and continue to do so even after all this time. He did a good job on my implants and I'm very happy with my results.

Comments (46)

Sort by

DevonneP 24 Mar 2013

My husband chose Dunson Dental, downtown Atlanta, for his implants. This doctor seemed to have more expertise than any other place we had been for estimates. He is about a month behind most patients on his healing because he is a diabetic and it's taking a little longer for him to heal. His next appt. is coming up and he should be measured for his new teeth. So far, everything is going great.

chefdba 29 Apr 2013

Hi DevonneP. Could you please clarify if your husband had both upper and lower or just one or the other. I have been trying to get an estimate of the total cost. I know the OP stated that giving a price estimate is like trying to compare a steak dinner. I am a chef and I can tell you with some certainty that a waffle house is one of the lowest priced and lowest quality steaks and is around $15.00 for steak and potatoes. The most overpriced restaurant is around $100 for a steak and potatoes. I think we all know the middle priced steak diners is around $20-$40 at the places that most folks eat steaks. I am just trying to get an estimate that is not a new car or a steak dinner. Could you give me a number within $10k or in a range like 20k-40k or 40k to 60k? Thanks for any help you can provide.

Jess135 29 Apr 2013

hi DevonneP. Glad to hear that your husband has had the procedure done and everything is going great. I am sure he will be able to eat a normal diet before too long and give him more choices especially with his condition.

Laser2 30 Apr 2013

I had both upper and lower done (all on 4) with teeth pulled. I did not have any bone graft work (which can greatly effect the cost). You're right about the steak. You might want take a close look at Costa Rica. A two week vacation could save you tens of thousands and net you the same (or better) implants. Their facilities and labs are state of the art and dentists are top notch (many American). I wish I had looked a little longer. 12-20k seems to be a fair range there and from what I've seen/ experienced they do beautiful work. Prices are VERY competitive in Atlanta so if you feel you absolutely must get implants in the US, I'd get 4-5 quotes and shop them and before you make your decision. Implants are absolutely worth doing if you need teeth. It will change your world and the way you walk through it.

Laser2 30 Apr 2013

One more thing... Go to a local dentist and have a digital panaramic xray done. It will cost you a couple hundred dollars but any dentist will need this to give you a rough estimate. Further/ better... spend an extra $300 to get a 3D scan done (there are mobile pan services that will come to your house with a machine in a van). With these two items an implant specialist can give you a very close estimate without ever sitting in a chair. They do not of course take into consideration all of the factors but if you're healthy they're pretty much spot on. Also consider the age of these items - don't spend the money on these until you are ready to move forward with your implants (within 6 mos). You body will change and so will your scans. Hope this helps

AlissaBanks 18 Dec 2012

Your dental implants Look amazing! It must be such a good feeling to have those finally in your mouth!

Laser2 23 Dec 2012

Thank you. For the first time in over 20 yrs I'm not affraid to smile in the family Christmas pictures. I'm happier with my appearance... and it shows :)

DevonneP 17 Dec 2012

Jess, thank you for your advice. Dunson Dental is calling my husband's doctor. That is the first thing they asked for....his dr's phone number so that made me feel good. I'm also going to call him and talk to him (he's my doctor too). I think we are just about ready to proceed with this procedure!

Jess135 18 Dec 2012

That's good. I wish your husband all the best. Remember to ask about guarantees, warranties etc. so that you can be assured of support for future problems that may arise. Keep us informed of his progress

DevonneP 16 Dec 2012

I am posting some of my concerns on Dr. Dunson's site. I will also call them this week. I see above that the "average price" of dental implants is $8400. I wonder how they came up with that price. Our price will be almost double that. I wish hubby would consider a regular dental practice that does implants, but he feels better going to someone that does nothing but dental implants all day. I'm hoping it is true that the more experience a doctor has, the less complications he will have in the future. He is 67 years old and a diabetic, so his age and health are huge factors too. Could someone tell me what makes the bridge crack? Also about the screw that the doctor can't get out, what made that happen? Devonne

Jess135 16 Dec 2012

I saw an image of the two and in comparison the screw is tiny. Screw fracture can again be caused by too much load on the implant (particularly the angled ones), improper tightening and loosening. There is a site that I use to learn a bit more about my problems. Not all specialists agree with one another but it gives good insight into some of the potential problems that can occur from specialists in the field. There is a search box that you can search about all on four. www.osseonews.com/. As I highlighted in another post these are potential issues you should ask your intended specialist and if these problems arise ask what his treatment plan and potential costs would be.

Jess135 16 Dec 2012

I am sorry but the above comment has only the second part published. I lost internet access and could only copy half of what I had written before it was lost. If you look at the link above the cost of $8400 another window will open and you will see a list of what everyone has posted as the cost to them and an average of these are calculated. I mention the size of the screw above and what I mean by this is that all on 4 implants are smaller than the normal implants. The screw for the all on 4 implants are tiny by comparison.

Jess135 16 Dec 2012

I would strongly recommend you speak to the physician treating your husband for his diabetes. He should be able to advice about the pros and cons of undertaking the surgical procedure and potential impact on his diabetes and any other health issues he may have.

Jess135 16 Dec 2012

Sorry my posts seem a bit disjointed. You asked about the bridge breaking. This can be caused by normal wear and tear, but I don't know what length of time is practical before this occurs. It can also be caused by excessive load on the bridge. My own specialist mentioned my own bottom teeth being a factor. It would appear that all on 4 works best if both upper and bottom teeth are a prosthesis and there is not so much load on it. It can also be caused by improper placement of the implants and the forces of eating cause uneven loads on it. These are probably only some of the factors.

Jess135 16 Dec 2012

Here is a comment made by one of the doctors in the question and answer section here: Dental Implants are Quite Successful! With advances in Dental Technology and Dignostic Imaging the placement of Dental Implants are predominately successful. The Dental Profession as a whole has become more savvy in Surgical Techniques and Diagnositc ability which accounts as to why placing and restoring Implants have had success rates in the high 90 percent range. It is not beneficial to Patient and to Doctor to place Implants in heavy smokers or people who are sick with metabolic disease such as poorly controlled diabetics. Proper patient selection is key as is the coordinated efforts between the experienced Surgeon and Restorative Dentist. When these parameters are met Dental Implants sets the standard today as to how teeth are replaced. Share Tweet Share via Email Howard Perlmutter, DMD Howard Perlmutter, DMD Paramus Cosmetic Dentist

Laser2 17 Dec 2012

There are two parts to the procedure. The implants and the temporaries - then the perm teeth. Teeth are made of various materials and the selection makes a difference in the total price. Perhaps I missed something but $8400 sounds exceptionally low to me for an all on 4 upper and lower + teeth proceedure. I'd suggest you "fully" understand what you're buying and make sure it's in writing. I would suggest looking into Zirconium screws as an option.

DevonneP 14 Dec 2012

We are contemplating using Dunson Dental Design in Atlanta. We did the free consultation and they took x-rays. If anyone has been there that can provide any patient feedback, email me at devonnep@gmail.com. I was impressed by this doctor's concern for my husband's health issues (he's a diabetic and has HBP). I am also impressed with his credentials that I read on the internet. Still need to learn more about warranty, chances of failure, etc. I wish I could get something in writing that will cover all of these issues before signing on the dotted line, and making that first appt. He has an infection that needs to be taken care of and Dr. Dunson was on top of this as well.

Jess135 15 Dec 2012

Dr. Dunson has a section within his FAQ page which should allow you to ask these questions and if he is explicit about what he is willing to cover you are within our rights to ask for this to be included in your dental plan. I wish I had asked all the these questions at the outset. You are paying a lot of hard earned money and are entitled to have all your concerns addressed prior to such a significant life decision to be made. Here is the section I found on his site: What are the success rates of dental implants? There are many factors related to the success and failure of dental implants, but in general, the success rate of implant dentistry is 95%. Smoking, poor dental hygiene, injury, and other factors can have a negative effect on dental implants, so it’s important that you follow our instructions for proper pre-operative and post-operative care.

Jess135 15 Dec 2012

he also gives this assurance: Dr. Bernee Dunson and his trained staff of dental professionals will strive always to meet your goals and ensure that all of your questions and concerns are addressed.

lulu222 14 Dec 2012

Your Employer: (I'd bet that $1 you spent) Steve Hahn!

DevonneP 8 Dec 2012

Jess, my husband has no bone left except in the front (lower) where he has six teeth, 3 of them are bad, so he has only 3 good teeth left. His back teeth were pulled years ago. I'm still trying to find someone qualified who could give us a less expensive alternative. I am doing some research on snap-on dentures.

Jess135 10 Dec 2012

Most dentist that carry out implants can carry out this procedure. I hope you find a good specialist whose prices are reasonable. Take your time and I'm sure you will find a reasonably prices dental practice who will be able to meet your husbands needs. I would say; speak to one who can give you impartial advice about the all on 4 procedure, even though the specialist carries out this treatment. If your husband is going ahead with this type of procedure you need to ask what will happen if there problems occur both short and long term and if he/she is willing to take any responsibility for resolving any issues such as implant failure or fracture of bridge. These occurrences can be extremely expensive. Always ask if there is any warranty on the appliances i.e. implants, screw, abutment or bridge then you will be aware of any additional outgoings you may incur. Also ask how long the warranty will last. Don't be satisfied with any assurances that there is a 90 something percent success rate and minimal chance of failure. I have found on many dental practitioner sites they tell you many advantages of this technique is but I have very rarely seen them highlight any disadvantages.

Jess135 8 Dec 2012

Seems like your doctor below has not given you correct information as his practice advertise overdentures http://www.georgiadic.com/dental-implants-acworth-ga.html Implant Over Denture Implant overdentures are a type of implant used with removable dentures for patients with few or no remaining teeth. The overdenture uses two or more dental implants in the lower jaw or usually four or more dental implants in the upper jaw. The mushroom-shaped implants are anchored in the bone of the jaw and a framework attached which protrudes above the gums that the denture snaps onto. The implants and framework are completely hidden by the denture and allow a secure fit for the denture. Dr. Steven Hahn DMD, MS Steve T. Hahn, DMD, MS Woodstock, Kennesaw and Acworth, GA Dentist Prosthodontist Georgia Dental Implant Center

DevonneP 8 Dec 2012

We went to Dr. Hahn and got an estimate for my husband this week. It was $19,500, a "senior discount." Clear Choice was $17,500 and we also went to Dunson Dental who does what is called the "Hybridge". About the same as CC. I think DH is more worried about how we are going to pay for this being retired and no dental insurance, so he is researching getting lower dentures with implants. Does anyone know anything about the snap-on dentures? He does like the idea you can take them out and he can't take out the permanent ones from the places we have been. He's now checking prices outside of GA.

Laser2 29 Jan 2013

If you're going to do implants (snap in) you might as well do a the perms in my opinion. what's the use in snapping in/ out teeth if you can have them perm? Just my thoughts.

More Dental Implants Reviews

After months of research I decided to drive to Las Vegas to have the All-on-4 procedure...

The most important things you need to know about implants are: 1. to not smoke or use...

I recentlet did a investagation to explore mt dental implant options and prices aroungd the...

View more Dental Implants reviews

Dental Implants: Stories

All on Four Experience - Atlanta, GA

I elected to go for the all on 4 - implants/ teeth...

Comments (46)

More Dental Implants Reviews

Related Dental Implants Q&A

Welcome Back

Join RealSelf

Retrieve your password

Check your email