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Inside the TeethNow Process: From Consultation to Permanent Teeth

Dr. Igor Kaplansky, DDS · April 18, 2026 · 6 min read

Medically reviewed by Dr. Igor Kaplansky, DDS — April 18, 2026

TeethNow is a full-arch zirconia implant system that replaces every tooth in an arch — upper, lower, or both — using six to eight zirconia implants and delivering provisional teeth within 24 hours of surgery. The permanent zirconia prosthesis follows after osseointegration, typically three to five months later. No equivalent full-arch system exists elsewhere in Western New York.

What Makes TeethNow Different From All-on-4

Most patients researching full-arch implants encounter All-on-4 first. It’s a well-established system and a legitimate option. TeethNow differs in three meaningful ways:

Implant count: TeethNow uses six to eight implants per arch. All-on-4 uses four. More implants distribute chewing forces more evenly and provide additional stability — particularly relevant for patients with varying bone density across the arch.

Material: TeethNow uses zirconia implants and a zirconia final prosthesis. All-on-4 traditionally uses titanium implants with acrylic or zirconia prosthetics. Zirconia eliminates metal components entirely, offers superior aesthetics in the gumline zone, and is the material of choice for patients with metal sensitivities.

Bone preparation: Both systems use 3D-planned surgery to target the densest available bone and minimize or eliminate grafting. The difference is in the specificity of the surgical guides and the planning depth applied to each case.

Neither system is universally superior. The right choice depends on your anatomy, bone distribution, and case complexity. That determination happens at consultation and imaging review — not before.

The Six-Phase TeethNow Process

Phase 1: Consultation and digital planning

The process begins with a full oral examination and a 3D CBCT scan. This imaging maps jawbone quality and quantity at every potential implant site, identifies nerve positions, and reveals any conditions requiring treatment before surgery. From this data, Dr. Igor Kaplansky, DDS — Diplomate ABOI/ID, Fellow AAID/FICOI/FAGD, ZAGA Center certified — creates a digital treatment plan and a custom surgical guide that directs implant placement precisely.

Phase 2: Surgical implant placement

On the day of surgery, failing or remaining teeth (if present) are extracted, and the implants are placed into prepared sites using the surgical guide. The technique is flapless where bone conditions allow — meaning less soft tissue disruption, reduced swelling, and faster initial recovery.

Phase 3: Immediate provisional teeth

Within 24 hours, a CAD/CAM-manufactured provisional prosthesis is fitted to the implants. This isn’t a removable denture — it’s a fixed, screw-retained arch that stays in place. You leave the practice with teeth that function and look like natural teeth while the bone integrates.

Phase 4: Osseointegration

Over three to five months, the jawbone fuses to the implant surfaces. This biological process is what gives implants their permanence. During this period, a soft-to-normal diet supports healing without loading the implants inappropriately.

Phase 5: Permanent zirconia placement

After resonance frequency analysis confirms osseointegration is complete, the provisional prosthesis is replaced with the custom-milled zirconia final arch. This is the prosthesis designed for decades of use.

Phase 6: Long-term maintenance

Professional cleanings every three to six months are the primary ongoing requirement. Daily brushing and flossing around implant interfaces maintain peri-implant tissue health. Patients who grind their teeth receive a custom night guard to protect the prosthesis.

Who Is a TeethNow Candidate

TeethNow is designed for patients with:

• Full-arch tooth loss or failing dentition requiring full extraction
• Adequate bone volume for six or more implants, or bone that can be prepared with limited grafting
• Good general health supporting surgical healing
• Commitment to the recovery protocol and long-term maintenance

Patients with severe upper jaw bone loss who might otherwise require extensive grafting may be candidates for zygomatic implants instead of or combined with standard implants. The zygomatic implants page explains that option.

Recovery Expectations

Initial post-operative recovery is seven to ten days of limited activity, soft foods, and anti-inflammatory management. Most patients return to normal daily activity within two weeks. The osseointegration period is passive — you’re not recovering from surgery, you’re waiting for biology.

Pain levels after TeethNow surgery are manageable with prescribed anti-inflammatories and are consistently rated by patients as less severe than expected.

Next Step

Consultations at Dentistry by Dr. Kaplansky in Gasport, NY are offered at no charge. If you’re in Lockport, Niagara Falls, Buffalo, or anywhere in Western New York and researching full-arch options, schedule a consultation to receive a case-specific treatment plan. Dr. Kaplansky, Diplomate ABOI/ID, has placed thousands of implants and handles the full range of complexity in one office.

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Related: TeethNow System Overview · Dental Implant Cost Guide · Zygomatic Implants · Before and After Gallery