Dentist Introduces New Procedure for Implants to His Practice
By Lois Thomson
As a dentist with 17 years of experience, Dr. Tim Chips, an Associate Fellow with the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, has introduced a new procedure into his practice: Stabili-teeth. With his experience, Dr. Chips is quite skilled in using the All-On-X procedure to provide implants for patients who are missing teeth; however, Stabili-teeth provides similar results but is more cost-efficient.
Dr. Chips is the owner of Chips Dental, a practice his father started in 1978. He said Stabili-teeth was invented by Dr. Carl Medgaus of Monroeville, but when Dr. Medgaus suddenly passed away at the beginning of 2025, Dr. Chips became familiar with the process when some of Dr. Medgaus' patients began to call him. He said many patients were in the middle of their treatment, and with his experience with the All-On-X implants, those patients looked to him as a provider. "I was the only person listed anywhere in (this region), so they started calling my office looking for help."
He said Stabili-teeth is a surgical process similar to the All-On-X, but uses different types of dental implants that allow costs to be controlled. Dr. Chips obtained a license to provide Stabili-teeth in the Pittsburgh area and has been helping a number of the patients finish their treatment.
“An All-On-X treatment for one set of teeth, upper or lower, can be anywhere from $25,000 to $35,000, and a lot of times it’s not covered well – if at all – by dental insurance plans. Neither is Stabili-teeth, but you can cut the cost in half, and people have been very happy with it. It’s not without its limitations, but it definitely is a good treatment.”
He commented that the procedure is a good option for people who are wearing dentures and don't like how they fit or don't like how they function. "Aesthetically, the look of the teeth is nearly identical with what we do with dentures cases or All-On-X cases, but the substructure is a little different and allows me to provide it at a lower cost." He called it a great go-between from traditional dentures or other types of treatments, and the All-On-X treatment.
He went on to say that it's very efficient and allows people to have teeth that stay in place. During the consultation, he goes over with patients what the limitations are so they know the differences between Stabili-teeth treatments and All-On-X treatments. "We show them both so there's a good understanding as to why there is a big difference in cost. The procedure is relatively similar to All-On-X, does a nice job of replacing a set of missing teeth for patients who are struggling, or patients who are wearing dentures and don't like them. So we've had a lot of success with it recently, and I'm happy to be providing it as an option for patients."
In conclusion, Dr. Chips simply said, "I think Stabili-teeth fills a very significant gap for patients who need a new set of teeth."
For more information, call (724) 443-5710 or visit www.chipsdental.com.