ALL ON FOUR DENTAL IMPLANTS
Whether it be due to age or an accident, patients may find themselves with little to no teeth. When this is the case, different restorative options are considered. One outstanding replacement option that many patients love is All on Four Dental Implants. This implant restoration option involves the placement of as few as four dental implants to hold a beautiful row of replacement teeth. These prosthetics are stunning, secure, durable, and long-lasting.
WHAT ARE DENTAL IMPLANTS?
The placement of dental implants is a procedure that involves a dentist placing a prosthetic tooth or multiple prosthetic teeth in a patient’s mouth to replace missing teeth. These prosthetics are fixed in place with a titanium screw or screws, or a metal frame attached to the jawbone for additional support. While many patients have implants placed for one tooth or a small number of teeth, there is the option of replacing entire rows of teeth with All on Four dental implants.
WHAT ARE ALL ON FOUR DENTAL IMPLANTS?
All on Four dental implants are prosthetics that are like a mixture between dentures and implants. These prosthetics mimic entire rows of teeth and are held in place with screws that are implanted in a patient’s jawbone.
ALL ON FOUR DENTAL IMPLANTS BENEFITS
Because the prosthetics are held in place with implants that are attached to the patient’s jawbone, All on 4 dental implants are far more secure than other replacement options. This allows the patient to bite and chew in a very similar way to how they did before their teeth began to fall out. All on Four dental implants can also be made to blend well with a patient’s remaining natural teeth—as these dentures can replace just one row of teeth while still allowing the patient to maintain a healthy row of natural teeth. Because of the materials that are used to fabricate All on Four dental implants, patients wearing them can feel confident knowing that their replacement teeth won’t stick out—and will likely go completely unnoticed.
All on Four dental implants also don’t require any adhesives and are permanently placed. This means the patient does not have to worry about removing the prosthetics for proper cleaning and oral healthcare. They are also more comfortable, because they do not press down on a patient’s gums. All on Four dental implants also help to maintain the structure of a patient’s face and help to prevent bone loss.
ALL ON FOUR PROCEDURE
The placement process of All on Four dental implants begins with a trip to a dentist for a consultation. From there, the dentist will decide if a patient is a good candidate for the All on Four implant procedure. Once they decide that the candidate is, an appointment will be set for the first step of the implant process. The procedure will involve the use of anesthesia to ensure the comfort of the patient. This may be local or general anesthesia. It’s important to schedule time off for the procedure, as going back to work right after will not be an option. The dentist will also extract any teeth that may be getting in the way of the procedure.
During the procedure, a patient’s gums are cut into and opened up to allow for the placement of the implants. The dentist will drill into the jawbone and install the titanium rods that will hold the implant prosthetics in place. The prosthetics will then be placed.
Recovery after the placement of the All on Four dental implants is often around 3 to 8 months. This allows for time for the gums to recover and the implants to fuse to the bone. It’s important for patients to wait 72 hours after the procedure before smoking and to take good care of their gums. Strenuous activity should be avoided, as it can lead to bleeding and swelling. With that said, some swelling is normal for the first few days after the procedure. If it lasts longer, though, an appointment may need to be made.
It's also important to keep in mind that, while the teeth are prosthetic, the gums underneath are not. Because of this, proper care needs to be taken to keep the gums healthy and avoid infection.
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