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ALL ON FOUR DENTAL IMPLANTS
As people age, it is common for them to begin to lose teeth. There are also accidents that can occur that can lead to a patient losing some or all of their teeth. Whatever the case may be, missing teeth need to be replaced for both practical and cosmetic reasons. When it comes to the replacement of a large portion of a patient’s teeth, a dentist will consider different denture and tooth replacement options. For some patients, dental implants are an option that can provide durability, strength and a natural appearance.
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 amount of teeth, there is the option of replacing entire rows of teeth with All on 4 dental implants.
WHAT ARE ALL ON FOUR DENTAL IMPLANTS?
All On 4 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.
Read all on four dental implant frequently asked questions >
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 4 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 4 dental implants, patient’s wearing them can feel confident knowing that their replacement teeth won’t stick out—and will likely go completely unnoticed.
All on 4 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 4 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 4 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 4 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.
The recovery time after the procedure will likely be around 3 to 8 months. This gives the gums time to recover, and the implants to fuse to the bone. Immediately after the procedure, the gums will need to be taken care of. Patients should also wait at least 72 hours before smoking. For any questions about smoking, the patient should ask the dentist before the procedure.
Strenuous activity should be avoided after the procedure, as this can lead to additional swelling and bleeding. Swelling is normal for the first couple of days after the procedure. If swelling and bleeding persists, a patient should consider visiting their dentist to ensure the area is healing properly.
It’s important to note that—while the teeth are prosthetic—the healthy gums underneath are still natural. Because of this, they need to be properly cared for to avoid infection. Additional recovery questions should be discussed with a dentist.
ALL ON FOUR VS DENTURES
While dentures can also be used to replace missing rows of teeth, they aren’t quite as functional as All on 4 dental implants. Unlike All on 4, dentures are not permanently held in place. They also sit on the gumline, which can be more uncomfortable.
While dentures are a great option for patients that cannot have All on 4 dental implants placed, they aren’t as strong as All on 4, and they don’t allow for many of the benefits that come with All on 4 implants.
ALL ON FOUR CANDIDATES
While All on 4 dental implants are an amazing, long-lasting and secure option for many patients, not all patient can benefit from All on 4 dental implants. During a consultation, your dentist will let you know if All on 4 dental implants are physically a viable option. From there, other
important factors need to be considered.
One major consideration for patients is the overall cost of the procedure—which can be quite high. All on 4 dentures may cost as much as $20,000 to $30,000. If you have a row of teeth that need to be replaced, consider All on 4 dental implants for a strong, attractive and long-lasting alternative to traditional dentures.