All-On-4:
All-on-4 dental implants are an easy way to replace missing teeth or dentures using modern technology and materials. They are perfect if you have dentures or are missing many of your natural teeth.
What are All-on-4 dental implants?
All-on-4 dental implants can support a whole arch of teeth using only four implants. This can be used on either the upper or lower jaw and immediately replaces missing teeth which not only look and feel similar to your natural teeth, but function normally also.
How does all-on-4 work?
All-on-4 consists of four titanium implants inserted into each jaw. These implants act as a foundation for a bridge. A fixed set of teeth, which will look like your natural teeth, can then be added to the implants replacing your teeth.
If you have some bone loss, All-on-4 can still be used as a good solution. When the posterior implants are tilted 45 degrees, it reduces the need for a bone grafting and can provide you with a set of teeth virtually indistinguishable from your set of natural teeth. All-on-4 procedures take advantage of the denser bone that often remains in various parts of the jaw. This positioning is angled so it avoids the nerve canal in the lower jaw and sinus cavities in the upper jaw.
All-on-4 procedures
Before you have surgery, you will need to have one or two appointments at a DCN dentist so the oral surgeon and restorative dentist can develop a treatment plan for you. This may involve taking X-rays, photos, impressions and other measurements.
Following this consultation process, you will be scheduled for surgery implantation. Here, your new teeth will be fitted and adjusted within a 24 hour period, even if extractions are necessary. You will be sedated during this procedure, usually using an IV drip.
You may need to return for check ups in the next few months to ensure the replacement teeth fit properly. At the six-month mark, your gums should have fully healed and your implants fused to the natural bone.
How is All-on-4 different from traditional dental implants?
All-on-4 dental implants do not require bone grafting and simply require four implants that can support the entire arch of dental restorations. Traditional dental implants may require up to eight single implants to support an entire arch of dental restorations. All-on-4 dental implants only use four implants in total because the two posterior implants are tilted at an angle that allows for longer implant posts. These implants offer the same durability and support of traditional implants but with a faster treatment time.
Surgery is much quicker as most patients are able to have the replacement teeth added the same day as their implant surgery while maintaining regular eating and chewing functions, rather than waiting weeks between surgeries.
With traditional dental implants usually requiring more than four single implants to support a full arch, the cost of treatment is typically higher as more dental implants need to be placed. The jaw bone would also need to have substantial strength in order to support the implants, meaning that many patients would require a bone graft procedure before the implant procedure could even begin. This, again, would increase the cost of the procedure as well as extend the amount of time required for treatment to be complete.
Is All on 4 right for me?
All-in-4 treatment is typically recommended for patients who need to replace the majority of their natural teeth. They are also usually good for patients with low bone volume who cannot have a bone graft due to health conditions such as diabetes or osteoporosis.
Your dentist will first give you an appointment to evaluate your current dental health. He or she will also give you some advice about the treatment options that will best fulfil your needs.
Benefits of All on 4
All-on-4 implants are a good treatment for patients that need to replace virtually all of their natural teeth. The procedure has a high success rate and can virtually eliminate the need for bone grafting which is an invasive, uncomfortable and costly procedure.
The procedure is generally quick (around one to two hours long) and you will have full function afterwards as opposed to traditional dental implants that require multiple visits over 3-6 months to complete
The result will be natural-looking teeth that work effectively and efficiently.
Aftercare
After your surgery you may need to come in for check-ups to ensure everything is in order. However, your new implants will function naturally from the day you leave the dentist’s office. Your dentist will advise you about how to care for your implants, but this is very easy and it is not hard to keep them clean.
Anxious patients
If you are anxious about your surgery or treatment, make sure you talk to your dentist about your needs so he or she can make you feel more comfortable. Remember, you will be sedated during the surgery so you won’t feel pain or stress.
All-on-4 costs
As a rule, complete oral rehabilitation using all-on-4 dental implants is about half the price of traditional implants, but if you want further information or are considering payment plans, it is best to speak directly to your DCN dental office.