Replacing Missing Teeth with All-on-4 Implants
A dental treatment that is rapidly gaining popularity for the replacement of missing teeth is all on 4 dental implants. The name describes this treatment perfectly, as it is a dental prosthesis replacing “all” of the missing teeth in an arch (upper or lower) “on 4 dental implants”. Dental implants are wonderful in their diversity of use, and this treatment is a great alternative to full dentures.
How Can Four Dental Implants Support All the Teeth?
All on 4 dental implant prostheses require unique angulation and precise placement of the four dental implants, and this is the source of the treatment’s success. There is a great deal of pre-operative planning that occurs prior to surgery to ensure the best outcome. Your doctor uses advanced technologies to accurately plan not only the prosthesis, but also the implant placement.
On the day of surgery, your doctor removes any remaining teeth, places the dental implants in the prescribed position, and attaches the prosthesis replacing all of the teeth. Many people call this “same day dental implants”. While it is true that you receive the prosthetic teeth in the same visit as the implants, you must remember the time required for planning and fabrication of the prosthesis before the surgical appointment.
What are the Advantages of All on 4 Dental Implants?
All on 4 dental implants provide patients with many advantages over other teeth replacement options.
No Looseness
– The prosthesis attaches into the dental implants, which have a solid connection to the surrounding jawbone. This attachment through the implant to the bone means that the prosthesis does not move around. There is no looseness, no falling out, and no rubbing of sore spots on your gums!
Beautiful and Natural Cosmetic Result
– The solid connection to dental implants also allows the prosthesis to be as small as possible. This prevents the unnatural bulkiness or fullness you might notice in people who wear removable dentures. An all on 4 prosthesis looks natural and beautiful.
Long-Term Stability
– With traditional dentures, the fit changes over time as the underlying jawbones shrink. The presence of dental implants in the bone under an all on 4 prosthesis actually stimulates and maintains the health of the jawbone, promoting long-term stability.
(Relatively) Immediate Results
– As we mentioned earlier, the actual all on 4 procedure takes place in a single visit. That means if you have remaining teeth, you do not have to go a day without them. Your doctor removes them, places the implants, and attaches the prosthesis. Again, we say that it is “relatively” immediate because of the extensive pre-operative planning we perform prior to that single visit.
Who is a Candidate for All on 4 Dental Implants?
All on 4 dental implants are a good treatment option for anyone in need of full arch prosthetic teeth. This applies to those who are already missing all of their teeth, and those who have severe dental disease and require the removal of all of their teeth.
Because of the surgical nature of this treatment, patients must be in relatively good overall health with a substantial amount of jawbone to hold the implants.
More Questions about All on 4 Dental Implants?
Call Empire Dental Specialty Group today to schedule a consultation with our implant experts in either our Beavercreek or West Chester offices. We can answer all of your questions about all on 4 and help you get started on your path to a beautiful, healthy smile!
