Are All-on-4 Dental Implants Right for You? Factors to Consider

A missing tooth can be a big hindrance when you want to smile confidently, and many patients do not realize that All-on-4 dental implants might be an alternative to a smile full of gaps. When a person is missing a single tooth, a replacement can seem simple; however, those who have lost multiple teeth or even an entire arch have options too!

In fact, All-on-4 is a viable way for people with multiple missing teeth to restore their smile without needing to resort to dentures, glue, and the inconvenience of a removable device. To decide if All-on-4 dental implants are right for you, you will first need to consider multiple factors, including who makes a good candidate, what the process entails, and what to expect during recovery.

What to know before All-on-4

All-on-4 is an invasive but permanent option for tooth replacement when multiple teeth are missing in the same dental arch. It is more involved than getting dentures, but the results more closely mimic natural teeth.

What is All-on-4?

All-on-4 is a dental implant system that can replace an entire arch of teeth. Rather than installing a post into the jawbone for each missing tooth, four posts are placed at strategic locations across the dental arch. Then, a set of prosthetic teeth is manufactured and affixed to these implants, mimicking natural teeth without the need to install implants one by one.

A person does not need to be missing their entire arch; the artificial teeth replacements can be crafted to accommodate existing teeth. However, All-on-4 is still a dental implant system, which means a person must be willing and able to undergo the implant process.

Who is a good candidate?

The best candidates for All-on-4 dental implants are those who are missing numerous teeth in the same dental arch. Patients with a completely empty arch are those who often benefit from All-on-4, but even if a person has lost only most of their teeth, the process can still continue as long as the remaining teeth are in good enough condition.

Good candidates for All-on-4 implants include:

• Those missing every tooth on either the top or bottom of their mouth
• Those with significant gum disease that threatens the stability of natural teeth
• Those ineligible for other types of tooth restoration
• Those with sufficient jawbone to hold the implants or those able to undergo a graft

What the process is like

All-on-4s are dental implants, which means the process of getting them is similar to that of a regular dental implant. The dentist will make an incision into the gums and insert a metal post into the jawbone at the locations determined during the consultation. Then, the patient will need to wait six months or more, on average, for the bone to fuse around the metal posts. This process, called osseointegration, ensures that the implants remain sturdy and function just like tooth roots.

Once the posts are integrated into the jawbone, the dentist can install the All-on-4 artificial teeth using either screws or dental cement. These become permanently affixed in the mouth, just like regular teeth, and should be taken care of the same way.

Recovery and long-term outlook for All-on-4

Recovery after All-on-4 depends on the treatments necessary to complete the process. Those who needed a bone or gum graft to prepare the site for implantation can expect a longer timeline, as they will need to heal from these procedures before undergoing the implants themselves. They may be restricted to a soft food diet for the days immediately following the procedures to ensure that the surgery site heals properly.

However, once the implants have healed and the artificial teeth are inserted, recovery is simple. The person may need to spend a week or so getting used to the new feeling of the teeth in their mouth, and they may require a couple days of practice to relearn how to make speech sounds the way that they are used to.

Once the new teeth are in place, they are meant to last for many years. However, if patients notice pain, redness, swelling, or a crack in their implants, they should see the dentist as soon as possible.

Consider All-on-4 for your dental needs

Missing multiple teeth on a single arch does not have to mean getting used to permanent gaps in the smile. All-on-4 is an effective way to address large gaps or even entire missing arches of teeth, as everyone deserves to smile with confidence. Contact our office to ask about our All-on-4 procedure or schedule an appointment to get started.

Are you considering All-on-4 in the San Diego area? Get more information at https://www.torreyhillsperio.com.

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