What Is All-On-4®?

Traditionally, dentures have been removable and take a long time to fabricate from the dental lab. They will start to not fit well over time because there are no teeth or implants to preserve the surrounding bone structure. If you have lost too much bone mass, your jaw may not be able to successfully support the denture anymore. The All-on-4® treatment uses only four implants to support your replacement teeth. The success of this treatment is not in the number of implants, but rather in their placement. Two implants are placed vertically at the front of the jaw, where there is naturally more bone mass. The other two implants are placed at the back of the jaw, each inserted at a higher angle to span a longer distance. This angle maximizes contact between the implants and your existing jawbone, increasing the chances for successful osseointegration.

What Is A Dental Implant?

Dental implants are a modern alternative to traditional tooth replacement treatments. They can be used to replace any number of missing teeth, from a single tooth to an entire arch. This treatment relies on small titanium posts that are surgically implanted into your jawbone. The bone fuses to the dental implants, integrating them into the jaw in a process known as osseointegration. Successful osseointegration turns the implants into roots that securely anchor your replacement teeth in place.

Why Do I Need All-On-4® Dental Implants?

Most patients who need full arch solutions have multiple problems with their teeth or have had missing back teeth for a long time. Missing teeth for an extended period leads to less bone in these areas and necessitates significant bone grafting or sinus lifts. In many cases, there is a combination of unhealthy remaining teeth and the loss of many back teeth. Some patients have suffered through wearing conventional dentures for years and want an arch of teeth that are fixed in place and don't need to be removed. All-on-4® dental implants are sometimes reserved as a last-case scenario when all other options of saving teeth are not possible or cannot maintain an entire arch of teeth.

What Are The Benefits Of All-On-4®?

• Faster treatment: Compared to traditional procedures, All-on-4 offers a significantly faster timeline, providing new teeth in a day.
• Improved speech and eating: Fixed teeth improve chewing ability and speech compared to removable dentures.
• Enhanced confidence: A natural-looking smile can boost self-esteem and quality of life.
• Durability: Implants are long-lasting and require less maintenance than traditional dentures.
• Avoid traditional dentures: Traditional dentures dislodge easily, move around while eating, and can create sore spots in the mouth very easily.

All-on-4 Dental Implants: Replacing Teeth in a Day

All-on-4 is a minimally invasive procedure that uses four strategically placed dental implants to support a full arch (upper or lower) of fixed, non-removable replacement teeth. This means you can have a brand new smile in a single day, without the need for multiple surgeries or extended healing periods.

How does it work?

Consultation and planning: An initial consultation determines if you're a good candidate. X-rays and a CT scan assess your jawbone health and suitability for implants.

Surgery: Dr. Thomas will remove any remaining teeth and place dental implants into your jawbone, typically two at the front and two at the back at an angled position to maximize bone contact and increase the stability of your new teeth.

Temporary teeth: Temporary teeth are attached to the implants the same day as surgery while your body heals around the implants.

Permanent teeth: After healing (usually 3-6 months), your permanent teeth, typically a fixed hybrid denture, are attached to the implants. The standard material is monolithic zirconia, which means that one solid piece of material is milled and baked in an oven for maximal strength. Other options of material are available, including 3d printed prosthetics.

Considerations

Cost: All-on-4 can be more expensive than traditional dentures due to the use of implants and specialized techniques.

Suitability: Not everyone is a candidate. Factors like jawbone health, overall health, and oral hygiene play a role.

Procedure and healing: Surgery and healing involve some discomfort and require careful aftercare routines.