If you are experiencing tooth loss or severe decay, All-on-4® implants could be the right solution. Trying to eat or speak with significant gaps in your mouth can be challenging and may cause you to avoid social situations. The All-on-4 implant treatment involves mounting all replacement teeth to four dental implants on the top and bottom of your mouth.
All-on-4 implants are available at Oak Tree Dental in Poway and the surrounding area. You can restore your smile and once again enjoy the proper function of your mouth. Call our office today at (858) 748-2101 to schedule an appointment and learn more.
Why patients should consider All-on-4
Instead of waiting for several months to get false teeth attached to the implants, patients can get them attached the same day. The process takes a shorter amount of time because it does not require bone grafts or a large number of implants. The All-on-4 implant process gives the patient natural-looking teeth and helps them feel at ease chewing, speaking, and socializing.
Fixed and removable teeth
A fixed full-arch restoration is attached to the implants and removed only by a dentist, while a removable denture is taken out by the patient. Each is a different way to replace a full arch of teeth. A dentist advises which option applies to a patient, including implant-supported dentures.
When patients are missing only a few teeth, treatments such as partial dentures, bridges, or traditional implants may be a better fit. However, people who come to our office for All-on-4 implants either have no teeth, or their teeth are failing. Also, if a patient has certain health conditions, a bone graft may not be recommended and this treatment may be a safer choice.
“The All-on-4 implant process gives the patient natural-looking teeth and helps them feel at ease chewing, speaking, and socializing.”
Candidacy for All-on-4
Before getting All-on-4 implants, patients will need to come to our office for a consultation and examination. This consultation will include X-rays, plus an evaluation of the patient's oral health and medical history. We will also take impressions and measurements of their teeth to customize the implants to fit the patient's exact jaw. All these steps allow us to determine candidacy and prep the patient for the procedure.
Upper and lower arch
The treatment can replace the upper teeth, the lower teeth or both. The dentist decides which arch or arches to treat after an examination and imaging. For patients replacing all of the teeth in an arch, the dentist explains the steps.
Virtually anyone who needs a set of completely new teeth can benefit from All-on-4 dental implants. For example, patients who have badly broken down or decayed teeth, congenitally missing teeth, teeth compromised by gum disease, or who have six or more missing teeth on a bridge may want to consider All-on-4 dental implants. Our dentists can determine what is best on a case-by-case basis.
“Our dentists can determine what is best on a case-by-case basis.”
Is All-on-4 right for you?
All-on-4 may be right for patients who have lost all or most of their teeth. It may also be a good choice for patients who need to have all of their teeth removed or those who have experienced bone loss.
When only some teeth are missing
Partial dentures replace some missing teeth and clasp onto the remaining natural teeth. All-on-4 is described for patients who have lost all or most of their teeth. When only some teeth are missing, the dentist examines the mouth and advises which treatment applies.
Advantages of All-on-4 implants
Since the titanium in the All-on-4 implants can fuse with the jawbone, they may last longer than other tooth-replacement options. Other benefits of All-on-4 implants include:
- A replacement option that is sturdier than other removable artificial teeth
- Easier to clean than removable tooth-replacement options
- Only needing to insert four implants into the jaw for an entire row of teeth
- The ability for patients to eat foods they love without too much restriction
Disadvantages of All-on-4 implants
While highly uncommon, All-on-4 implants may occasionally fail. This happens when the bone grows improperly around the implanted screw. In addition, some patients may experience:
- A difficulty in speech
- Tender gums and difficulty eating during the healing process
“All-on-4 may be right for patients who have lost all or most of their teeth.”
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Our team will send you home with specific aftercare instructions that you should follow exactly for proper healing and prevention of infection. Instructions commonly include brushing with a soft bristle toothbrush, sleeping with your head elevated and eating only soft foods. Immediately following the procedure you may be sore, have swelling and light bleeding. As always, call our office immediately if these symptoms get worse rather than subside.
The healing process
After the implants are placed, the bone in the jaw heals around them over several months. The dental team gives aftercare instructions, and regular checkups continue after the healing period. The implant procedure page explains each stage of treatment in more detail.
Patients should maintain proper care of the implants and their oral health. Just as with natural teeth, patients need to continue brushing and flossing daily. Regular dental checkups are essential. A dentist should routinely examine the implants and artificial teeth to ensure that everything looks the way it should.
“Patients should maintain proper care of the implants and their oral health. Just as with natural teeth, patients need to continue brushing and flossing daily.”
Questions answered on this page
Q. Who is a good candidate for All-on-4?
Q. What should you do after the procedure?
Q. Do I qualify for All-on-4 dental implants?
Q. What are the advantages and disadvantages of All-on-4?
People also ask
Q. How do I know which replacement option is right for me?
Q. What are the differences between implant supported dentures and removable dentures?
Frequently asked questions
The ideal candidate for the All-on-4 implant is someone who has already lost all or most of their teeth. Someone who has dentures may be the right fit for the All-on-4 implant. Other factors to consider can include age, oral health, and the state of the patient's teeth.
As mentioned earlier, some people experience speech issues after the All-on-4 procedure. This may be due to teeth that are too high or bulky, inadequate positioning of the anterior teeth, or air going through the prosthesis. We will do everything necessary to minimize these risks.
Dental implants are effective and long-lasting for both younger and older patients. Though patients of all ages may choose between dentures and dental implants, dental implants prevent bone loss and gum irritation.
On average, an All-on-4 surgery takes about four hours per arch. Once the implants are healed, it can take four to five dental appointments to make a final dental bridge.
You can begin drinking liquids immediately following the surgery. However, you should try to limit yourself to only cool drinks for the first 48 hours. Only drink hot drinks after all numbness has subsided and any bleeding has stopped. You will need to stick to a liquid diet for the first two weeks following the surgery.
You should still see a dentist twice a year for your bi-annual checkups. However, some patients may need to be seen more frequently than others. We can help determine what is best for you.
Denture terminology
The denture base is the part of the denture that connects the artificial teeth with the soft tissue of the gums.
A fixed full arch restoration is a common treatment option for edentulous patients who are missing either all or at least an entire arch of their teeth.
A fixed provisional bridge is a dental bridge that a dentist cements in place for a temporary amount of time to see if it works properly before making the bridge permanent.
Full arch rehabilitation involves using the All-on-4 to help patients maintain and use a new set of teeth that look natural.
Full arch treatment is the treatment process of replacing an entire arch of missing teeth and ensuring that everything fits properly.
A graftless procedure is a dental implant procedure that does not require the use of a bone graft prior to placing the dental implants.
Nobel Biocare is a company that manufactures dental implants and continues to innovate the market with new products and designs.
It is your turn
If you are missing teeth, consider All-on-4 implant surgery. Call us today at (858) 748-2101 to discuss your oral health needs. Join other patients in Poway and rediscover your smile and ability to eat the foods you love. You may also finally feel good about your overall appearance.
Individual results vary. How long a treatment lasts, and how it looks and feels, depends on each patient.