Should You Get All on 4 Dental Implants?
What are All On 4 Dental Implants?
All on 4 is a name that refers to the process of attaching a denture permanently to the jaw using 4 dental implants.
The process has changed much over the years and may not even be 4 implants, but the name was catchy, so it stuck around.
Another name for them is implant supported dentures. These however are not always a full denture as implants can be used to support partials as well.
The prosthetic or teeth on All on 4s are fixed or non-removable.
Why Consider All on 4 Dental Implants?
There are approximately 30,000,000 people in Canada and the United States who struggle daily with their dentures. A majority suffers a great deal of discomfort as a result of loose or ill-fitting dentures.
Many denture wearers simply withdraw from any type of social engagement as a result of being compelled to wear them.
Moreover, it is not uncommon for family members to complain about a denture wearer's disagreeable breath as a result of food being trapped and decaying under their dental plate.
Successful placement of the All on 4 system may solve many of these social and practical problems and concerns.
Another benefit of an All on 4 upper arch is the absence of the upper plate covering the roof of your mouth. This allows patients to once again have all the sensation and taste they were used to before wearing dentures.
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How Strong Are All On 4's
The bottom line is, if a denture patient has sufficient bone mass to create a rock-hard placement of the implants, which your dentist will be able to determine by an initial examination, the all on 4 implants will generally withstand the normal biting forces, just like natural teeth.
The jaw is marvellously designed to adequately withstand the biting force created by the jaw bone and muscles.
Mankind has been struggling for centuries to come up with some type of metal or metallic element that can efficiently withstand those forces. Most have been outright failures.
However, approximately thirty-five years ago some doctors around the world began experimenting with titanium alloy as a potential dental medium. Titanium is an extremely strong metal used in the construction of aircraft and aircraft engines, one of the strongest metals on earth.
Most dental implants now contain a titanium alloy that is 64% stronger that pure titanium.
Fractures are extremely rare, but as is the case with a person's normal teeth, can occur.
How Long Do All on 4's Last?
Dental implants are extremely efficient functioning as long-term supporting structures. In fact, some have been successfully functioning in patients' jaws for several decades.
It must be recognized that all implant systems, as well as natural teeth, are subject to potential failure due to natural causes, including osteoporosis, poor oral hygiene, wear and tear attrition, poor health, heavy stressful biting habits, and lack of follow-up dental maintenance care.
All on 4 implants do not carry any actual, or implied, guarantee of longevity. However, case failures involving dental implants are extremely rare.
All on 4s could last a lifetime with proper dental care.
What Does the Procedure Involve?
The total process is actually split into four parts.
You start with a 30-minute consultation, so the dentist can determine bone density and structure, the dentist will also explain the rest of the procedure and answer any questions you may have.
Patients will then book their appointment to have the implants placed. Usually only one arch is done at a time, but both can be done in some cases.
As a general rule dental implants require 3-6 months to heal in the lower jaw and 4-6 months in the upper jaw.
After the dental implants have healed, 4-10 weeks for the completion of the attached teeth. There also can be quite a bit of pre-dental implant work that may need to be done, up to 8 weeks' worth.
You typically will always have some sort of teeth to wear throughout the entire process, usually fixed in place as the type of implant used in All on 4s are designed as an immediate load implant. This means you can attach a provisional denture to the implants during the same implant installation surgery.
Other Benefits of All on 4 Dental Implants
Improve Your Overall Health
All on 4 Dental Implants can help improve more than just your oral health. Dental health is scientifically linked to heart health. The removal of infected teeth and the placement of dental implants can help address gum and heart disease, together. Also, when you are able to eat healthier foods, like raw fruits and vegetables, you can enjoy a healthier, well-balanced diet.
Get Back Your Confidence
Dealing with chronic dental problems may have affected more than just your dental health over time. Things like smiling for photos, kissing your spouse, and laughing without reservation can be some of the most valuable benefits of replacing your teeth with All on 4s. Helping you regain the confidence to reclaim the life you want.
Look as Young as You Feel
Once you lose teeth your bone loss begins in your jaw. This can eventually cause a sunken-in look that can contribute to you looking older than you really are. The dental implants used in all on 4s help keep your jawbone strong and help maintain the natural shape of your face.
So, Are All On 4 Dental Implants For You?
The only way to tell for sure is to come in for your APPOINTMENT. We can discuss your needs and find out if you are a candidate. If so we will give you all the costs and options before we begin any work. If not we will give you other options available that may work for your situation.