The All-on-4® Treatment Concept is an effective way to restore your entire smile with fewer implants than you'd need for a normal implant procedure. All-on-4 implants are like regular implants in that they replace the roots of missing teeth with titanium posts that are inserted into the jawbone and allowed to fuse with surrounding bone tissue over a period of time.
The key difference between All-on-4 surgery and traditional implant procedures, however, is that all four posts are placed at once and don't require individual bone grafts from other parts of your mouth or body.
Get a Full Smile with All-on-4 Implants
All-on-4 implants are an effective way to restore your entire smile with fewer implants than you'd need for a normal implant procedure. All-on-4 implants are like regular implants in that they replace the roots of missing teeth with titanium posts that are inserted into the jawbone. However, there's no need for a second surgery to place individual crowns on each post. Instead, All-on-4 implants use four posts per arch and create single-piece crowns that fit over all four posts at once.
All-on-4 implants are like regular implants in that they replace the roots of missing teeth with titanium posts inserted within your bone. All-on-4 implants, however, do not require any additional grafts. In other words, if you have missing teeth and want to improve your smile, all you need is four titanium posts to replace your missing teeth' roots.
The result is a secure foundation for your new smile without having to undergo multiple surgeries or spend extra money on multiple crowns—a huge benefit when it comes time to smile!
How Long Do All-on-4 Implants Last?
All-on-4 implants can last for decades with proper maintenance. The longevity of your All-on-4 implants depends on many factors, including your oral hygiene and general health. Regular visits to the dentist will ensure that you maximize their lifespan; otherwise, they may begin to show signs of wear after only five years.
In general, All-on-4 implants are more durable than traditional implants. Because they use fewer parts and are generally smaller in size (unlike traditional dental implants), they're less likely to break down over time.
They're also more affordable than traditional dental implants because there's no need for additional surgeries or procedures like bone grafting—the implant itself is inserted during one surgery and takes care of everything else!
All-on-4 Implant Procedure
With All-on-4, four strategically placed posts support a dental bridge of replacement teeth. The posts are placed in the jawbone and then attached to the bridge, which supports the replacement teeth. The result is a permanent solution that looks and functions like natural teeth.
All-on-4 implants can be used in patients who've had bone loss due to tooth loss or trauma and aren't good candidates for traditional implants.
If you've had tooth loss or trauma, or if your jawbone is weak, have had surgery on the jaw, or have had teeth extracted, then All-on-4 may be able to help.
More All-on-4 Info
If your bone isn't strong enough for traditional implants and normal function hasn't returned to your jaw and mouth, then All-on-4 can help. This procedure uses four dental implants placed in optimal positions in the upper jaw instead of six conventional implants. This gives you more stability than a traditional implant and allows for more natural movement at the front of your mouth.
Traditional implant surgery requires two incisions—one above each ear—and three holes drilled into each side of each jawbone so that four conventional implants are placed vertically (one on each side). With All-on-4 there's only one incision made behind one ear that goes from earlobe to chin; there are no holes drilled into either side of any bones because only one set of (four) screws need to be inserted vertically through this single incision site.
What are the Benefits of All-On-4 Implants?
One of the best parts of All-on-4 implants is that it doesn't require a bone graft. This means you won't need any external devices and there's no need for a second operation. There's also no need for a second recovery period, which saves you time and money overall.
The other great thing about All-on-4 implant surgery is that it's minimally invasive, with far fewer complications than traditional dentures or dental implants without plates and screws. Additionally, because the procedure can be done from inside your mouth without exposing your gums to outside air or light (as in conventional denture fittings), there’s less risk of infection as well as less pain during treatment itself.
All-on-4 Implant Aftercare Tips
After you have your All-on-4 implant, your dentist will prescribe a recovery period during which you should follow these tips:
| • | Avoid smoking, alcohol and caffeine. Smoking is harmful to all types of oral health procedures and can cause problems with healing. Alcohol and caffeine can also interfere with natural healing processes, so avoid them until your mouth is fully healed. |
| • | Avoid foods that are hard or sticky, when possible, for up to three months after the procedure. Foods like raw carrots, popcorn kernels and peanut brittle may damage your new teeth if they get stuck between them while chewing on one side of your mouth—you don't want to have any of those removed! Stick with softer foods like applesauce or mashed potatoes while avoiding those difficult-to-chew items until things settle down between your new All-on-4 implant and the surrounding bone structure. |
| • | Don’t rinse hot water into the socket where an implant was inserted; use lukewarm or cold water instead. This reduces inflammation around the site where there should be no inflammation at all (but does increase it slightly around areas where there should be some). |
Contact Us to Learn More!
If you'd like to learn more about the All-on-4 or or have questions, please contact us today at Advanced Dental Associates.