Only in the United States 178 million people suffer from tooth loss. With this figure, you can get a rough figure in your mind on the number of people that have missing teeth in the world.

Edentulism–loss of one or more teeth, can have psychological repercussions on the patients.

As it gradually changes the appearance of a person, it may have serious emotional effects.

To restore missing teeth and lost confidence, researchers and professionals invented an efficient treatment alternative known as All-on-4 dental implants.

In this article, we have gathered all information on All-on-4 dental implants to help our readers explore their options.

What Are All-On-4 Dental Implants?

All-On-4 dental implants, sometimes referred to as pro-arch, teeth-in-a-day, or full-mouth implants, include the simultaneous implantation of four or six implant fixtures into each jaw.

The dentists put a bridge prosthesis over each fixture on the same day.

That bridge connects with the jawbone to give the patient a complete set of teeth that day.

Treatment for implant-supported prostheses in some fully edentulous patients was nearly impossible.

To give them the smile they wanted, the dentists used procedures including nerve transposition and grafting in the mandible and posterior maxilla.

In the present day, the All-on-4 dental implants idea offers a solution for the earlier discussed situations.

The technique of All-on-4 dental implants promotes tilting distal implants in edentulous arches.

That enables the specialists to insert longer implants and provide better prosthetic support with a shorter cantilever arm.

In addition, All-on-4 implants provide better anchorage in the bone and inter-implant distance.

All-on-4 Dental Implants: The Distinguishing Mark

Now that you know what are All-on-4 dental implants, let's see how they differ from traditional ones.

The typical dental implants, made to replace only a single tooth, are not the same as those used in the All-on-4 implants.

The implant's exposed top section substitutes the artificial tooth of a standard implant with a customized cap-shaped tip.

However, the implant's inside-the-bone component is practically the same. With a corresponding set of four receptacles on the underside, these four tips are a physical link between the prosthetic teeth and the jaw.

When the patient chews or speaks after the treatment, it seems much more natural because of the strong, physical bond between the implants and the new teeth.

Furthermore, to get the typical implants, the patients need to show up for examination a couple of times.

After numerous sittings, the dentists give them the traditional implants to improve their smiles.

In contrast, even if the patient needs several teeth replacements, the All-on-4 implants are less complicated.

All-on-4 implants replace the complete upper or lower dental plate, whereas the traditional dental implant just replaces a single tooth.

Due to that, replacing several teeth with conventional implants takes longer and requires more effort.

Fundamentally, All-on-4 implants are the best choice for patients who don't want dentures.

All-on-4 Dental Implants vs. Traditional Implants: Which One is Better?

Here are the features where All-on-4 dental implants have the upper hand on traditional implants:

Minimize or get rid of bone resorption
Less expensive overall than traditional implant treatments
Shorten the recovery period
Produce incredible results
Allows for replacement teeth to be placed in one day
Long-lasting and guaranteed to make you happy forever

All-on-4 Dental Implants Procedure: Step-By-Step Breakdown

The process of receiving all-on-four dental implants is a complex task made easy by skillful dentists.

To be a perfect candidate for all-on-4 dental implants, the individual should pass this checklist:

Be committed to the process
Shouldn't have any oral disease
The bone structure must be right
Shouldn't smoke

If the patient is certain that All-on-4 implants are the best option for them, they can find the best dentist to start the treatment.

Following are the steps of the process:

1.A Comprehensive Examination: Pre-Surgery Steps

The patient undergoes the phase of checkup and consultation before the All-on-4 implant surgery starts.

The dentist will also have a thorough discussion about your goals with you during the consultation.

Dentists tailor an ultimate plan after knowing about the health condition of the patients.

Also, they inform them about the advantages and risks of All-on-4 dental implants in a specific case.

This is an essential step in the procedure for patients as they can decide whether All-on-4 implants are for them based on their general health and well-being.

Gaining Information through Scans

This includes collecting digital 3D scans, x-rays, and physical examinations of the patient's mouth.

Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans and some X-rays may be used in this step.

Computed tomography, a type of medical imaging scan, uses X-rays. When an X-ray cannot provide the precise area that needs to be scanned, professionals use a divergent pyramidal or cone-shaped is the origin of ionizing radiation.

This is directed through the center of the region of interest and onto an area X-ray detector on the other side.

Aside from that, the dentists do an analysis of their dental health and past medical history.

These tests ensure that the dentists fix and identify any underlying problems before the All-on-4 dental implant procedure begins.

Why Do Patients Need a Clean Bill on Medical History?

Individuals with uncontrolled diabetes are not suitable candidates since their illness impedes the healing process. Because of that, the chances of successful outcomes are reduced.

Similarly, individuals with uncontrolled hypertension may have adverse effects because of the surgical process.

Lastly, smoking hinders the process of healing, which makes it bad for All-on-4 dental implants.

Preparing the Patient

Prior to starting, a local anesthetic will totally numb the affected areas. That ensures that the patient has no discomfort during the treatment, just a little pressure or vibration.

2.Implant Placement: Starting the Surgical Treatment

At the onset of the procedure, dentists make small incisions into the gums, where they introduce the titanium posts.

The relevant teeth will first undergo the extractions. Next, the dentist carefully inserts All-On-4 dental implants into the jaw bone after ensuring they have a proper size.

Basically, With the All-on-4 dental implants technique, the mouth's top and bottom arches receive four implants in a vertical alignment. Mostly, two are positioned in the front of the mouth and two in the molar area.

On placement of the All-on-4 dental implants, a steeper angle allows better stability as they come in close proximity to the jaw bone.

The titanium screws provide the prosthetic teeth with a sturdy base. Once inserted, a procedure known as osseointegration will take three to six months for them to completely fuse with the bone.

The individual has to wear implant-supported dentures throughout this period until the implants are strong enough to support permanent prostheses.

Abutment Placement

Shortly after the complete fusion of the implants with the jawbone, the dentists attach tiny pieces of material known as abutments to the implant posts.

Afterwards, a dental lab will take impressions of the mouth, which will be used to produce a personalized prosthesis.

3.Final Prosthesis: Last Step of the Surgery

The prosthetic teeth will firmly attach to the implants through these abutments, which function as attachment points.

Usually, after 4-6 months, dentists attach them in a way that they blend flawlessly with the natural teeth.

The patient can return to the dentist's office for another set of impressions, which will help create the final prosthesis after the healing process.

To adjust the fit of the new prosthesis to fit the curves of the fully healed gums and implants, the dentist will remove the temporary prosthesis and take moulds of the gums and implants.

The dentists replace the temporary prosthesis when the final version is ready.

The permanent prosthesis might be fixed in place or detachable based on what the dentist and patient think is most suitable.

Dentists fasten the tailored prosthesis firmly to the implants' abutments.

The process finishes the moment dentists attach the final prosthesis, and the patient may enjoy their new permanent replacement teeth.

Post Surgery: How to Clean All-on-4 Dental Implants

Maintaining All-on-4 dental implants is not as difficult as many people think. The patients can do it by following their existing dental hygiene routines.

The practices are brushing twice a day, flossing, and using a good mouthwash at least once a day.

The patient will need to adhere to the typical instructions for oral hygiene following surgery.

In addition to instructions on how to keep your mouth clean to promote healing and speedy recovery, you will receive prescriptions for painkillers as needed. The dentist will arrange follow-up appointments as needed to assess the patient's progress.

To give the implants time to integrate and fuse with the surrounding jaw bone completely, the patient should consume only soft foods for the first few months following the treatment.

The composite used to produce dental implants is incredibly strong and effective at creating a stable, secure link with the organic material that makes up bone.

After roughly three to four months, this bonding process is normally finished. At this point, the patient can resume including harder foods into their diet, such as raw veggies and nuts.

Benefits of All-on-4 Dental Implants

The advantages of All-on-4 dental implants are explained below:

1.Stabilize Jaw Bones

Do you know that when you lose your teeth, your jaw can begin to deteriorate?

Yes, this is a natural phenomenon known as bone resorption.

The jawbone starts to shrink when a tooth is lost. This is because the tooth root was causing adequate bone mass to be preserved by promoting the bone remodelling process.

When a person loses a tooth, less bone is required there.

Consequently, the bone begins to deteriorate because it is being absorbed more quickly than it is being replenished.

Bone resorption typically begins around six months after a tooth is lost.

So, your teeth play a major role in strengthening the jaw.

By exerting pressure and strengthening it through chewing, the jaw becomes strong.

Sadly, dentures can't really help with that.

The metal implants stimulate the roots of teeth.

All-on-4 dental implants will allow you to control the damage, and your face won't look gaunt or unhappy.

2.Boosts Confidence

Once a patient gets All-on-4 dental implants, they get a transformed smile for the rest of their lives.

All-on-4 dental implants are for people who feel embarrassed and whose self-esteem is declining sharply as their teeth deteriorate over time.

Or, it is for people who are trying their best but can’t acclimate to their dentures.

All-on-4 dental implants kill two birds with one stone by giving them verbal clarity and a nice smile.

Patients who have had all-on-4 dental implants say their confidence has rejuvenated.

With proper care, these implants stay in the mouth for a lifetime without causing any issues.

3.Lesser Limitations

Eating and speaking becomes an uphill battle when a person is missing the majority of their teeth.

When they wear dentures, they can talk and chew somewhat normally, but they still experience denture slippage and meal restriction dental implants.

Also, even with the greatest adhesive, dentures may move despite appearing fixed. It becomes troublesome to speak and eat because of the rubbing from this contact.

Patients may find themselves in a fix when pronouncing some letters on getting dental implants.

And honestly, eating will seem awkward in the beginning.

However, once your implants heal, people can speak normally and consume all of their favourite foods.

4.Fast Healing Process

Speaking of the healing process, All-on-4 dental implants heal instantaneously.

While there will be some sensitivity throughout this process, you should be able to resume most of your normal activities in about a week without the need for strong painkillers.

Not that there is nothing bad in using over-the-counter anti-inflammatories if you want or if the doctor suggests it.

Your dentist can guide you through the recovery process and offer suggestions for the best post-op diets and treatments to ensure a speedy and painless recovery.

5.High Success Rate

The success rate of All-on-4 dental implants is above 90%.

Recent studies supported the All-on-4 dental implants idea and emphasized that when planning a fixed rehabilitation in an edentulous maxilla utilizing four implants.

The results depend on aspects like the patient's habits, the length of the expected cantilever, and the quality of the bone.

Since the All-on-4 dental implants require a surgical procedure, always search for a dentist who has experience in related work.

Besides that, the patients should be on the same page as the doctor on the pre-treatment methods to avoid any inconvenience.

After going through what are All-on-4 dental implants and their benefits, it’s time to move to the next important topic.

All-on-4 Dental Implants Cost

It is true that the patients should have an exact figure in mind to make a budget for the All-on-4 dental implants.

Yet, they should let the dental All-on-four implants cost be the deciding factor.

Although some insurance companies consider implants cosmetic, they may pay for some of the underlying treatments.

If you have dental insurance, get in touch with your provider to find out if they cover all-on-4 implants or dentures.

Get an itemized list of all the costs from your dentist and make a rough dental budget so that you may arrange financing.

The all-on-four dental implants final cost will depend on many factors, such as:

Prosthetic type
Cost of extraction or bone grafting

Generally speaking, the cost of All-on-4 dental implants lies between $15,000 and $30,000 for an entire arch.

To assist with the cost of your all-on-4 dental implants, ask your dentist about the financing options and payment schedules they provide.

Good payment options may make the dental clinic of your choice the cheapest place to get all-on-4 dental implants.

Learn more: Dental Implant Prices: The Cost For Seniors At Bridgeport Dental

FAQs

Do patients need anesthesia for All-on-4 dental implants?

The dentists use sedation to handle discomfort, phobia, or anxiety.

What is the most common material for all-on-4 dental implants?

They are made of titanium as it is more suitable for human physiology.

How much will all four dental implants cost on average?

Depending on the kind of replacement, the implants would cost around $15,000-30,000.

For how long do the side effects of the treatment stay?

Side effects like sore throat, stiff jaw, and swelling can last for 7 to 14 days.

In a Nutshell

All in all, getting all-on-four dental implants is a serious task at hand; they may drastically enhance your quality of life.

Ask questions, do your research, and evaluate your time and financial resources to see if all-on-4 dental implants are the best option for you.

Go over the treatment plan several times until you are certain that you can devote your precious time and money to achieving the smile of your dreams.

If you still can’t find the direction, come to KWC Dental for wise counsel.

All-on-4 Dental Implants: A Life-Changing Treatment