Planning to opt for all-on-four-dental-implants? Here’s everything that you should know

posted in: Dental Implant | 0
all on four dental implant

Often referred to as full-arch fixed implant bridges or all-on-four-dental-implants, the treatment is gaining popularity due to rising awareness.

What’s the all-on-4-dental-implants procedure?

A single dental implant process involves replacing the damaged tooth root with a titanium screw that fits and dissolves in the jaw bone. However, when it comes to all-on-four-dental-implants, four titanium screws are fixed in the upper and lower jaw. Then, dentures/bridges with artificial teeth are attached to the screws for restoring full chewing power.

Preliminary procedures before planting implants

Before the all-on-four-dental-implants surgical procedure, dental care experts recommend periodontal treatment and tooth extractions if necessary. Contaminated teeth need to be removed. Plus, some patients may also need scaling and root planing. Thus, the preliminary procedure may be different for each patient. Once the mouth becomes infection-free, the dental care expert schedules the surgical procedure for getting dental implants in place. Temporary dentures are placed, and once the bone heals within three to six months, a final prosthesis can be mounted. In some cases, patients may get their permanent dentures fixed on the day of surgery itself.

Post-procedure care

The dental care team gives specific hygiene instructions to patients as per health requirements. After the all-on-four-dental-implants surgical procedure, you can simply use salt water to rinse your mouth for a day. Later, dental implants need brushing and flossing, just like natural teeth. A water flosser or a special appliance can help in cleaning the areas around implants properly.

All-on-4 dental-implants procedure recovery time is lesser compared to individual implants that need between three to eight months for recovery. All-on-4 can fuse with jaw bone easily and offer better stability to patients while they eat.

Surgeons recommend pain-management medication to ensure the patient does not feel discomfort in case of minor swelling, bruising, or bleeding during the first few days after undergoing an all-on-four-dental-implants surgical procedure.

Patients are recommended to eat soft foods and opt for a liquid diet during the first two to three months post-surgery. Excessive exercises and smoking are a strict NO during this period.

Do patients require bone grafting while undergoing the all-on-four-dental-implants process?

Some individuals have less bone and wider smiles. More work might be needed to ensure the patient gets teeth in the back. Thus, they may require bone grafting and sinus grafting to rebuild the lost bone. These cases need a longer duration for completion and recovery in all-on-four-dental-implants treatment.

Five implants instead of four

All-on-four is the buzzword; however, some patients may need five or even six. That’s because they grind their teeth, and four implants may not be enough to offer the strength required to hold the denture. In such a situation, more implants can help.

Is the procedure painful?

The all-on-four-dental-implants process may involve removing a fair amount of teeth. But most dentists suggest their patients rarely complain about pain. Modern technology and sedation techniques assist dentists in revamping a smile, with minimal pain possible.

How long can all-on-four-dental-implants last?

Some dentures may need a replacement in eight years. Thus, a lot depends on the implant base and material. Studies have pointed out that patients who take care of oral health and follow dentist’s instructions can expect these implants to last for at least ten years.

The price factor

The all-on-four-dental-implants treatment cost depends on several factors, including the number of implants and base and framework materials used in implants. Acrylic resin base, combined with a titanium framework and porcelain dentures, is one of the most appreciated combinations. However, it is best to let your dental office select the materials suitable for your oral health. You can expect the procedure cost to be between $20,000 and $ 40,000 or above.

Implants with standard acrylic material can help in reducing the all-on-four-dental-implants treatment cost compared to long-lasting porcelain.

Saving natural teeth is often the priority

Most dentists do not believe in merely pulling all the teeth and placing implants when there’s no necessity to do so. During the consultation before planning the all-on-four-dental-implants treatment, dentists take a 3D scan and x-rays to determine the damage that existing teeth face. If the patient has an adorable smile and is missing just a few teeth in the back, one or two implants can help complete the smile.

Comparison with dentures

Dentures have plastic that prevents patients from tasting things, and it covers the roof of the mouth. Plus, there’s a lot of glue, chemicals, and adhesives used to ensure it does not move around. Patients hate it when dentures dislodge and fall on the floor while laughing or talking. All-on-four assures patients that they have something stable. When they laugh or talk, they won’t have to worry about something that’s clanking around. Opting for the all-on-four-dental-implants process means they also won’t have anything covering the mouth’s upper area.

People living with discomfort and hassles due to dentures

Stats suggest roughly 40 million people in the US have multiple missing teeth. In the age group 65-74, approximately 30 percent of adults have no natural teeth at all. These individuals face hassles of dentures daily. Thus, several of them consider opting for all-on-four-dental-implants.

If you are searching for a Roswell (GA) based dental clinic with expertise and technology for all-on-four-dental-implants, you should fix an appointment at TruCare Dentistry. The clinic has protocols in place for ensuring staff and patient safety during the coronavirus pandemic.