All-on-4

Tooth decay and gum disease result in tooth loss for millions of Americans, and since the mid-1960s dental implants have provided a better alternative to traditional methods of replacing teeth.

With many advantages over regular dentures and bridges, implants quickly became a popular choice to replace one or more missing teeth. The only problem was that getting dental implants was a lengthy process. Then, in the late-90s, along came All-on-4 dental implants.

This major innovation took dental implant treatment and dentures to a new level, and individuals missing all their upper or lower teeth can now have their smile restored in a single day. In this post, with the help of Minneapolis Plymouth prosthodontist Metropolitan Prosthodontics, we’ll be taking a detailed look at All-on-4 dentures. And you’ll find answers to all the common questions that patients ask our prosthodontists about All-on-4 implants.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are widely recognized as the most stable and durable solution for tooth loss. A dental implant is a biocompatible rod – usually made of titanium – that goes into the socket of a missing tooth. A crown or other dental prosthetic is then attached to the implant.

The implant creates a synthetic tooth root by fusing with bone in the jaw in a process called osseointegration. With conventional dentures and bridges, jawbone deteriorates without the stimulus of a tooth root – like muscle atrophies without exercise. The root formed by a dental implant addresses this problem by promoting the healthy bone growth necessary to maintain facial structure and appearance.

What Are All-on-4 Implants?

If you’ve lost all your teeth in the upper or lower dental arch, the All-on-4 implant method typically supports all the replacement teeth with just four implants. The key to the All-on-4 system – developed by Nobel Biocare – is placement of two of the implants at an angle of 30 to 45 degrees rather than vertically.

These slanting posterior (rear) implants allow a bridge to be supported where jawbone is stronger at the front of the mouth. This in turn facilitates optimal support for the synthetic teeth. One or two additional implants may sometimes be needed in the upper jaw because of lower bone density.

What Does the All-on-4 Procedure Involve?

The All-on-4 denture procedure entails surgical insertion of four to six implants in the upper or lower jaw. These implants support a full dental bridge of 10 to 12 artificial teeth.

Ahead of the procedure, your prosthodontist will:

  • Examine your mouth and jaw with the help of X-rays or digital scans.
  • Assess jawbone density to determine optimal placement of the implants.
  • Take an impression of your mouth.
  • Send the mold to a dental lab to make the denture.

The procedure itself can in most cases be done with local anesthesia to numb the treatment area. The process generally takes about 2.5 hours and entails:

  • Cleaning the mouth.
  • Removing any damaged tissue.
  • Drilling openings for the implants to be inserted.
  • Inserting the implants.
  • Thoroughly cleaning the mouth again.
  • Stitching the incisions.

A temporary bridge is placed the same day as the All-on-4 procedure, so you walk out of the dental office with your smile fully intact and with the ability to enjoy your favorite foods again. The permanent denture will be placed a few months later. If you need to have teeth extracted before implant placement, this can usually be done the same day.

What Happens After the All-on-4 Procedure?

Discomfort after All-on-4 implant surgery may take the form of:

  • Soreness and some bleeding where the implants were placed.
  • Swelling.
  • Sore throat.
  • Stiff jaw.

These issues typically diminish within a week. Any discomfort can usually be managed with over-the-counter medication.

Steps to Help Recovery

Measures to encourage faster healing and help recovery after All-on-4 treatment include:

  • Resume brushing your teeth – with a soft-bristled toothbrush – the day after the procedure.
  • Take it easy for the first three or four days before resuming normal activities.
  • Stick to a liquid diet for up to two weeks. Don’t use a straw – the sucking action can loosen blood clots.

Follow-Up Visits

With regular implants, it takes several months or longer for the implants to fuse with jawbone. With All-on-4 implants, the process tends to be much faster. During this time, your prosthodontist will monitor your recovery at follow-up appointments.

Taking Care of Your All-on-4 implants and denture

With a good standard of oral hygiene, All-on-4 implants can last a lifetime.

  • Brush at least twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
  • Use a low-abrasive toothpaste.
  • Floss daily to clean places between your teeth that your brush can’t reach.

Dentures attached to implants are made from durable materials but are still vulnerable to wear and tear from the pressure of biting and chewing. That said, an All-on-4 denture should last at least 10 to 15 years. Replacing the denture doesn’t involve disrupting the implants.

What Are the Benefits of All-on-4 Dentures?

All-on-4 dentures provide a fast solution to tooth loss, and they look and function like real teeth – your smile will be rejuvenated in a day and you’ll be able to eat what you like. Because the All-on-4 procedure is less invasive than getting standard dental implants, recovery and healing are also faster.

Unlike traditional dentures, All-on-4 dentures are fixed in place permanently. This avoids the inconvenience of removable dentures – having to constantly take them out for cleaning and soaking. And there’s no messy dental adhesive. A further benefit of All-on-4 implants is that they preserve facial appearance because the artificial tooth roots promote bone growth as the implants become part of your jaw.

Avoiding a Bone Graft

Strong, healthy jawbone is needed in order to get regular dental implants. This means a bone graft is sometimes necessary –an invasive, time-consuming, and expensive procedure. With All-on-4 dentures, there’s usually no need for a bone graft because the implants are placed in a way that takes advantage of stronger bone at the front of the jaw.

Is an All-on-4 Denture Right for You?

Anyone healthy enough for a routine tooth extraction is a potential candidate for dental implants. An All-on-4 denture is a good option if you need to replace all or most of your upper or lower teeth. You may also want to consider All-on-4 dentures if your existing dentures are causing problems such as constantly slipping out of place.

Your Plymouth Prosthodontist

As specialists in aesthetic restorative dentistry, Metropolitan Prosthodontics in Plymouth MN have kept a close eye on – and kept up to speed with – advances in dental implant technology and techniques, including implant-supported hybrid dentures. Call us at 763-559-7600 or contact us online to schedule a consultation and find out whether All-on-4 dentures are your best teeth replacement option.