The purpose of dental implants is to replace the roots of missing teeth. So does that mean you need an implant for every single lost tooth? Not necessarily. In fact, thanks to the innovative All-on-4 technique, our Worcester oral surgery team may be able to replace a full arch of missing teeth with as few as four implant posts. This streamlined approach to care might help you recomplete your smile in record time! Continue reading below to learn more about it, and then contact any of our locations to request a consultation. We look forward to answering your questions!
How Do All-on-4 Dental Implants Work?
After a careful planning process, we perform All-on-4 surgery. During this appointment, we often are able to accomplish three things:
- We extract any remaining natural teeth.
- We insert the dental implants at precise, pre-planned locations. With All-on-4, we typically place two dental implants toward the front of the mouth and two at the back at a 45-degree angle. This strategy utilizes areas of the bone that are naturally strong and thick.
- We attach a provisional (temporary) denture to the implants.
After a healing period, your general dentist or prosthodontist can replace the provisional denture with a permanent restoration.
Am I a Candidate for All-on-4 Dental Implants?
You might be a suitable candidate for All-on-4 dental implant treatment if:
- You are missing all or most of your teeth throughout one of your dental arches.
- Your jawbone is strong enough to support dental implants.
- You do not have active gum disease or other conditions that might interfere with your treatment’s success.
- You have good habits that will support the long-term success of your new smile.
If you are unsure whether All-on-4 treatment is right for you, visit our team for a consultation. Most patients who want this treatment can qualify for it.
Benefits of All-on-4 Dental Implants
Some of the most outstanding benefits of All-on-4 dental implants include:
- Strength and stability. You can expect to enjoy a strong bite force that can enable you to eat virtually any food, including items that are challenging to consume with traditional dentures.
- All-on-4 dentures are carefully designed to look as natural as possible.
- All-on-4 dentures are permanently attached to the underlying implants, so in many ways, you can treat them just like natural teeth.
- Jawbone preservation. Following the extraction of natural teeth, the jawbone starts to deteriorate. Dental implants can stop that process and keep your jaw healthy and strong.
All-on-4 vs. Traditional Dental Implants
Both All-on-4 treatment and traditional dental implants can provide sturdy, top-quality tooth replacement. However, there are some key differences between them:
- All-on-4 usually requires just one surgery, whereas traditional implants often require two or more.
- All-on-4 is a streamlined process that may require less time overall than traditional implant procedures.
- Traditional dental implants are more versatile because they can replace any number of lost teeth. All-on-4 is exclusively for full-arch replacement.
Our team can help you compare the details of both traditional and All-on-4 implants so you can make a well-informed decision about how to rebuild your smile.
