An all-on-4 implant procedure is an implant method where four dental implants secure an entire arch or denture. The All-on-4 treatment is a way of securing a denture to the jaw using only four implants rather than six. This may be appealing financially and cosmetically (due to fewer visible implants in the mouth).
To be considered a candidate for All on 4 dental implants, you must have excellent overall health and be free of drug addictions or dependencies. It is recommended to avoid smoking at least 6 weeks before treatment since nicotine can negatively affect bone healing around titanium implants. People who cannot quit smoking might have an increased risk of implant failure, causing the person to require additional procedures such as bone grafting later, which will increase expenses. If you do not stop smoking, it is more likely that you will experience a greater risk of implant failure and may require more complicated bone grafting procedures.
In addition to being healthy, having a height within normal limits may help ensure that enough bone mass will be present to support the implants during treatment. Although most patients who do not have jaw deformities can benefit from this treatment option, All-on-4 dental implants cannot be used in everyone who needs dentures or full mouth teeth replacement. Sometimes jaw size and shape issues prevent us from recommending this procedure. As with most dental implant treatments, there are associated risks, such as infections around the implant itself. Also, sometimes titanium implants fail to bond to the bone, which would require additional surgery at a later date. Finally, one should remember that the All-on-4 dental implant procedure is not a treatment for jaw problems such as TMJ disorders and other issues in the temporomandibular joint or TMD.
The All-on-4 procedure is an option for people who need full mouth teeth replacement (dentures) but do not have sufficient bone to place multiple implants. The technique requires only four titanium screws to hold dentures firmly and two implants down the road to secure single-tooth bridges.
The main benefit of this approach is that it does not require very much bone, just enough bone height to allow placement of the 4 implants and for your gums to attach firmly. The treatment is suitable for both upper and lower jaws. The All-on-4 implants are placed first, and after two to three months, the patient will need the top teeth or full dentures secured. This procedure can be performed at once or over time, depending on your needs and budget constraints. Please note that it is possible that one of the four implants used to secure your denture might not fuse properly with your jawbone, but this does not always happen.
The four titanium screws are low-profile implants which means they are tiny compared to standard dental implant sizes. They are usually inserted into front upper and lower jaws, though some surgeons may choose different locations based on where you have sufficient bone height for them to be fixed in place safely. It would help if you also remembered that you might need more than 4 implants even without this treatment due to bone loss or other issues.
The All-on-4 procedure is one of the most popular choices for full-mouth teeth replacement, so it is no surprise that many testimonials are available over the internet from very satisfied patients who have had this treatment option. The reason for their satisfaction is obvious: they can get new teeth without having additional surgeries! Also, many doctors will provide free consultations so if you are interested in learning more about this affordable solution, contact your dentist at the earliest.