All-On-4 dental implants is a term used to describe a procedure in which four dental implants are placed to anchor artificial teeth. All-On-4 implant-supported dentures supports the whole jaw or arch on top of four strategically placed dental implant post-anchors. Implant-supported dentures (also called implant-anchored dentures) are complete-arch denture prosthetics fixed into the jaw, typically using four or more dental implants per arch. Implant-supported dentures offer greater stability than a traditional denture because they are held together by the natural jawbone as well as by implants rather than by the gums or sticky denture adhesives.
Additionally, implant-supported dentures typically require less bone density than other dental implant options, which can make them a good choice for patients looking to avoid invasive and often costly bone-grafting procedures. For example, there is no need to use adhesives to hold your dentures in place like traditional dentures, since dental implants hold your artificial teeth securely. Removable dentures are most commonly provided for patients who have lost some or all of their teeth and cannot afford dental implants. If you decide to receive a removable denture instead of an implant, you are free to remove the teeth from your mouth whenever you like.
If you do not have any natural teeth, you can still achieve the same comfort, appearance, and bite that you would have with permanent dentures using All-On-4 implants. One major advantage of All-On-4 is that you can maintain your implants appearance with only regular brushing and flossing. Just as you would do for your natural teeth, routine daily oral hygiene and dental cleaning every half year is generally all that is needed to keep your implants clean.
Once we are able to confirm through dental X-rays that your implants are securely in place, we can proceed with making your permanent dentures. When the time comes for you to get your permanent dentures, we will attach buttons to the implants, which will extend past the gums. When it is time for you to have a permanent denture, you will come back into our office, we will attach some extensions to four implants, and we will drill some holes in your denture so that these attachments can go through. To ensure that the latching-on denture is successful, typically, we will place anywhere from 4-6 implants depending on the condition of your bone crest.
The denture is designed so that it can snap onto the implants for maximum stability and confidence, which is why we call them latching-on dentures. All-On-4 implants enable the patient to replace their teeth with an affordable, reliable procedure, as well as avoiding the long-term procedures and limitations of traditional dentures. All-on-4 dental implants allow your missing teeth to be replaced with an effective, secure procedure, and allow you to avoid lengthy procedures and conventional dentures. Minimally invasive surgery allows for a full replacement of a missing upper or lower jaw arch using four implants placed strategically into your jawbone.
When all of your upper and lower teeth are replaced by implants-supported dentures, the procedure is usually called a complete oral reconstruction (or complete jaw reconstruction). Conventional full dentures are dentures made of tissues supported by teeth, and are made when an individual has lost all their teeth and needs replacements to rebuild their structure and function. Conventional removable dentures have a number of limitations which make them unsuitable for permanently restoring the structure and function of lost natural teeth. Whether patients are looking for a safer, more comfortable alternative to their removable dentures, or they just want all their teeth replaced (upper and/or lower) with one complete-arch replacement that looks, feels, and functions like natural teeth, custom-made implants dentures often provide the ultimate treatment solution.
All-on-4 implants look and function just like natural teeth – this makes them a great alternative to dentures, which can often appear unnatural. To properly support the whole dental arch using just 4 implants, there is a special protocol used for placing only 4 implants. The All-On-4 system is able to support a complete arch, with two implants slightly inclined to the rear, and two implants pointed forward. Generally, two straight implants will be placed in the front of the jaw, with two implants remaining attached securely in the back of the jaw at an angle.
Designed to maximize use of existing bone tissue, the All-On-4 concept requires just four implants placed at strategic angles initially. When installed on top of four implants, an All-On-4 hybrid denture extends across the top of the gums, going from one side of your mouth to the other. Because the All-on-4 implants do not cover your upper jaw, you get the natural taste of food, and can bite down easier.
Because All-on-4 generally requires less implants to support the denture, this technique often saves patients the need for bone grafting procedures. By reducing the number of implants required with All-On-4, more patients are eligible to receive implants for teeth support across the entire mouth, since fewer surgeries are required for implants and a bone graft. More traditional procedures usually need a bone graft, which will add to the overall cost, but All-On-Four implant technique attempts to make maximum use of available bone.
Dental implants restore sensation in surrounding bone that is typically provided by the actual root of a tooth, prevent the bone from losing mass, and provide a strong anchorage point for replacement teeth. Once your oral health has been optimized, implants can be placed to support your restoration.
You will need to place the removable dentures in a bowl of clean water out of the mouth when you are asleep. After the implants have fully healed, your final denture prosthesis can securely set into the inside of your mouth to restore a nice, natural-looking smile.
