About one in six adults have no natural teeth. There are many possible causes and effects of this high statistic. Dentists have always been committed to helping those needing dentures with the best esthetic and functional replacements.
In the past, this primarily involved improving the materials used in making dentures. However, dental implants have recently brought an ideal solution. All-On-Four dental implants can benefit those missing several or all of their teeth with their many advantages.
A dental implant is a small screw or post placed in your jaw to support a dental prosthesis. Most dental implants are made of titanium and can support a single crown, a fixed bridge, or a denture. The implant is submerged beneath the gums, and although it cannot be seen, it can play a major role in helping you maintain oral health.
Water fluoridation, improved access to dental care, and an emphasis on oral health have helped decrease the incidence of dental cavities and tooth loss. Despite these improvements, adults between ages twenty and sixty-four average having twenty-five remaining teeth. Although the leading cause of tooth extractions in adults is periodontal disease, dental cavities and trauma still pose significant threats to oral health.
Missing just one tooth can lead to the shifting of surrounding teeth, adversely affecting how your teeth fit together. This can lead to an increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Missing several or all of your teeth can also negatively influence your overall health by impeding your ability to eat a healthy diet.
An additional problem created by missing teeth is sagging facial muscles that can cause you to look older. Your teeth and the bone surrounding them support facial muscles to prevent premature wrinkles in your face. When you lose a tooth, you also begin losing this bone, and your cheeks can begin to sink, resulting in skin folds and wrinkles.
Six to eight dental implants are needed to support fixed bridges for complete upper or lower arch rehabilitation. However, in the 1990s, a beneficial and cost-effective treatment was developed using only four implants to support an upper or lower denture.
These four titanium implants are placed in precise locations at predetermined angles to offer maximum support and optimal esthetics of the replacement teeth. This All-On-Four treatment offers patients the opportunity to replace all of their teeth with a permanent solution to removable dentures.
Dentists have successfully treated patients with removable dentures for many years. This has proven to be a reliable option for replacing several or all teeth. However, dental implants can now provide a more ideal option with several advantages, including:
Most of the disadvantages of All-On-Four implants are temporary and can be easily overcome. Some of the possible All-On-Four cons include the following:
Unless you have a medical condition that prevents you from having dental implant surgery, you may be a candidate for All-On-Four dental implants. The high success rate, ease of the procedure, restoring natural chewing ability, and superior esthetic results make the All-On-Four dental implants an ideal option for replacing several or all of your missing teeth.
If you need an upper or lower denture or a complete set of dentures, you may have the option of All-On-Four implants. After considering the pros and cons, you may be left with the question of whether implant-supported dentures are worth the added investment of time and cost. Before deciding, please schedule a consultation with Palmetto Dental Arts to learn more about the process and find out if you are an ideal candidate for All-On-Four dental implants.