Dentures, like most other areas of dentistry, have dramatically improved in recent years. New materials and techniques in fabrication have greatly improved the fit and esthetics for patients missing all their teeth in one or both dental arches. Additionally, a relatively new method known as All-On-Four dental implants has brought a transformational and life-changing option to patients in enhancing the smiles of denture patients.
Dentures and Their Traditional Challenges
Dentures have long been the standard remedy for patients who lose all of their teeth. However, dentures present several challenges that can impact your comfort and lifestyle. Traditionally, these dentures have included:
- Lack of Stability. Traditional dentures can easily slip or move, leading to discomfort during daily activities like eating and speaking. This instability is because the dentures rest on the gums without anchoring to the jawbone. Over time, this can cause jawbone erosion, which worsens its instability and may lead to the need to replace the denture.
- Jawbone Resorption. Once your teeth are removed, bone begins to deteriorate in the area of your missing teeth. Because traditional dentures do not replace your teeth’s roots, there is a gradual loss and continual loss of jawbone density. This bone deterioration affects the fit and function of your dentures and can also alter your facial structure, leading to a more aged appearance.
- Maintenance Requirements. If you wear dentures, you understand the time and effort it takes in their meticulous daily cleaning and care. Dentures must be removed nightly, cleaned, and soaked to maintain their shape, which can be cumbersome and time-consuming.
- Dietary Restrictions. Wearing dentures can result in avoiding hard, sticky, or chewy foods since these can dislodge or damage your dentures. This limiting of choices can impact your nutrition and overall health.
- Esthetic Concerns. Because dentures rest on the gums and are not anchored to the bone, some wearers are self-conscious about the appearance of their dentures, fearing that they look unnatural or might slip out of place, which can significantly impact self-esteem and social interactions.
What are All on Four Dental Implants?
All-on-Four dental implants are a groundbreaking approach to restoring missing teeth that was introduced in the 1990s. The procedure involves precisely placing four titanium implants in areas of your jaw with higher bone density. This maximizes the use of available bone to support your denture.
This combination of implants and denture prosthesis allows you to receive your complete denture the same day as your implants. All on Four implants can significantly reduce the need for bone grafting and further implant surgical procedures. Several factors, such as its efficiency, reduced treatment time, and increased denture stability, provide a stable and long-lasting solution for those with significant tooth loss. These features made this denture breakthrough a huge success and opened the door for dental implants to offer a life-changing option for denture patients worldwide.
Patients especially enjoy that All-on-Four dental implants are placed less invasively and require only one surgery, during which the four implants are placed. After a healing period, during which the implants fuse with the jawbone, your custom-made set of teeth attached to the implants provides a permanent solution that looks, feels, and functions like natural teeth.
All on Four Dental Implants Procedure
The All on Four dental implant procedure is a minimally invasive procedure that provides a more naturally appearing and functioning denture for those who have lost most or all of their natural teeth. Once the procedure is completed, you have a denture that no longer requires daily removal.
Your procedure may include the following steps:
- Initial Consultation and Planning. The first step toward a permanently placed denture is a detailed dental examination, where your dentist assesses your oral health, jawbone structure, and suitability for the procedure. This stage often involves dental X-rays or 3D imaging to plan your implant placement accurately.
- Implant Placement Surgery. During your implant surgery, you will be under local anesthesia and possibly sedation. Your dentist will place four (or more) titanium implants into your jawbone – two at the front and two at the back at an angle to maximize support of the denture. This angulation is critical, as it allows for better force distribution and often eliminates the need for bone grafting.
- Healing and Osseointegration. After the implants are placed, a healing period follows. During this time, a process called osseointegration occurs, where the implants fuse with your jawbone to create a strong foundation for your denture. This period can last several months, but you wear naturally-appearing teeth during this time.
- Attaching the Permanent Prosthesis. Once osseointegration is complete, you return for the attachment of your permanent denture. These are custom-made to optimize the color, shape, and size of your teeth, providing a natural and esthetically pleasing appearance.
- Follow-up and Maintenance. Regular dental check-ups are essential to monitor your implants and overall oral health. While your denture is designed to be durable, good oral hygiene practices are crucial for their longevity.
To summarize the key features of All-on-Four Dental Implants, the procedure:
- Is minimally invasive with a high success rate.
- Can reduce the need for bone grafting due to strategic implant placement.
- Provides a stable and permanent solution, unlike traditional dentures.
- Enhances facial structure by preventing bone loss.
- Allows for a custom-made denture that provides a natural look and feel.
- Allows for immediate function and improved quality of life.
The Benefits of All on Four Dental Implants
All on Four dental implants have brought life-changing benefits for individuals facing the challenges of extensive tooth loss. This innovative approach goes beyond traditional denture options, providing many benefits that can significantly enhance your quality of life and oral health. These benefits include:
- Long-Term Durability. All-on-Four implants are designed to last many years, often a lifetime, which can reduce the need for replacement or frequent adjustments.
- Natural Look and Feel. They are designed to mimic your natural teeth and provide a more esthetic and comfortable dental solution.
- Improved Comfort and Stability. The implants securely anchor the denture, eliminating discomfort caused by slippage, such as mouth sores.
- Bone Preservation. A key benefit is the prevention of jawbone deterioration by the stimulation of bone growth in the area of missing teeth. This helps maintain your facial structure.
- Immediate Functionality. You receive a functional and esthetically pleasing provisional set of teeth on the same day as your implant surgery.
- Simplified Oral Hygiene. Permanently attached dentures are easier to clean and maintain compared to removable dentures, promoting better oral hygiene.
- Dietary Freedom. You can eat a wider variety of foods, including harder and stickier items, without discomfort.
- No Need for Bone Grafts. Angled implant placement often eliminates the necessity for bone grafting, simplifying the procedure.
- Psychological Benefits. Permanent dentures help boost your self-esteem and confidence by providing a stable, natural-looking smile.
- Time and Cost Efficiency. This revolutionary procedure reduces overall treatment time and can be more cost-effective in the long term than traditional dentures.
- Speech Improvement. You may discover a clarity of speech that is often hampered by ill-fitting dentures.
Schedule an Appointment
To learn more about how Palmetto Dental Arts can help improve your smile with All-on-Four dental implants, call us or contact us online.