- The All-on-4 is a hybrid denture mounted on 4 implants. It is a permanent solution for the replacement of the upper and lower dental arch.
- The procedure is suitable for people who have suffered bone loss.
- The advantages of All-on-4 dental implants include high functionality and comfort, durability, and no need for bone augmentation procedures.
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Is All-on-4 right for you? Here's everything you need to know.
Candidate for All-on-4 dental implants
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Your dentist is the best person to advise whether you should get All-on-4 dental implants. Generally, the Ao4 solution is recommended for those who have all teeth on an arch missing or whose teeth are damaged beyond repair.
The method is also suitable if the patient has experienced bone loss. The design allows for a smaller amount of bone to support the restoration. In fact, additional bone reduction is always required for Ao4 to make room for the prosthesis.
If you have been wearing traditional dentures for a while and don’t find them ideal, the Ao4 may be a great step up. Some mouths just can’t get used to the bulkiness of traditional prostheses.
In short, All-on-Four benefits include high functionality and comfort, reduced costs, and no need for bone augmentation procedures.
All-on-4 procedure step-by-step
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The All-on-4 dental implant procedure is similar to that of traditional dental implants. Most of the resemblance takes place in the preliminary stages. The surgery itself, however, is a little different.
Initial consultation
During the first meeting with your dentist, which will look like a regular exam, you can ask about anything you are unsure of. You come up with a treatment plan and there are likely to be X-rays to ensure optimal placement of the implants. Extractions may be scheduled.
Mouth preparation
This is different for each patient, depending on what you need done. The most popular are tooth extractions and periodontal treatment.
Active periodontitis may lead to dental implant infection and even failure. If you suffer from it, your dentist may perform scaling and root planing. This may be skipped if contaminated teeth are removed. The SRP procedure is another way to treat periodontal problems.
A dental impression might be taken to ensure your denture is ready as soon as rods are implanted.
Surgery
The All-on-4 are usually placed under local anesthesia.
Two dental implants are mounted at the front normally and two in the back at a 45° angle. This provides enough stability to mount an entire fixed arch. Thanks to this, additional procedures such as bone grafting are not always necessary.
Fitting of the prosthesis
The denture might be fitted the same day. It depends on the condition of your mouth. If not, you will return home with the implants and perhaps a temporary denture. In such a case the final prosthesis is usually mounted 3-6 months later, when the healing is complete.
All-on-4 dental implants cost
The All-on-4 cost near you ranges from $15,000 to $28,000. The average All-on-4 price is about $21,000. This does not include additional procedures such as the initial consultation or extractions.
How much the All-on-4 procedure costs exactly depends on the following factors:
the condition of your mouth,
the materials used,
the specialists experience, and
your location.
The cheapest place to get All-on-4 dental implants may be a smaller town, even if you have to add to your final bill some travel costs. Prices in largely-populated areas tend to be inflated.
All in all, this treatment tends to come out favorably when you compare it to the cost of dental implants individually.
All-on-4 benefits: what do reviews say
All-on-4 dental implants reviews quote a positive experience during the procedure and great comfort after getting Ao4. Many claim they were able to get back to a diet they maintained before they lost their teeth. The All-on-4 method allows chewing and biting even the chewiest candies and the most well-done steaks.
The second aspect patients boast about is the appearance. The Ao4 bridge, if designed and made correctly, looks like a natural smile. What’s more, there is no way it will fall out while you talk, laugh, or sneeze. Only a dental professional can take it out for thorough cleaning.
And lastly, patients who previously underwent dental implantation praise the efficiency of the solution. The healing is a lot faster and there are no bone augmentation procedures. Bone grafting and sinus lifting come with severe healing and recovery periods, ones that are at times more limiting than the implant surgery itself.
FAQ
How long do All-on-4 implants last?
If you take proper care of your restoration, the Ao4 prosthesis should last 10-15 years. Proper care means having a regular professional cleaning of the prosthesis and implants. Your dentist may remove it at times to clean it outside the mouth.
The rods themselves are a life-long solution, so unless something goes wrong, you will never have to remove them.
How painful are Ao4 dental implants?
The procedure is comparable to multiple implant placement. The surgery is usually done under a local anesthetic. With traditional implants, patients are often under total sedation.
What does Ao4 recovery look like?
The All-on-Four dental implants recovery time is pretty straight forward. Many patients return to work within a few days up to a week. Stability and faster healing are provided by the design. Full recovery may take less than the standard 8 months.
Nonetheless, some symptoms akin to that of the traditional process may arise. That includes tenderness of the gums, some oozing and bleeding, as well as swelling.
How to clean All-on-4 dental implants?
Brush your hybrid denture as you would your natural teeth. Do this at least twice a day or after every meal. Choose a soft-bristled brush. It can be manual or electric. Use circular movements all around your teeth and the prosthesis. Flossing and using water picks is also recommended.
Regular checkups and dental cleanings remain the most important part of care. The same buildup that occurs on teeth will be on the denture and could affect the longevity of the implants like periodontal disease affects teeth.
Do All-on-Four look real?
Since the prosthesis covers the gums, you may feel the restoration does not look completely natural. We are all very critical about what we look like. It is unlikely that anyone will be able to spot the difference.
All-on-4 looks a lot more convincing than traditional dentures. The key is to get them done at a respectable office, where prosthesis are state of the art.