What are all-on-four dental implants?
All-on-four dental implants, or all-on-X, are an implant system, an option if you don't have any teeth. It's like restoring all the teeth that you see when you smile. They restore all the implants with four implants in your mouth. It gives patients the flexibility of talking and eating without removing it at night or having a denture.
What are the pros and cons of all-on-fours?
The pros of all-on-four are that, imagine you have no teeth and now you have teeth in your mouth. It's very comfortable. It looks like you had teeth when you were younger. It looks beautiful; it's all porcelain. So we can restore confidence back. The cons are that patients complain about having to come once a year to remove it for cleaning. But it's only once a year and for your own health. We want to ensure that what is being placed, and how your gum is able to take the force.
Who is a good candidate for all-on-four dental implants?
A good candidate is a patient that has a lot of jawbone in their jaw, as we need bone to place implants. Secondly, you need to have good gum health and good medical health, like controlled diabetes or heart conditions. Smoking needs to be controlled, as it causes blood vessels not to flow properly in the gums that hold the implant.
When would someone not be a good candidate for all-on-fours?
Someone who does not have enough bone, has uncontrolled diabetes, or is a chronic smoker is not a good candidate. Those are the top three conditions that make someone not a good candidate.
What steps are involved in an all-on-four procedure?
The first step is placing the implants. When you come to our office, we place all the implants. You will have a temporary denture in place, so you won't walk out without teeth. Once the implants integrate, which takes around four months, we begin the process of fabricating the all-on-four for you.
What anesthesia options will be available during an all-on-fours procedure?
In our office, we offer high nitrous, Valium, and Triazolam. The first option is local anesthesia, and to tell you the truth, you will only probably need local anesthesia. It doesn't hurt very much; there's just a little soreness in your bone.
How long does it take to heal from getting all four dental implants?
The healing takes a couple of days. It's very simple and not invasive. Most of my patients are healed within two to three days.
How long do all-on-fours last?
All-on-fours last as long as you take care of them. As long as you maintain them, they should last as long as you want. You come in once a year for cleaning, we take it out, clean it, check your bite, and then you go on your way.
What is the cost to receive all-on-four dental implants?
The cost is an investment in your health. It ranges, but we offer financing options to help you. The cost is minimal compared to what you restore back—a gift of being able to smile, chew, and function with confidence.
Will insurance help with the cost of all-on-fours?
Yes, definitely. There are many implant dental insurance options that pay little segments or a portion of everything. There are many options available.
What Are All-On-Four Implants?
All-on-four dental implants is a dental term that is used when four implants are used to rehabilitate a fully dentureless patient. This applies to someone who has no teeth, or someone who has only a few teeth left in the arch. An arch refers to the upper or lower segment of the mouth. This method is also used for patients who have some teeth that are broken down or decayed, or if their mouth is fully compromised with bad teeth and teeth moving because of gum disease.
How Long Does It Take To Heal After An All-On-Four Implant Surgery?
The actual surgery may vary between two to four hours depending on how complex the patient's mouth was to begin with. You should also keep in mind the experience of the dental surgeon. Healing time varies on a number of factors. Let's go over them:
- How much time did it take to do the surgery? More time during the surgery means more time needed for healing.
- Use of platelet rich growth factors. Platelet rich growth factors help significantly reduce the healing time. Not all dentists and surgeons have the necessary equipment, but this definitely heals the mouth faster. So find out if your surgeon is using any of that equipment in their office.
- Following post-op instructions given by the doctor and his team is super important. If you didn't get any from them, please ask for it. This will reduce any possible complications that may arise and also help you heal much faster. Antibiotics, pain meds, and ice packs for the first few hours after surgery. Soft liquid diet for the first week. Following this with only a soft food diet for the next three months will significantly minimize complications and promote healing faster.