Dental Implants
A full arch of teeth secured with four strategically placed implants.
Dental Implants
Patients who are missing the majority or all of their teeth and are in need of replacements or are unsatisfied with their current dentures may be good candidates for All-on-Four Dental Implants. All-on-Four dental implants are implant-supported dentures that only require four implants.
Missing teeth that aren’t replaced can lead to a host of issues. Along with the impact missing teeth can have on an individual’s self-esteem and self-confidence, there are numerous health issues that can develop when a tooth is not replaced over time, including the following:
All-on-Four Dental Implants are an effective way to address these issues in a fast and cost-effective manner. At Precision Periodontics and Implant Dentistry, our specialty-trained periodontists, our specialty-trained periodontists have years of experience treating a wide range of stages of gum disease and placing dental implants. To learn more about All-on-Four Dental Implants, our clinic facilities, or to schedule an appointment for a procedure, contact our Alexandria, VA office at (571) 497-5551 or our Washington, D.C. office at (202) 804-2567.
The Procedure
Here's what your all-on-four dental implants treatment looks like, step by step.
Prior to performing the procedure, we will conduct a 3D scan of your teeth, gums, and jaw to develop a detailed view of your mouth structures and jawbone contours. This will allow us to determine the optimal location to place your implants. This initial scan will also allow us to determine whether a bone graft or augmentation for your jawbone is necessary.
If it is determined that you are a viable candidate for All-on-Four, your procedure will be scheduled. In some cases, patients will need to have a tooth extracted prior to the implants being placed. Prior to the procedure, you will be given a local anesthetic and dental sedation if necessary. Our clinic offers a range of dental sedation options, including oral sedation, nitrous oxide, and IV sedation. Once you are properly numbed, your periodontist will secure the titanium posts that will anchor your dentures into your jaw. Each of the four posts will be strategically placed at a 45-degree angle. Tilting the implants in this manner ensures that the nerve canal and sinus cavity are not damaged and also increases the strength and stability of your implant.
Once these posts are properly positioned, a set of temporary dentures that have been customized to your specific mouth will be placed. These temporary dentures will be worn throughout the healing process. Once the titanium posts have fused with your jawbone, your implant-supported dentures will be placed, and your treatment will be complete.
There are a range of benefits associated with All-on-Four, including the following:
Recovery & Aftercare
Patients often use the term snap-in dentures when asking about implant-supported options. The two are related but not identical. Snap-in dentures, also called overdentures, clip onto a small number of implants and can be removed for cleaning. All-on-Four is a fixed full-arch restoration: the bridge is secured to four implants and stays in place permanently, removable only by your periodontist.
Which option suits you depends on bone volume, bite forces, and how you prefer to clean your teeth day to day. Both restore the ability to eat and speak with confidence, and both are evaluated during a consultation.
Following your All-on-Four procedure, it is important to be cautious during the initial healing stage. You should plan on sticking to a soft food diet for the first two weeks, after which you can begin to slowly reintroduce harder foods.
Once you have completed the recovery process, it will not be necessary to follow special aftercare instructions, although it is important to be aware of the reason this procedure was needed in the first place. Continue practicing good daily oral hygiene practices. Brush and floss twice daily, and schedule regular visits to your periodontist to ensure that your teeth receive regular professional cleanings, which will reduce your risk of developing gingivitis or periodontitis. If you follow these best practices, you will enjoy a bright and healthy smile for many years to come.
Frequently Asked
Most All-on-Four patients report a dramatic improvement in daily life within a few months of their final restoration. Common feedback includes being able to eat a full range of foods again (including firmer options that were off-limits with dentures), speaking more clearly without the fear of slipping, and no longer needing adhesives or nightly soaking. Aesthetically, patients frequently comment that the fixed prosthesis looks and feels closer to natural teeth than any removable option they've worn. Because the implants stabilize the jaw and preserve bone, most patients also notice their facial profile stays fuller over time compared to friends who kept traditional dentures. Individual results vary based on bone quality, oral hygiene, and healing, so a consultation is the best way to understand what outcome to expect in your case.
Needing dentures can be a daunting thought but you have a few choices to make treatment easier and better suited to your personal needs and lifestyle. An all on four implant denture is a full, fixed denture that is used to replace all of the teeth on one or both arches of your mouth. “Fixed” means that the denture is not removable on your own, it requires a Dentist is to unscrew the denture from the implants onto which it is affixed. An oral surgeon will place four or more implants for your denture to screw onto. Traditional removable dentures can be uncomfortable and challenging to take care of. If you are a good candidate, you might be interested in an all on four dental implant-supported denture.
An all on four or all on six dental implant-supported insurance is a beautiful and natural-looking dental aesthetic that works to replace all of the teeth on either one or both the upper and lower arch. Both an all on four and an all on six dental implant-supported dentures have very similar processes. Here, we will discuss how they are the same and a few differences. Those procedures require multiple implants to be placed by an oral surgeon into your jaw bone. They both require extensive healing time that can last up to six months. And they both use a fixed denture that is held in place by the implants.
Cost & Payment
The cost of having All-on-Four dental implants placed will depend on a variety of factors, including your dental insurance plan, the severity of your case, and what type of dental sedation (if any) is used. In general, All-on-Four is a cost-effective alternative to the traditional method of placing several implants and having patients wear dentures while waiting for their implants to heal. The price of the procedure includes surgery, implants, anesthesiologist fees, and dental lab work.
At Precision Periodontics and Implant Dentistry, we are committed to ensuring that money is not a deterrent to our patients receiving the optimal dental health care they deserve. For this reason, we offer a range of payment options regardless of what type of treatment you are having, which our staff will be happy to explain and assist with. Our office insurance coordinators work with other insurance companies to assist patients with their claims.
For your convenience, Precision Periodontics and Implant Dentistry accepts cash, check, debit, and credit cards (Mastercard, American Express, Visa, and Discover). Our clinic also accepts GreenSky Patient Solutions, a financing option for procedures and treatments not typically covered by insurance or when insurance does not cover the entire cost. We are happy to provide an application in our office. You can find out more information about this service at https://www.greensky.com/patient-faq/.
For your convenience, we accept:
Where We Practice
Request An Appointment
Contact us with any questions or to schedule a consultation at our Washington DC, Alexandria, or Reston office. We look forward to welcoming you.
