What is All on Four Dental Implants?

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.

What is an all-on-four denture?

As an implant-supported denture, your all on four relies on the support of four or more dental implants. A dental implant is a small titanium screw that is surgically placed into your jaw bone by an oral surgeon and acts as the root of a missing tooth. A healing cap is placed over the screw to protect the implant site while it heals for up to six months. Titanium implants are able to integrate into your job and to ensure maximum stability. Once you are fully healed, restoration can begin!

For an individual implant, an abutment is placed directly onto the implant and an implant crown is either screwed or cemented onto the abutment.

In the case of an all on four denture, 4 to 8 implants are placed on the arch to be restored. Instead of individual crowns being placed on each implant, an all on four uses a titanium framework with multiple teeth to restore one or both arches.

Leaving missing teeth untreated can actually leave to jaw bone deterioration and can eventually change the structure and overall appearance of your face. Implants help maintain the integrity of your jaw bone and prevent future issues.

Your dentist will fabricate a temporary denture for you to wear while your implant sites heal for about six months. During this healing time, eating will need to return to basics! It is important to cut everything and not bite into anything. Soft foods are your friend and will help keep your temporary denture in good shape. After you are fully healed, your dentist will have you back to place your permanent denture.

Deciding if All on Four dental implants is the Right Treatment For You

As with any dental restoration, your first conversation should be with your dentist to determine if you are a candidate for the treatment you desire. It’s important to communicate exactly what your goals are to your dentist. A treatment planning consultation is a great way to discuss your needs and the feasibility of an all on four denture. Dental implants are not cheap so this appointment will allow you to discuss financial arrangements as well. Dental insurance may cover a small portion of your treatment but keep in mind that you likely have a maximum amount of benefits your insurance will pay out per year.