Your Guide to All on 4 Dental Implants
The use of dental implants has risen in popularity in recent years thanks to the evolution of specialist design and technology in the dentistry industry. At the same time, denture wearers have been crying out for a more practical, secure solution for missing teeth for decades. Tired of loose-fitting teeth, difficulty eating and complicated cleaning routines, dental implants have provided a much welcome alternative for tooth replacement.
When would you need All on 4 Dental Implants?
Each of our teeth is there for a reason. The loss of even one tooth disrupts the natural harmony in our mouths, affecting our quality of life in more ways than one.
Appearance
A missing tooth, especially at the front of our mouths can cause a dramatic change to our features. The gap that it creates, can leave us feeling unattractive, self-conscious and embarrassed. The absence of a tooth can contribute to a sunken, aged appearance. When the facial muscles and skin lose their support structure, it can accelerate the formation of wrinkles and lines.
Chewing and eating
Are you avoiding certain foods because they have become too difficult to chew. Our teeth are the starting point of our digestion and nutrition. Not being able to chew comfortably may cause you to stop enjoying the foods you love and that your body needs.
Speaking
Certain sounds become infinitely more difficult to pronounce correctly when one or more teeth are missing. This not only affects our ability to communicate but can also cause us to feel socially uncomfortable.
Dental Health
It can be frustrating when food regularly becomes stuck in the gaps left by missing teeth, but it’s also likely to lead to a build-up of bacteria and plaque, onset of tooth decay and an increased risk of gum disease.
There are many causes of missing teeth:
• Gum disease can cause teeth to loosen or require removal.
• Accident or trauma leaving a tooth that is beyond repair.
• Cavities if not treated that result in tooth decay.
• Wear and tear.
• Jawbone deterioration.
Typically, All on 4 would be the ideal solution when you have several teeth that are missing, but would like to avoid a traditional denture solution.
All on 4 vs dentures
All on 4 offer a wide range of superior benefits when compared to traditional dentures and bridges:
- Aesthetics: they look and feel like your natural teeth
- Function: they work just like real teeth
- Durability: they offer a long-lasting permanent solution and don’t loosen over time
- Convenience: they can be cleaned and maintained just like your natural teeth
- Speedy fitting: they can be made and fitted on the same day!
So, now you understand the benefits of dental implants, in general, you might be wondering what on earth are ‘All-on-4?’ Let us guide you through it…
What are ‘All-on-4’ dental implants?
Dental implants aren’t just for replacing individual teeth. At Banning Dental Group, we have adopted the ‘All on 4’ approach, offering our patients the ability to restore entire arches of teeth, with attractive, functional dental implants.
The technique is known as ‘All on 4’ because it enables us to apply an entire bridge of prosthetic teeth to just 4 implants, rather than each tooth needing its own individual implant. This offers a permanent, secure screw-fixed solution for an entire upper or lower set of teeth.
Who is suitable for All on 4 Dental Implants?
‘All on 4’ Same day teeth are perfect for patients who have very few of their own teeth remaining and would like a more secure, permanent solution to dentures.
They are also ideal for patients who have suffered bone loss in the jaw area, making single-tooth implants unsuitable because of the reduced bone density. The All on 4 implants use the naturally thicker bone towards the front of the jaw, meaning that patients can often receive a full new arch of teeth without having to undergo graft surgery.
All on 4 Teeth in a Day
This is one of the main advantages of the All on 4 dental implants. When you imagine having to replace multiple teeth it sounds as though it could be a long, painstaking process with multiple trips to the dentist. It’s not something that many people really look forward to.
Thankfully, due to the angle of placement of All on 4, the implants can support a temporary bridge from day one! This means we do not need to allow for a period of healing before fitting your new teeth and you don’t have to face having a toothless smile for even a day.
After approximately 6 months, when your implants have fully integrated with the surrounding bone, we will replace your temporary bridge with a permanent one.
This is why All on 4 implants are also known as Same-Day Teeth or Teeth in a Day!
Are All on 4 Dental Implants painful?
No! Our computer-aided dental-injection technology ensures you receive anaesthesia exactly where you need it to maintain your comfort throughout the procedures.
If you feel any slight tenderness post-treatment, you can simply take over the counter painkillers as required.
Are All on 4 Dental Implants expensive?
There are certainly cheaper alternatives to dental implants, but as the old saying goes, you get what you pay for. When you compare dental implants to dentures or other teeth replacement options, the upfront price may seem alarming. When you factor in the maintenance costs and practicality benefits, there is a clear winner.
To make the best tooth replacement options available to all our patients, we offer affordable dental implants with 0% interest finance options. We believe that no one should have to compromise on their oral care due to price.
If you are looking for an excellent alternative to traditional dentures or would like to explore implant options further to replace missing teeth and restore your natural smile, speak to us and we will find the right solution for you.