What are All-on-4 dental implants?
All-on-4 dental implants are a teeth replacement option that delivers a full arch of artificial teeth anchored in four dental implants for your top arch, and four for the bottom arch. It’s a full-arch restoration approach that can transform your smile and your confidence.
Dental implants are a permanent tooth replacement option, which work by installing artificial tooth roots (the implant itself) directly into your bone tissue. With traditional dental implants, an artificial crown is secured to the implanted portion of the implant.
All-on-4 takes a similar approach, but instead of individual crowns secured onto individual implants, you’ll receive an entire upper and lower span of artificial teeth secured on just four upper and four lower dental implants.
Why choose All-on-Four over other tooth-replacement options?
There are many reasons to choose All-on-4 as your permanent restorative treatment. It’s possible to have individual dental implants for each missing tooth. This approach, however, requires a significant amount of oral surgery to place those implants, as well as a potentially lengthy recovery time as your body adjusts. Individual implants can also become very expensive.
Dentures, on the other hand, are a more affordable option, but they’re not a permanent solution. You’ll need to have your dentures replaced from time to time. They can also be uncomfortable in some cases, and the fit might not be optimal.
Dentures also require you to remove them for proper cleaning. Worse, they can shift or even fall out while you’re speaking or laughing. Dentures also do nothing to help retain healthy bone tissue, which is the primary benefit of dental implants.
How long will I have to wait for my new smile?
Advancements in dental technology have shortened the waiting period for many restoration options, including All-on-4 dental implants. In most cases, you will walk out with your new smile in place on the same day as the procedure to place your dental implants.
While you rest comfortably, your practitioner removes any remaining teeth and places your dental implants into your jaw bone. Two of those implants are placed at an angle to create the most secure fit. Most All-on-4 procedures can be completed without a bone graft.
During your initial consultation, your dental specialist discusses your personalized treatment plan and helps you learn what to expect in terms of timing and treatment outcomes. Santa Monica Bay Dental is staffed with outstanding specialists to help you restore your smile. Book your visit today online or over the phone.
