Dental implants are an excellent solution to replace missing teeth, restore smiles, and maintain jaw health for those who qualify to receive one.
For patients who have lost the majority of their teeth, all-on-4 dental implants are a viable, effective solution that only requires four anchors to be installed into the jaw. On those anchors sits an entire row of natural-looking, natural-feeling teeth that offer functional, aesthetic, and health benefits.
Who Qualifies for All-on-4 Dental Implants?
In order to qualify for All-on-4 dental implants, patients must meet a few criteria first:
Significant Tooth Loss or Damage
Receiving all-on-4 implants means replacing an entire row of teeth. The ideal candidate already has anodontia, or total tooth loss. Other candidates may be missing the majority of their teeth, and only require removal of a few before the implant can be installed.
Additionally, those with severely damaged teeth may qualify for All-on-4 if tooth repair or restoration is not possible.
Moderate Bone Loss in the Jaw
In order to install an implant, there must be healthy bone for the implant anchor to fit into. Tooth loss leads to bone resorption, meaning the bone essentially shrinks into itself, losing its structure, strength, and overall quality. It continues to lose its structure the longer it is left without a tooth root or an anchor installed.
While single dental implants cannot be installed if there is moderate bone loss, All-on-4 implants can. The design and angle of this option allow patients with moderate bone loss to bypass any necessary grafting procedure.
However, if you suffer from significant, severe bone loss, bone grafting may be required first before you can proceed with an All-on-4 procedure.
What Is the All-on-4 Implant Process?
If you’re interested in receiving All-on-4 dental implants, you’re probably curious about how the process will go. While every patient is different, and some processes can deviate from the norm, a general route is as follows:
Initial Consultation and Evaluation
You will first meet with your oral surgeon to learn about the benefits of All-on-4s and determine if you are qualified to receive the procedure.
Your oral surgeon will examine your dental and medical history, evaluate your teeth, and order X-rays and 3D scans of your mouth. If you have a few teeth still present or teeth that will require removal due to severe damage, your oral surgeon will discuss a plan for removal before you can move forward with implantation.
During the consultation, you also have the opportunity to ask questions and talk through your goals regarding All-on-4 implants.
Pretreatment Procedures (If Necessary)
If your gum or bone health is bad enough to require treatment, or you need to have a few teeth removed before your oral surgeon can install your implants, you will require some pretreatment procedures.
Pretreatment can include bone grafting and tooth extraction.
During this phase, your oral surgeon will also work to plan where your anchors will be installed and what your implants will look like. Your oral surgeon will work to ensure your implants look as natural and attractive as possible.
Anchor Placement
On the day of your procedure, your oral surgeon will provide general or local anesthesia, depending on the practice, so that you remain comfortable and pain-free throughout the process. You will receive four anchors in your top and bottom jaws, to which the implants will attach.
It takes a while for your anchors to fuse to the bones (up to six months for some patients). During this period of time, you will wear removable dentures until your anchors are prepared to support your permanent dentures.
Abutment Placement
Once your jaw bones and anchors are ready, your oral surgeon will install abutments, or connectors, onto the anchors. These are what your new teeth will attach to for secure installation.
During this visit, your surgeon will take impressions of your mouth and either send the data to a lab for custom denture fabrication or design your teeth that same day with in-office technology (like what we do at AOSC!).
Prothesis Placement
Once created and sent back to your surgeon’s office, it’s time to receive your new prosthetic teeth! Your oral surgeon will secure your new teeth to the abutments, make any necessary adjustments, and show you your beautiful new smile.
After this, your All-on-4 implant journey is complete!
For All-on-4 Dental Implants, Single Implants, and Other Oral Solutions, Turn to Athens Oral Surgery Center.
All-on-4 dental implants are your solution for a restored mouth. Improve your smile and regain oral health by speaking with Dr. Tomlinson and our team about the possibilities of dental implants today: 706-549-5033
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