How All-on-4 Implants Can Transform Your Smile

If you are missing most or all of your teeth, it can make you self-conscious and prevent you from smiling. All-on-4® implants utilize four dental implants to support a full arch of permanent prosthetics. This dental restoration technique provides a convenient and durable solution to tooth loss, giving you a functional and natural-looking smile without the hassle of traditional dentures.

What are All-on-4 implants?

All-on-4 dental implants are a full arch of teeth replacement that utilizes four strategically placed implants to support a dental prosthetic (permanent dentures). Unlike traditional dentures, which sit on top of the gums and can slip or slide, All-on-4 implants are anchored securely into the patient's jawbone. This technique provides a durable solution for patients with significant tooth loss, improving their dental function, appearance, and self-esteem.

Benefits of All-on-4 implants

A quick solution to tooth loss

One of the primary benefits of All-on-4 implants is their ability to restore a patient's smile in one day. Unlike traditional implants, which require multiple surgeries and months of healing time, a periodontist can typically place All-on-4 implants and the temporary prosthetic in a single visit. This means that the patient can walk into the periodontal office with missing teeth and walk out with a new, natural-looking smile in a single day.

Four implants can replace an entire upper or lower arch

Traditional implants replace teeth with one implant per missing tooth. This means that patients with multiple missing teeth will typically need at least eight to 10 implants. All-on-4 implants reduce the treatment time. The periodontist can strategically place four posts in specific areas in the patient's jawbone. This placement allows the All-on-4 to replace an entire upper or lower arch of teeth.

While All-on-4 implants still require minor oral surgery and a three- to six-month healing process (osseointegration), this dental restoration method is less invasive than traditional implant treatment. This is particularly true for patients missing most or all of their teeth. It requires fewer incisions to heal and an overall quicker recovery and treatment timeline. Additionally, fewer incisions during the surgery lower the risk of postoperative complications like infection.

Durability and longevity

All-on-4 implants provide a durable and long-lasting solution to tooth loss. With proper care and maintenance, they can last a lifetime. This makes them a cost-effective solution compared to traditional dentures, which often need to be replaced every five to 10 years.

Prevents bone loss

After removing a tooth from its socket in the gum line, the jawbone loses stimulation from its root. A patient with multiple missing teeth is more likely to experience severe bone loss and degradation, leading to further oral health complications and an older-looking appearance. Due to being affixed to the jawbone, All-on-4 provides stimulation similar to a natural tooth, promoting bone growth and preventing further bone loss.

Ideal candidates for All-on-4 implants

Many people missing multiple or all of their teeth qualify for All-on-4 dental implants. They need to be healthy enough to withstand the procedure and have no underlying health issues that could interfere with their body's ability to heal, such as uncontrolled diabetes and lupus. Ideal candidates should also have a healthy amount of bone density in their jaw. If needed, the periodontist can perform a bone graft to provide more support for the implant. Any signs or symptoms of gum disease or tooth decay will also need to be treated prior to the procedure.