Are You a Candidate for All-on-4 Dental Implants?

All-on-4® implants are a method of tooth replacement that many dental professionals use to replace teeth. This treatment combines the benefits of dental implants and fixed dentures to create an effective tooth replacement method. However, because this is an invasive surgery, patients must meet certain eligibility criteria.

A guide to help determine if you are a candidate for All-on-4

Full arch replacement

Peridiodontiusts often reserve All-on-4 for patients who are missing an entire arch of teeth. It is also possible for those with the majority of an arch missing but some natural teeth remaining that are not in the best condition. In these cases, the dental professional may opt to extract the unhealthy teeth so that the All-on-4 dental implants can be placed with the denture piece later on. Patients who are only missing a single tooth or a couple of teeth in an arch may benefit from a singular dental implant tooth replacement with a crown or, in other cases, a dental bridge with a crown.

Supported bone structure

Another essential part of what makes a patient an ideal candidate for All-on-4 dental implants is having enough bone density to support them. When a person is missing multiple teeth, the jawbone is no longer being stimulated by everyday functions like chewing and biting. This can cause bone reabsorption, where the body begins to absorb the bone tissue in the empty tooth socket. Advanced bone reabsorption can make it difficult for the implants to fuse properly with the jawbone.

Therefore, the ideal patient will need a strong jawbone to support the implants properly. For patients who do not have the necessary bone density, the periodontist may recommend a bone grafting procedure. This procedure can build up the affected area and provide the foundation the patient needs for their implants.

Time and commitment

Another requirement of a candidate for All-on-4 dental implants is the ability to be patient and commit a significant amount of time to the treatment. The All-on-4 process has three parts. The first is the surgical procedure where the four implants are placed. The next is the process of osseointegration, which can take the longest. In some cases, it may take a few months—up to six—for the implants to fully fuse with the bone. Finally, the denture piece is custom-crafted by a dental lab and then placed via abutments atop the implants. This entire process requires the patient to have the time for all of the appointments and the patience for the implants to actually fuse with the bone. Those who have a busy schedule may not be the best candidates.