When Would a Periodontist Recommend All-on-4 Dental Implants

An individual can get All-on-4® implants depending on the periodontist’s assessment results. Dental scans can help determine if this treatment is the right solution for you. You will be better prepared for this procedure if you know you are a candidate for it. Here are the details on when your periodontist may recommend All-on-4 implants.

When the individual needs a full dental arch

All-on-4 implants aim to complete an entire dental arch. The procedure will not leave natural teeth in the upper or lower dental arch. The right candidates may have already lost all their teeth. People with a few natural teeth left can get these implants as well. The dentist may need to extract all the deteriorated teeth before the implant surgery.

When the individual does not want to use removable dentures

Traditional dentures often hurt because these removable restorations sit on the gums. A person who has been wearing these dentures may already have exposed nerves. These restorations tend to compress these nerves. This will make speaking, biting, and chewing more painful.

Traditional dentures tend to wiggle or loosen. In some cases, they also fall out. These experiences often cause embarrassment. They also lead to awkwardness and isolation.

Having All-on-4 implants can take away these unsavory situations. Eating and speaking will be more comfortable. Socializing will become more pleasant. The individual can gain a better quality of life by using these implants.

When the patient is healthy

The dentist will assess the patient first. This will include studying the patient’s medical history. The evaluation can determine if the patient is healthy enough to have the All-on-4 implant surgery. Ailments like diabetes can interrupt the healing process. The treatment may fail because of such chronic diseases.

Studies show that smoking or consuming alcohol is not ideal for people who will get All-on-4 dental implants. Tobacco and alcohol prevent proper blood oxygenation and circulation. An individual should not consume these substances weeks before and after the procedure. The patient must stop consuming them. Doing so can prevent complications and implant failure.

When the patient has healthy gums and jawbone

The dentist will see if the patient’s gum tissue and jawbone will be able to take the All-on-4 procedure. Even if this treatment is for people with jawbone loss, the bone still needs to meet a specific standard. The patient must not have severe jawbone loss, or the placement of the implants will not be appropriate. In some cases, a bone graft can help correct this situation.

The patient must heal well after the surgery. Doing so will ensure the fusion of the titanium rods with the surrounding jawbone and gum tissue. Other conditions like gum disease can prevent proper healing. The dentist will not push through with the All-on-4 procedure yet. Treating the condition first is necessary. The implant surgery will take place after the patient heals.