People are generally very self-conscious and tend to give a lot of thought to how other individuals perceive them. One of the biggest aspects that affect your self-esteem is often associated with your teeth and how they look when you smile or speak. Having missing or broken teeth can often also affect your ability to eat without discomfort.
Having one or two missing teeth replaced may not be so difficult. But what do you do when you have a whole arch of missing teeth? In this instance, your prosthodontist may recommend all on 4 dental implants, which essentially allow for up to 14 new teeth by only doing 4 dental implants. Curious about how this works? Read on to find out more.
Understanding the All-On-4 Dental Implant Procedure
The term all-on-4 dental implants refers to a revolutionary solution for anyone who has an entire row (also called an arch) of damaged or missing teeth. The procedure involves surgically implanting four titanium implants into your jawbone. These then serve as anchors for teeth that can cover the entire open side.
All-on-4 implants differ from traditional dentures in that they are permanently placed onto the titanium screws and therefore don’t require daily removal or specialised adhesive. This procedure is typically done in two stages as follows:
- Stage 1: Your prosthodontist does a thorough examination, which includes x-rays and an assessment of your current oral health.
- Stage 2: Damaged and broken teeth, as well as any roots of worn teeth, are removed. Titanium implants are strategically placed into the jawbone. Replacement teeth are attached to look and feel natural. Resembling veneers, these teeth are made to withstand everyday wear and tear and, if maintained, can last years.
A Simple Solution Gets You Your Smile Back
When you have a whole arch of broken or missing teeth, you may be looking for the most effective and pain-free solution to get your smile back. Our prosthodontic team have compiled a list of the top benefits that make all-on-4 the best long-term solution.
1. Provide Long-Term Results
When you consider any dental procedure, you more than likely want the option that provides the best long-term results. Quick fixes can require return visits and also be painful and expensive.
Fortunately, the all-on-4 procedure can last a lifetime and, if correctly maintained, may never need to be replaced. Unlike dentures, there’s no need to replace your all-n-4s every five years. Dentures are also more likely to break or get lost since they have to be removed at night. All-on-4 implants stay in your mouth, where they’re meant to be.
2. Helps Preserve Your Jawbone
All-on-4 implants go a long way toward preserving your jawbone and facial structure. Missing teeth can cause your jawbone to deteriorate over time, which can leave your face looking sunken in. Opting for all-on-4s will not only stimulate bone growth but will also prevent deterioration and maintain your natural facial structure.
Since all-on-4 provides a solid foundation for all the replacement teeth, there’s no sagging of facial muscles. Being able to smile properly means your muscles will lift and tighten as they’re supposed to, instantly giving you a more attractive and refined appearance.
3. Allows for a Shorter Treatment Time
Depending on the state of your mouth, traditional tooth replacement options may require more than one surgical procedure as well as weeks or months of healing in between. With the all-on-4 process, the four implants can all be done in one day.
Since they are strategically placed to maximise tooth support and stability, there’s usually no need for additional bone grafting. This can reduce surgery time, minimise costs, and also reduce overall costs.
4. Your Teeth’s Functionality is Restored
People who opt for dentures will often struggle with discomfort and inconvenience. This is because traditional dentures can be ill-fitting, causing them to slip, which can make eating uncomfortable.
All-4s are secured to the titanium posts, which means there’s no risk of slipping or being loose. This will, in turn, make it easier to eat all your favourite foods with ease. Since the new teeth are designed to look and feel natural which means you will have your confidence-boosting smile back in no time.
5. Can Improve Oral Health
Missing, damaged, or worn teeth can lead to other oral health problems. The most common of these is a shifting of remaining teeth, bone loss, and gum disease. Food residue gets trapped inside or around broken teeth and can lead to infections and abscesses.
The stability offered by all-on-4s reduces this. Since all-on-4s mimic natural tooth roots, they promote healthy bone growth, which improves the overall health of the teeth and gums around the implants. Cleaning your implants is as easy as daily brushing and flossing.
Final Thoughts
The all-on-4 dental implants are a cost-effective way to replace many teeth with one procedure. Opting for this dental solution allows you to not only improve the general appearance of your mouth but also restore functionality. You’ll be able to smile, eat, and speak freely without feeling self-conscious about your mouth again. You’ll be left wishing you had visited your prosthodontist sooner!