All-On-Four is a method of placing implants to support a full arch of teeth. In this instance, four dental implants are placed in the upper or lower jaws to replace an entire set of teeth. How are all of these teeth supported with so few implants?
That’s what’s unique about the All-On-Four design. Implants are strategically placed so that we can support more teeth with fewer implants. Two implants are placed at the front of the jaw and two at the back of the jaw are angled at 45 degrees, enabling us to forego additional implants.
All-On-Four combines all of the best aspects of dental implants and full arch tooth restorations into a single prosthesis. While dentures are convenient for addressing extensive tooth loss, they often lead to accelerated bone loss and also cause the teeth to move around when the patient speaks or eats.
The combination of implants with a dental bridge enables us to provide a stable base that prevents your teeth from ever moving and also preserves the jawbone while restoring an entire arch or both arches of teeth.
First, we need you to come in for a consultation with one of our dentists who will perform an oral exam and take x-rays to determine if you’re a good candidate for All-On-Four implants. You should already be missing most of your teeth and you will need to have sufficient bone support.
After assessing how much bone support you have, you may be recommended to have a bone grafting procedure. We will need to extract any remaining teeth in your arch and then we will surgically implant four titanium posts, with two at the front and two at the back of the jaw which are placed at an angle.
Then, O-rings are placed around the implants to act as abutments that will connect your implants to your restoration. Your artificial teeth are fabricated in a dental lab from impressions, digital x-rays, and jaw records that are taken of your mouth.
However, you will be given a temporary set of teeth to wear until osseointegration is complete in 3 to 6 months. This is when the jawbone fuses with the implants, forming artificial tooth roots. Once this happens, you’ll return to have your temporary bridge removed and your official teeth fitted.
Single tooth implants only replace an individual tooth instead of an entire arch of teeth. The process is similar but involves two separate oral surgeries whereas All-On-Four can be done in a single day. The benefits are also different because a single tooth can prevent the surrounding teeth from shifting and can help restore the smile.
However, restoring all of the teeth with All-On-Four Implants means a revolutionary change in your smile and tooth functionality. It can change someone’s life drastically by restoring their ability to eat and speak.
The good news is that dental implants are relatively low maintenance and are cared for similarly to your natural teeth. However, because you will have a fixed bridge attached that is not removable, you should be very vigilant about practicing good oral hygiene and ensuring that your bridge is not loose.
An ill-fitting bridge can trap bacteria and food particles, leading to serious oral health problems. Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristle toothbrush for at least 2 minutes. Floss at least once a day with a water flosser.
It’s recommended that people with fixed restorations use a water flosser rather than a thread flosser to thoroughly remove food particles and plaque from the mouth. Another tool that you can use is called a rubber tip gum stimulator which, when traced along the gum line, helps remove food debris and prevents it from becoming trapped in the bridge.
During the initial recovery process, you will have diet limitations and should only eat soft foods and should avoid a variety of things like hot, spicy, hard, and chewy foods while you heal from surgery.
However, once you’re healed, you will have a solid and sturdy base for your teeth because the implants form artificial tooth roots by being implanted into the jaw and fusing with it. This is why All-On-Four implants enable you to eat a restriction-free diet, unlike traditional dentures which are subject to moving around when you chew. Want to be able to eat whatever you want? Contact us at Bria Dental today to schedule a consultation for All-On-Four implants.
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