Hi, I'm Dr. Matt Rasmussen with Periodontics and Implant Dentistry of Tallahassee. More and more patients are asking about dental implants and have been specifically inquiring about a procedure commonly known as an All-on-X or All-on-Four type of procedure. We're going to spend some time today going over the specifics of that type of dental implant process and what’s involved from start to finish.
What are All-on-Four dental implants and how do they work?
There's a common type of procedure known as an All-on-Four dental implant prosthesis. It's a coined term basically meaning that if we're going to remove all the natural teeth, we're going to have a new set of teeth that are permanent in the sense that they are fixed in the mouth and are placed on top of four dental implants. Therefore, all the teeth are placed on four, or all-on-four.
How is the All-on-Four procedure different from traditional dental implants?
An All-on-Four procedure is different from traditional implants in terms of how many dental implants are being used to replace the remaining natural teeth and how many additional grafting procedures are needed. Grafting is where additional bone is added to particular locations in the mouth. So, the All-on-Four type of procedure can sometimes offer a lower cost than traditional dental implants, as there is slightly less work involved for the right candidate for that type of procedure.
Who is a good candidate for All-on-Four dental implants?
An All-on-Four type of procedure involves removing the remaining natural teeth, smoothing down the bone to make room available, and then placing four dental implants as anchors for a set of natural teeth. For a patient to be a good candidate for an All-on-Four dental implant prosthesis, enough bone needs to be available in the locations to place four strong dental implants to hold on to all the natural teeth that go on top.
Are All-on-Four denture implants a good option for seniors?
A common question we get is what are good options for seniors regarding dental implants. All-on-Four dental implants are popular because they give a fixed solution, meaning they're going to replace all the natural teeth, and you can bite and chew with confidence with relatively less invasive procedures. For this reason, many senior patients prefer this type of procedure because less surgery is involved and less recovery time is needed to still get them the results they need. However, for senior citizens, we need to ensure that there is adequate bone and their medical history is sufficient to proceed with All-on-Four type of dental implants.
What does the All-on-Four dental implant process involve?
The All-on-Four dental implant process involves a series of steps that go relatively quickly. Typically, all the teeth on the upper or the bottom, or possibly both jaws, are removed, the bone is smoothed down, and then four dental implants are placed. If the implants go with adequate torque, meaning the implants are ready to accept the teeth going on top, which many times is the case, then teeth will be put in place that same day. It is a temporary that is used during the healing phase, and then the finals are made once everything is complete. But again, many times for the All-on-Four dental procedure, the day the patient leaves the office for the initial surgery, they will leave with teeth that are fixed in their mouth.
Are All-on-Four implants a permanent solution for missing teeth?
An All-on-Four dental solution is meant to be a permanent device. Now, of course, like with anything else, there is maintenance involved, and complications can arise, but when an All-on-Four dental prosthesis is delivered to the patient, it is not something that is meant to be only a temporary solution; it is meant to be a long-term solution for the patient.
What are the advantages of All-on-Four dental implants over other tooth replacement options?
A very common question we get in the office is how does an All-on-Four dental implant procedure differ from other types of tooth replacement options. The All-on-Four procedure has a couple of specific advantages. First, there's less grafting or additional procedures involved, so less pain and less cost by comparison to certain other options for dental procedures. The other thing is that it's one of the ways that we can get what we call a fixed option in the mouth, meaning the teeth do not come in and out. Many of the other options, like traditional dentures or overdentures or other types of dentures, involve a denture that comes in and out, even with the assistance of implants. With an All-on-Four dental type of procedure, the teeth stay fixed in the mouth.
What do before and after results of All-on-Four dental implants look like?
A common question we get is what do patients look like before and after an All-on-Four dental prosthesis or dental implants. Feel free to look at our website, as you can see many examples of what people look like before and after a strong smile makeover. Many times, patients come into the office feeling very self-conscious about their teeth before an All-on-Four dental prosthesis. They don't smile because they don't like the appearance of their teeth or they feel uncomfortable. Afterwards, because we have the option to make a full set of teeth for both the upper and the lower, patients are very happy as they have a new smile and can smile with confidence.
How do All-on-Four implants improve oral health and quality of life?
All-on-Four implants are a game-changer in the sense that they can improve the quality of life. Many patients who come to us for this type of procedure report they have not been able to eat certain types of food, they've not been able to have social interactions, and their overall happiness has decreased over the years because they are self-conscious about their smile or have pain in their mouth. After an All-on-Four dental prosthesis is placed and completed, the patient can eat, chew, talk, and smile with confidence. They regain their natural youthfulness in life, and many times patients report they look like they look 10 years younger or more because of the new smile they have.
What are the potential problems or complications with All-on-Four dental implants?
All-on-Four dental implants are a wonderful tooth replacement solution. However, like any other dental procedure that can be performed, there are potential complications that can arise. It's important to talk with your doctor about these complications before the time of the surgery, and it is critically important to make sure that we maintain the dental implants afterwards. The most common complications that can arise will either relate to the denture itself; remember the dental implants on an All-on-Four procedure still are connected to a fixed type of denture, so a tooth can chip just like any other tooth can chip. Then also, there are potential biological complications with the dental implants themselves, meaning we're depending on the patient's body to hold the implants in place. If there's bone that's lost around those implants or the body rejects an implant, those can be complications that would need to be addressed.
What is the recovery process like after getting All-on-Four dental implants?
The recovery process after an All-on-Four dental implant prosthesis is one that's very similar to most common surgeries. Typically, patients will be sore for two to three days after the procedure where they get to their most swollen point, and then two to three days on the way back down. Typically, within a week, most patients report they do not have pain or swelling after an All-on-Four procedure.
What type of care and maintenance do All-on-Four implants require?
A common question that comes up in the office is what type of maintenance or aftercare is involved with All-on-Four implants. I'm going to break this up into two specific phases. The first phase relates to the actual teeth involved in the All-on-Four process. Like anything else that has consistent contact, think of tires on a car or something else like that, there is wear that's going to occur over time. So, it is common at some point, usually somewhere between five and ten years after an All-on-Four procedure, where the teeth may need to be retreaded or a new set of teeth added to the existing denture, and that's okay; that's expected with the process. The other part of the maintenance phase involves the actual implants themselves. Remember, there's a biological process happening between the dental implant that's anchored to the bone and the bone itself. We need to make sure those implants stay healthy long-term, so there are cleanings involved and other aftercare instructions that we'll go over with you at the time of the procedure that are still needed to make sure those implants stay healthy long-term.
I hope we've been able to answer some of the most common questions regarding All-on-Four types of dental implants. Certainly, many patients will have more specific questions related to their individual circumstances. Give us a call at area code (850) 909-9731.
Replace an Entire Row of Teeth in 1 Appointment
If you have several missing teeth or even an entire row that is gone, then your oral function is probably severely compromised, and you want to have it fixed as quickly as possible. Traditional implant procedures usually require months to be completed, but there are exceptions: All-on-4 dental implants in Tallhassee, FL. With this treatment, Dr. Rasmussen can restore an entire row of teeth in a single appointment, helping a patient reclaim their health, bite, and confidence in a matter of hours. Want to learn more about All-On-4? If so, give us a call today.
Why Choose Periodontics & Implant Dentistry of Tallahassee for All-On-4 & Teeth-in-a-Day?
- Treatment Provided by a Board-Certified Periodontist
- Helps Patients Avoid the Need for a Bone Graft
- Customer Service That Ensures You Feel Welcome & Comfortable
How Do All-On-4 Dental Implants Work?
On the surface, All-On-4 implants might sound too good to be true, but Dr. Rasmussen has already used this procedure to help countless patients quickly reverse years of tooth loss. Just four special dental implants are placed along the jaw at specific locations so they can provide the most support possible for a new denture. Typically, two are located towards the front of the bone with another two towards the back that are slightly tilted. This is where the jawbone is naturally thicker, maximizing a patient’s existing bone density. Once the implants have been positioned within the bone, they are immediately attached to a full denture, instantly giving a patient the new teeth they desire.
Am I A Candidate For All-On-4 Dental Implants?
All-On-4 dental implants are usually recommended for patients who are missing most if not all of their teeth along their upper or lower arch. Most people in this situation have experienced quite a bit of bone loss as well, so much so that traditional dental implants are not a viable option. All-On-4 implants are specially designed to help patients in this situation. If you have extensive tooth loss and have been told you’re not qualified to get dental implants in the past, then this procedure was made for you.
What Are the Benefits of All-On-4 Dental Implants?
Speed: In a single appointment, a patient can completely renew their smile and vastly improve their ability to speak and eat comfortably.
Cost: In most cases, the cost of getting All-On-4 dental implants is less compared to a traditional implant denture, which often requires six to eight implants to stay in place.
No Bone Graft: As we touched on above, All-On-4 dental implants are meant to work with a patient’s existing jawbone even if it has shrunk, meaning it helps many avoid the need for a bone graft procedure. This helps lower the overall cost and shortens the time a patient needs to replace their teeth.
All-On-4 vs. Traditional Dental Implants
The posts used for All-On-4 tend to be bigger compared to traditional implants, and this is why such a small number of them can be used to secure a full denture. Traditional implants are usually placed in the specific locations where teeth have gone missing, but with All-On-4, they are spaced across the entire jawbone. All-On-4 implants are designed to maximize a patient’s jawbone density, which is why they are exclusively located in the thickest part of the bone.
All-on-4 FAQs
All-on-4 is a different kind of dental implant treatment, so it’s not unusual for patients to have plenty of questions about how it works. We encourage you to reach out to us right away if there’s anything you’d like to know about All-on-4 before you decide whether you want to move forward with it. To help make things a little easier, we’ve answered some of the most frequently asked All-on-4 questions below.
Will All-on-4 Look Like My Natural Teeth?
Yes, dentures supported by All-on-4 implants look and feel very natural. The implants themselves won’t be visible because they’ll be covered by your dentures and your gums. Your new teeth will be made out of materials that closely resemble natural tooth enamel. Your restoration will be customized with your unique smile in mind so that the final results are as lifelike as possible.
Additionally, since the implants will keep your teeth firmly in place, there’s no risk of your dentures slipping or moving at awkward times. This can help you feel much more confident in your smile and your overall appearance when interacting with others.
What Can I Eat After All-on-4?
With traditional implants, you would normally be limited to only eating soft and liquid foods for a while after the surgery. However, that’s not necessarily an issue with All-on-4. Because you can often receive your new teeth on the same day that All-on-4 dental implants are placed, you may be able to eat solid foods right away following the procedure. That said, you will need to avoid hard, brittle, or chewy foods for a while. It will typically take around 6 to 10 weeks for you to be able to return to a normal diet.
Is the All-on-4 Procedure Painful?
There’s little to no discomfort during the surgery itself because a local anesthetic is used to numb the mouth beforehand. Also, if any kind of sedation is used, it will further reduce your body’s ability to notice pain. And of course, our team will take whatever steps are needed during the procedure to help you stay comfortable.
Once the treatment is complete and your mouth is no longer numb, you’re likely to experience some mild soreness and swelling. It should only take a few days for these side effects to subside, but we do recommend that you call us right away if there’s any severe pain.
What is the Success Rate of the All-on-4 Procedure?
The success rate of All-on-4 is as high as 98% for both the upper and lower jaw, meaning it’s a very reliable choice for anyone that’s eligible for the procedure. Of course, even with an extremely high success rate, you still have to be aware of the possibility of dental implant failure. Make sure that you’re practicing excellent oral hygiene after receiving your new teeth; daily brushing and flossing are essential for preventing gum disease that could lead to complications with your dental implant posts.