In the past, patients who needed dentures had to settle for traditional appliances held in place by adhesives that were often ineffective.
A newer approach, known as All-on-4, can give these denture wearers some relief. This technique uses four dental implants to secure the prosthetic arch, eliminating many of the problems associated with conventional dentures.
Four dental implants are placed in the jawbone by an oral surgeon. Because they are made of titanium, the implants fuse with the bone in the months following placement. Patients are fitted with a temporary prosthetic arch on the day of the surgery, and after the healing process is complete, they return to receive a stronger, permanent denture.
All-on-4 implants have a number of advantages over standard dentures.
The structural nature of the implants and their ability to fuse with the bone, replacing the roots of the absent teeth, prevents the jawbone resorption that typically occurs in edentulous (toothless) patients.
With All-on-4, the implants are strategically placed toward the front of the mouth, where the jawbone erodes most slowly. Even long-term denture wearers who have already experienced significant bone loss should be eligible for All-on-4 implants.
All-on-4 implants have a number of advantages over standard dentures. They will last longer because the shape of the jaw doesn’t change over time, a process that requires conventional dentures to be relined, refitted and even replaced periodically.
By replacing the tooth’s root, dental implants also help to preserve some of the functionality of your biological teeth. Chewing and speaking will feel more natural.
Of course, implant-supported dentures are also more attractive. There’s no need to worry about embarrassing slip-ups that show the world you’re a denture wearer.
Some patients have concerns about the dental implant placement procedure, but it’s very straightforward. It can be completed in a matter of hours in an outpatient setting. Sedation and anesthesia are used for maximum patient comfort.
If you are fed up with your ill-fitting, uncomfortable conventional dentures, consider All-on-4 as an alternative. Schedule a consultation with our experienced, board certified oral surgeons serving the Dallas area to learn more about the procedure.