By definition, an all-on-four implant operation involves removing all of your natural teeth and replacing them with a permanent one-piece implant bridge supported by four or more dental implants. Complications and issues with these procedures  do arise. Additionally, not all implant dentists are made equal. Some dentistal specialists are better at performing full mouth fixed denture cases than others. Implant dentistry for the full mouth is far more complicated than implant dentistry for single teeth. Neither the dental specialist nor the general dentist are able to provide this service in its entirety. It requires both a dental specialist (surgeon) working with a general dentist. Fitting the implant teeth is just as challenging as implant surgery. Multiple dental specialists with extensive skills in implant surgery and full mouth crown and bridge restoration is preferable for total mouth cases. A "dental implant center" is what this is called. A team of dentists is usually present at most dental implant centers.

All-on-4 is a cutting-edge surgery for failing dentition and periodontia. Your oral surgeon or periodontist can repair an entire upper or lower arch of teeth using as few as four dental implants and a permanent and natural-looking prosthesis.

The dental implants  are surgically implanted into the jaw bone by your dental specialist. The dental implants are placed in an ideal position for maximum strength and stability of the prosthesis.. Over the next few weeks, the dental implants will need to integrate with the jaw bone.

Our state-of-the-art office in Boulder and Longmont, Colorado, can perform implant retained dentures, like the All-on-4 treatment, as well as other such implant-retained modalities. During your visit, our surgeons will meet with you to discuss your dental health goals. You'll get a personalized treatment plan, discuss all options for sedation, and have all of your queries and concerns answered so you can feel confident about this procedure.

All-on-4 procedures have myriad benefits: Because the dental implants integrate in the jaw bone, the final prosthesis is secure and permanent. This means that the dental implants function as a tooth root replacement, stimulating the jawbone and preventing bone loss. The All-on-4 treatment is a permanent solution that eliminates the need for subsequent procedures.

If you require mouth reconstruction, an implant-supported denture such as All-on-4 or Teeth-In-A-Day may be the best option for you. To find out if you're a good candidate, schedule an appointment with a dentist who has expertise performing implant-supported procedures. If you currently wear removable dentures, you may have bone or gum loss that needs to be addressed before moving to a fixed implant-supported option. Your dentist will perform a comprehensive exam to determine if an implant-supported treatment is ideal for you.

How Long Do All-On-4 Implants Last

When determining how long all-on-four implants will survive, several factors need to be considered. For starters, these devices have many parts and pieces included in the prosthesis. When considering longevity, we must take into account both the titanium screws that hold the denture in place as well as the dentures themselves. Second, certain lifestyle choices, such as smoking, or poor oral hygiene, can lead to the premature failure of otherwise excellent dental restorations. The following factors can also affect the longevity of all four dental implants:

The body rejects the implants — Dental implants, like organ implants, can be rejected by the body. This can prevent full integration, causing the implant to prematurely fail.

Oral hygiene issues: The best way to get the most out of any dental restoration is to maintain excellent oral hygiene. There are no exceptions when it comes to all-on-four dental implants. According to many studies, poor oral hygiene has been linked to peri-implantitis, a type of gum disease that makes it harder for the titanium screws that hold the implants in place to bond correctly with the jaw.

Autoimmune diseases: An autoimmune disorder causes the body's immune system to turn on itself, attacking and damaging tissues throughout the body, including the oral cavity. This can increase the risk of implant failure. Celiac disease, multiple sclerosis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and type 1 diabetes are some examples of autoimmune diseases.

In general, if an implant fails, it will do so within the first three to four months.

What Are The Problems With All-on-4 Dental Implants

• There is a rare chance of a failed implant, which occurs when the bone fails to grow appropriately around the screw.

• Some patients said they had issues with speech after surgery. Because implant-supported bridges are thick and bulky, you may need some therapy to re-learn how to articulate certain words and letters.

• To protect your new teeth from clenching and grinding, you'll need to wear a mouthguard at night.

• Because all-on-4 dental implants can be somewhat costly, you may wish to look into financing options.

• Some patients say their gums hurt, and they had trouble chewing for far longer than they expected, up to a month after surgery.

All-on-4 has a high success rate, but every procedure has risks and downsides. Infection, nerve injury, and gum damage are the most common dangers.

The All on four procedure often requires substantial bone contouring to make room for the prosthesis. It is also possible that your prosthetic teeth will crack, especially if your bite is incorrect. If you have any concerns or doubts regarding your implant placement, speak with your dentist. Be sure to have frequent check-ups with your dentist to ensure occlusion is accurate.

How Much Does the All On Four Procedure Cost

The treatment varies according to whatever kind of implant-supported full-arch restoration you choose. But, to give you a sense of what is involved, here is a step-by-step breakdown of the All-on-4 process:

Step 1: A consultation to assess your dental health and discuss your treatment choices. If you are a good candidate for an implant-supported denture, your dentist will determine some functional and aesthetic aspects of treatment, such as crown length and bite location. 3D imaging is utilized to examine anatomical structures involved, such as the jawbone, to see if any contouring or reduction is necessary.

Step 2: Your dentist will create a computer simulation of your procedure using 3D imaging of your mouth, which will pinpoint exactly where the implants will be placed for best support of the prosthesis.

Step 3: The final step entails a surgical procedure to insert the four (or more) implants. Temporary teeth are affixed to the implants until the implants have integrated in the bone and are capped with abutments. Tooth extraction and bone reduction may be performed at this time. During the six to the eight-week healing process, the diet must be carefully monitored to avoid hard or chewy meals that could cause harm to the prosthesis.

Step 4: Once the osseointegration process is complete, the temporary prosthesis is removed about three months after the initial surgery. Recovery time at this stage, should be short, with little discomfort. The acrylic temporaries are replaced with a fixed, permanent denture.

One of the critical advantages of implant-supported dentures is that you can walk into a dentist's office in need of a single or double arch replacement and leave with a natural-looking reconstructed smile the same day as surgery.

This is a huge benefit of implant-supported full arch treatment. One thing to note: it's important to remember that this "same-day" benefit only applies if there are no issues on the day of implant placement. Sometimes, the temporary prosthesis portion of the surgery will need to be delayed, should the implants lack primary stability and need extra time to integrate. Plan on the procedure taking several months from the point at which you receive your consult and subsequently schedule your surgery.

To provide this same-day service, your dentist should have the necessary digital dental technology on hand to produce a 3D map of your smile and fabricate temporary teeth. More dentists are upgrading their facilities to include the equipment required for chairside dental solutions, so keep this in mind when choosing a treatment specialist.

The cost of All-on-4 implants, or any other similar modality, varies, and is determined by several factors. Teeth extraction, bone grafting, sinus lifts, the need for additional implants and bone reduction procedures are a few factors that will cause the cost to vary. As a result, providing a cost estimate can be challenging, but not impossible. Although the All-on-4 procedure is an expensive one, it has the greatest longevity, the highest success rate and the highest patient satisfaction rate than other, removable options.

Are All-On-4 Dental Implants The Best Option

Advantages:

• Improves functionality by more than 90% when compared to natural teeth

• Patient is usually provided with a fixed prosthesis or “teeth” the day of surgery

• Preserves bone and soft tissue

• Natural-looking aesthetics

• Allows you to eat the foods you want

• Easy to clean

• Total time from surgery to healing to permanent restoration: 3–4 months)

Why Do Some Dentists Advertise All On 4 For Dental Implants While Others Say 5 Or 6? Which Is The Best

Despite the name "all on four," it is sometimes better to use 5 or 6 implants. This will be determined by your dental specialist and will depend on a number of factors.

To assist in stabilizing your hybrid denture, the All-On-6 idea adds two additional implants per arch. This is beneficial for patients with particularly long arches, as four implants could result in the final prosthesis fracturing.

Because two other implants (together with their prosthetic elements) are used to build your functional hybrid denture, the All-on-6 idea is usually more expensive.

Posterior dental implants (implants placed towards the back) are often slanted in the All-On-4 procedure. This reduces the cantilever effect, which reduces the risk of the hybrid denture breaking. The All-On-6 technique uses parallel implants. Because two more implants are placed towards the back of the jaw(s), the cantilever effect is reduced, lowering the risk of prosthesis breakage.

A permanent pair of hybrid dentures attached to implants are used to restore the upper and lower jaw. Pricing is probably one of the most significant distinctions between All-On-4 and All-On-6 procedures.