All-On-Four Dental Implants: Are They Right for Me?

Shawn Kimmel • December 9, 2019

Do you want to learn more about all-on-four implants and if they are the best option for you? Follow our comprehensive guide to learn more about the process.

For denture wearers everywhere, the latest technology in dental implants has been particularly interesting. "All-on-four dental implants" have been garnering a lot of attention as a superior alternative to the embarrassment and the discomfort that is often associated with dentures.

But are these dental implants right for you? And what are some of the benefits to choosing all-on-4-implants over other types of dental implants?

Read on to learn more.

What Are All-On-Four-Dental-Implants?

If you aren't familiar with dental implants, you might not have ever heard of "all-on-four" implants before. The "all" refers to all of the teeth, either a full upper implant or a full lower implant. The number "4" refers to the total number of implants that hold the full set in place.

So if your dentist recommends an "all-on-four" implant to you, what he or she is referring to is a full set of upper or lower teeth that will be installed in 4 separate dental implants.

All-On-Four Implants Are Easier to Install

When you're looking at your dental implant choices, there are a few things to take into consideration. You'll want to choose something durable, reliable, natural looking, and comfortable.

With the all-on-four dental implants, you can completely restore an entire set of teeth in just one trip to your dentist's office. This significantly cuts down on the amount of time you'll spend in the dentist's chair and reduces the number of surgical procedures you'll undergo to restore your teeth.

Bone grafts have been part of the standard dental implant process. When teeth are lost, your jaw loses bone mass, particularly if those missing teeth aren't replaced as soon as possible. The more bone that is lost, the harder it can be to add dental implants. This is why bone grafts are so common before an implant can be put into place.

When only four implants are required, however, your dentist can decide where your jaw bone is most dense and place the implants accordingly. This ability makes it less likely that a bone graft will be needed.

Enjoy Immediate Results

With as few as four dental implants required to completely restore an arch of your teeth, you can ditch your dentures and enjoy a permanent implant bridge in as quickly as one day in some cases.

This procedure can take decades off your smile while also assisting in preserving your jawbone from further deterioration. When you're missing teeth, you lose your facial structure. These dental implants can help sustain your face's shape, prevent wrinkles due to unsupported skin, and restore a more youthful smile.

Longevity Benefits

With the all-on-four dental implants, your new set of teeth are non-removable and fully supported by a retained bridge. Unlike dentures, these new implants never have to be removed. There are no special care requirements for these implants or any need for regular repairs or replacements. In other words, your new teeth can last a lifetime.

This is great news for those who have worried about the unpredictability of dentures. After all-on-four implants have been installed, you'll soon see them as you did your own, natural teeth and feel confident eating and smiling as if they were natural.

Care for Your New Teeth with Ease

Another benefit of these implants is the ease of care. With your normal oral hygiene efforts such as daily flossing and brushing, your teeth will stay clean and healthy for life. Of course, it's also crucial that you keep regular appointments with your dentist.

Should the unlikely damage occur, be sure to contact your dentist right away to schedule an appointment for repair.

Ideal Candidates

The ideal candidate for all-on-four dental implants is someone who is either currently wearing dentures or someone who will likely need dentures in the near future. Age isn't a factor, but any dental implant candidate should be in overall good health.

Oral health issues that threaten your natural teeth may possibly also be able to threaten your new implants. Having gum disease , or if you've had gum disease some time in the past, puts your implants at more risk, so be sure to discuss these issues with your dentist. If you have diabetes or have undergone recent radiation therapy, let your dentist know.

Also, those who are considering this procedure should not be taking any kind of medication that would impair their ability to heal. Be upfront with your dentist about any medications you're on before moving forward. You should be healthy enough to undergo surgery safely.

Be Aware of Issues

Since your new implants are all connected to each other and dependant upon each other, if just one of the implants comes loose, a full replacement would be required to fix the issue.

It's also important to realize that due to the quick installation process, you won't be able to "test out" your implants before deciding to go ahead. Once they are in, they are in so any appearance or bite issues would be harder to determine ahead of time.

Also, there's the possibility that some of your healthy teeth might need to be pulled in order to make room for the full arch implant. For some patients, this is enough of a reason to decide against these particular dental implants as they'd rather hold onto any of their own teeth where they're able.

And since the implants are attached in the anterior jawbone, there's a risk of eventual bone shrinkage in that area since your new implants will not be able to stabilize that part of your jawbone.

Learn More

Learn more about how all in four dental implants can benefit you by scheduling a consultation with us. We offer all the latest in cosmetic dentistry procedures to help our patients achieve the smile they've always wanted.

As with any dental procedure, results will depend upon the individual, so don't hesitate to contact us to discover whether or not you're a good candidate for all-on-four implants.

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