Implant-supported Full Arch Restorations – All on 4 Implants
The best and most popular solution for tooth replacement is dental implants. In this solution, missing teeth are replaced with permanent teeth that attach to the jawbone as natural teeth would. However, this option is also the most expensive.
There is a new, better, and match cheaper solution that also involves dental implants: All-on-Four full arch restoration.
What are All-on-Four Implants?
Consider a situation whereby all or most of your teeth are missing. In this case, a dentist would have to implant individual teeth until your denture is full again. However, all you need is a surface area that would act as your teeth.
All-on-Four dental implants are fixed prosthetics that cover the length of several teeth. They come in four pieces that cover the interior and posterior of the mouth.
How are All-on-Four Implants Different?
The most prominent difference between conventional dental implants and all-on-four implants is their size and shape. All-on-four implants are longer as they cover the length of several teeth. Each arch is designed to cover half of each row of teeth.
The manner in which both types of implants are installed is different. With single implants, the dentist has to fix each tooth to fit the cavity. With all-on-four implants, however, a particular approach has to be taken to ensure that the jawbone has to accommodate the elongated size of the implant. It utilizes sophisticated 3D design and angle adjustment to make the implants fit.
Implantation Procedure
Everyone has a unique denture. Single implants are easy to install as they are designed to fit each cavity, hence taking on the patient’s natural shape. However, the unique shape of the all-on-four implants makes them a bit difficult to install. As such, the dentist uses 3D scan to determine the patient’s denture and adjust the implants accordingly.
The dentist combines the 3D scan with a computer simulation to determine the ideal angle where the implants have to be placed to fit appropriately. Supposing that a computer simulation is not enough, then the dentist may be required to perform surgical procedures to adjust the jawbone. Additionally, if you have few remaining teeth, then the dentist may need to extract them to make room for the all-on-four implants.
Since the mouths anterior is consistent in its shape, the two anterior implants are installed straightforwardly. The posterior implants, on the other hand, have to be tilted to an angle of 45 degrees to ensure that they not only fit but also take the proper shape.
Recovery Process
All-on-four implants tend to heal quickly, but proper care has to be taken to ensure that the process is flawless. However, before you can get fully recovered, you first have to make one last trip to the dentist. Since the dentist first installs temporary acrylics to make room for the permanent implants, the acrylics first have to be removed and replaced with the permanent dentures. The process is relatively quick and painless, and you may not even feel any irritation.
However, before the acrylics are removed, you will have to take about six to eight weeks to heal. It is a delicate period when care should be taken to avoid disturbing the teeth. To this end, you should avoid eating hard foods as they may distort the acrylics. Additionally, the dentist will administer a cleaning procedure that should be followed to the letter to prevent bacteria from infecting the gums.
Same Results at Fraction the Cost of Single Implants
All-on-four implants are popular not only for their efficacy but also because they are significantly cheaper compared to single implants. A single implant can cost up to $3,000 to install. It would take a lot more thousands of dollars to install a full denture. However, all-on-four implants are cheaper as they come only in four parts. On average, it cost between $30,000 and $45,000 to install full all-on-four implants. The price is still quite steep, but it is a fraction of the former, and the good looks and functionality are worth it.
And, inspire of their different design, all-on-four implants have the same appearance as natural teeth. They even have similar crevices and a strictly identical makeup. What’s more, they remedy some of the aesthetic defects such as wide gaps and crooked teeth often associated with natural teeth.
The all-on-four implants should stay firm in place for many years to come, and they are not readily susceptible to cavities and other defects associated with single teeth thanks to their robust design. However, it is still essential to maintain proper hygiene.
Teeth in one day!
It doesn’t always happen, but a dentist can install all-on-four implants in just one day. The process is quite quick, and if all the factors suit the job, then the dentist can get to work right away. However, it is always essential to go for a certified and experienced dentist to ensure that you enjoy top-quality services.