There’s no doubt that all-on-four dental implants are a superior solution to the problem of tooth loss and decay. Yet, getting these dental implants is a highly invasive treatment technique that should not be opted for lightly.
When considering getting all-on-four implants, the best person to make this decision is an experienced dental implant surgeon.
Before deciding whether all-on-four dental implants are comfortable or seeing how much all-on-four dental implants cost. Let us learn more about dental implants and the accompanying treatment plan in greater detail below.
What are All-on-Four Dental Implants?
As per the CDC, around 26% of adults aged 65 and above have either eight or fewer teeth remaining. 17% have lost all their teeth.
Severe tooth loss, i.e., being left with eight or fewer teeth, can seriously impact one’s ability to eat and get proper nutrition.
All-on-four dental implants are permanent dentures used to replace an entire row of teeth with just (you guessed it right!) four dental implants.
The all-on-four technique reduces the amount of oral surgery required in case of severe or complete tooth loss. Instead of surgically implanting individual titanium screws separately for every lost tooth. Four implants are enough to support a full set of lower or upper teeth.
This treatment is a good option for patients who have lost several teeth due to tooth decay, periodontal disease, physical trauma or injury, etc.
While this treatment is revolutionary in every aspect, it’s also quite complex. Many people considering all-on-four implants have a few common concerns. Are they comfortable, and how much do all-on-four dental implants cost?
The answer is yes, there may be some initial discomfort after surgery. But everything else is a breeze once the dentures are in place. It is important to follow all the instructions shared by your dental team and maintain good oral health post-implantation.
Let us now examine the structure of all-on-four implants to understand what makes them a better option for severe tooth loss.
All-On-Four Dental Implants: Structure and Components
All-on-4 dental implants have three essential structural components:
- Metal Implants: Four titanium screw-like implants are surgically inserted into the jawbone to support one row of teeth, whether in the lower or upper jaw.
Two implants are placed vertically toward the front, and the other 2 are placed at a 45° angle in the posterior region to support an entire arch of teeth.
- Abutment: This part protrudes through the gum line and is used to anchor the artificial crowns or dentures in place.
- Dentures: The last thing to go on top is the dental bridge or denture connected to the abutment that serves as your new teeth. Most dentists will first fit you with a temporary set of dentures. And see how well they fit before fixing the permanent dentures.
Learning About Dental Implants All-on-Four Technique
After learning about the different components of all-on-4 dental implants. Let us dive deeper into all the steps involved in their implantation process.
- Initial Consultation: The path to getting dental implants starts with a proper examination to determine whether you are a viable candidate or not.
Your dentist will conduct an extensive examination of your mouth. Order X-rays and CBCT scans, and discuss your dental and medical history.
- Implant Placement and Recovery: The next stage is tooth extraction and implant placement if you emerge as a viable candidate for these implants.
The implants are surgically inserted into your jawline during this stage. Temporary dentures are placed to help your implant sites heal.
- Recovery: The initial 72 hours post-implantation are critical. You need to do everything your dentists have recommended to avoid infection and promote healing.
You then need to wait for 3 to 6 months for osseointegration. During this time, the implants fuse with your jawbone. Once it’s complete, your dentist will replace your temporary dentures with permanent ones.
You need to follow the diet and all dental care recommendations from your dental team during this time. You may be restricted to a soft-food diet during this period to reduce discomfort. And to avoid agitating your implants and gums for faster healing.
While this may seem like a major inconvenience, the benefits you will get to enjoy once you are healed will be entirely worth it.
Mistakes to Avoid While Getting All-on-Four Dental Implants
Now that you understand what getting all-on-four dental implants implies, here are a few mistakes to avoid while going for initial consultations.
- Not Consulting an Experienced Implant Dentist: Always check the dentist’s credentials and ask how many all-on-four implant cases they have worked on during the initial consultation. Your dentist should have completed at least 50 cases to achieve expertise.
- Not Checking Your Eligibility: As mentioned above, not everyone is eligible for all-on-four dental implants. A specific bone density level is required for implant insertion and fusion.
Failing that, your dentist may recommend alternative treatment like dentures and bridges or perform a bone graft to strengthen your jawbone.
- Not Determining Whether You Need Them: All-on-four implants are recommended for cases with severe tooth loss as it’s an invasive procedure. It’s important to consult a trusted dentist to recommend the best treatment for your specific situation.
- Not Getting Written Tips after Surgery: Your dental team will give you a list of precautions post-surgery. However, you may not be able to remember them all when you are heavily sedated or in pain post-surgery.
It is crucial to get these tips in writing so that you can study them again later. If your local clinic does not provide any written literature, you can note them down yourself or even have a friend or family member do it.
FAQs
- What do all-on-four implants feel like?
All-on-dental implants feel comfortable once they are set in place as they do not press down on your gums, unlike dental bridges.
While you may feel some pain or discomfort post-surgery, it will go away soon if you follow all the care instructions and allow yourself to heal properly.
Once your recovery is complete, you will gain bite strength, recover your speech, and experience hot and cold foods again.
- How long do all-on-four implants last?
All-on-four dental implants usually last between 20 to 25 years with proper care. The dental prosthesis fixed on top is subject to more intense wear-and-tear and lasts 10 to 15 years.
- How much do all-on-four dental implants cost?
When calculating how much all-on-four dental implants cost, there are various factors to consider. The average price for an arch is approximately $25,000.
All-on-four dental implants can cost you anywhere between $12,000 to $50,000, depending on whether you need bone grafts or additional repair work.
- How often do all-on-four implants fail?
While the chance of failure in all-on-four implants is relatively low, in 5% of cases, the implants cannot fuse to the bone. These cases of implant failure are rare, yet they do occur in some instances.
It’s crucial to check your current jawbone density before the implant procedure.
- What to expect after all-on-four surgery?
Most patients experience a dull ache during the recovery period. However, the pain is considerably lower than in the case of other dental implants or surgeries.
You can take painkillers for the same and resume work 2 to 3 days post-surgery. You must follow all post-op care instructions to ensure a shorter recovery time.
Get Your Dental Implant Consultation at River’s Bend Family Dental Clinic Today!
The dental experts at River’s Bend Family Dental Clinic are well-versed in all-on-four dental implants and have several successful surgeries to our name.
If you are looking for a proper dental implant consultation or family dental services in Ramsey, MN, you can book an appointment by calling us at: 763-576-1855 or check out our website
