What is All On 4 Dental Implants?
Get ready to smile again
Is it true that only four implants can be used to replace all of the teeth on the top or the bottom of your mouth? Thanks to many advances in dental implant technology, the answer to this question is a very definite yes. It’s not something we may often consider, but tooth loss is actually very common among adults, and of course, especially as we age. In fact, more than 35 million Americans are actually missing all of their upper and/or lower teeth. But instead of living with the emotional and physical discomfort and various other hassles of dentures, many people are now opting for what is called full mouth dental implant restoration with the All On 4 dental implant procedure.
Four dental implants and one full arch
To best understand the All On 4 technique it is important to understand exactly what dental implants are. An implant is actually a titanium screw which is able to fit directly into the jawbone and then acts as a replacement for the root-part of the tooth that is missing. To insert the implant does require minor surgery. But, when the implant is properly in place a very realistic-looking prosthetic tooth (also known as a crown) can be attached to the implant, functioning very much like a natural tooth.
And, with the All On 4 implant technique you actually don’t need a separate implant for each missing tooth. All that is needed for a full restoration are four implants precisely placed on the bottom of the mouth, and four on the top of the mouth. Since the implants are made of titanium, living bone is then able to fuse and function as part of the implant, allowing the implant to eventually become part of your jawbone and function as a permanent, as well as strong foundation for the new teeth. The fusion of the bone with the jaw also serves in the prevention of further bone loss within the jaw, which also supports better oral health and helps to maintain facial structure that is more youthful in appearance, too.
Another impressive (and often noted) aspect of the All On 4 dental implant procedure is that it actually is doable in only one day. With an incredible array of phenomenal dental technology, dental implants and arches and temporary dentures can all be placed in just one day. Then, once the dental implants heal and fully fuse with the jawbone, with a follow up appointment the permanent dentures can be placed, which is again a very streamline process.
In determining which kind of implants might work best for you a consultation with your dentist can give you the complete information you need. Often in an initial consultation a 3D CT scan is taken which can help the health care professionals determine if you do need implants. Dental implants can change a person’s life in many positive ways, and with the technology that is now being used for implants there are many fulfilling options.