What are All-on-4 Dental Implants? Are they Beneficial?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every 1 in 6 adults over the age of 65 suffer from edentulism (loss of all teeth). This number increases significantly when considering people with severely damaged or decayed teeth, highlighting the importance of cosmetic dentistry

To find the best solution to edentulism, the ever-improving world of cosmetic dentistry has come up with All-on-4 Dental Implants. Let’s explore All-on-4 Dental Implants in detail to better understand this innovative treatment modality.        

What are All-on-4 Dental Implants?

All-on-4 dental implants consist of a bridge with a complete set of teeth supported by four implants placed strategically into the bone. To put it simply, consider a regular complete denture. If we attach four implants to it, anchored in the bone, we have an all-on-4 dental implant.

Traditional dental implants require 6-8 implants placed in each arch. However, the all-on-4 maximizes the use of available bone, eliminating the need for a bone graft or a sinus lift. This makes implants a more affordable and efficient treatment option.

Can You Get All-on-4 Dental Implants?

All-on-4 dental implants are indicated in patients who have lost all their teeth in one or two arches. Moreover, patients with grossly deteriorated teeth can also have all-on-4 dental implants after extraction. However, it is crucial to check the health of periodontal tissue before opting for any implant option.

Since conventional dental implants are embedded vertically in the bone, patients with compromised ridges cannot go for them without getting a surgical bone graft or a sinus lift procedure. In such patients, all-on-4 dental implants prove to be a beneficial treatment option. The minimum bone width required is 5mm, with a minimum height of 8-10 mm. 

How Does All-on-4 Dental Implants Work?

When a patient has reduced bone height, it is difficult to place the implant while avoiding sinus cavities in the maxilla and nerve pathways in the mandible. 

In the maxilla, two implants are placed vertically in the front. At the back, they are tilted at an angle of 30-45 degrees to avoid the overlying sinus. Similarly, the distal implants are tilted in the mandible, too, to avoid the inferior alveolar canal. Tilting these implants also reduces the cantilever at each end, preventing high-stress points in occlusion. These tilted implants are splinted later for extra support and grip.

What Does the Procedure Look Like?

Getting all-on-4 dental implants is a time-consuming procedure. During your first visit, a dentist will thoroughly examine your oral cavity and address issues like active caries or periodontal infection. If your teeth are decayed, they will be extracted periodically and given time to heal. 

After the initial examination, imaging procedures such as X-rays, OPGs, and CBCTs will be conducted to have a complete picture of your bone condition, sinuses, and nerve pathways. Based on that, they will devise and discuss a treatment plan with you.

Once all the prep is completed, the next step is to excise the gums, drill the bone, and strategically place four implants in each arch. After placement, they will put in a temporary set of teeth, so you don’t have to go home edentulous. 

After this appointment, your dentist will give you a few months to allow the titanium implant to fuse with your bone, a process called osseointegration. Once integrated, temporary teeth will be replaced with a custom-made set of permanent teeth. These teeth will be fine-tuned to occlude together perfectly. 

Finally, your dentist will provide instructions on maintaining your new teeth and the implants. They will also schedule follow-up appointments to monitor your condition.     

What are the Benefits of All-on-4 Dental Implants?

While considering the variety of options available in cosmetic dentistry, it is best to weigh your options beforehand. Let’s have a look at some benefits that come with all-on-4 dental implants. 

  • The before and after all-on-4 dental implants of previous patients show that they change the aesthetics drastically and boost confidence.
  • All-on-4 dental implants are more comfortable than dentures since they don’t slip or move while functioning.
  • The titanium posts integrate with the bone, preventing it from receding.
  • With fewer teeth involved, all-on-4 involves less trauma and faster healing.
  • The patient doesn’t have to undergo extensive surgical procedures like sinus lift and bone graft. 
  • The lesser cantilever at both ends distributes masticatory forces better and avoids the formation of high-stress points in occlusion. 

What are the Risks of All-on-4 Dental Implants?

Along with its benefits, all-on-4 dental implants have their disadvantages, too. Some of the all-on-4 dental implant problems are as follows;

  • The patient may face speech problems due to the bridge bulk.
  • Compared to all-on-6 dental implants, all-on-4s provide lesser strength and durability.
  • Adapting to the bridge bulk can be challenging for some patients, as they may feel uncomfortable with the sensation of acrylic in their mouth rather than soft tissue.
  • In contrast to removable prosthetic appliances, all-on-4s have a much longer healing time.
  • Patients with parafunctional habits like clenching or bruxism cannot feel those when they have all-on-4s on. It may lead to wear of the crown portion without the patient realizing it.
  • Compared to removable dentures, implants are costly. The chances of them being covered by insurance are also less.

How to Clean All-on-4 Dental Implants?

To increase the life of your all-on-4 dental implants, you must maintain them properly. Here are some tips to do so,

  • Brush with a soft toothbrush after every meal or at least twice a day.
  • Floss across the bridge and around the implants daily. 
  • Use antibacterial mouthwashes to wash away any bacteria under the bridge where bristles can’t reach.
  • Visiting a dentist after every few months for a thorough cleaning is ideal. If that’s not possible, go for an annual cleaning at least. 

Conclusion

All-on-4 dental implants have revolutionized the world of cosmetic dentistry. Hesed Dental is a reliable name for all-on-4 dental implants in NJ. Here, we understand the importance of having a healthy smile, offering comprehensive installation services of all-on-4 dental implants in NJ. 

Additionally, our in-house labs allow us to design custom veneers to meet our customers’ requirements. So contact us now if you need all-on-4 implants or are looking for custom-made veneers.