What is an All-On-Four Dental Implant?
Patients who need to have most of their teeth replaced do not have to rely on a traditional denture to restore their mouth and quality of life. An all-on-four implant denture is a fixed denture that can replace an entire arch of teeth and even both arches when necessary. A fixed denture simply means that the appliance cannot be removed by the patient and requires a dentist to remove the denture from the implants. Utilizing dental implants, an all-on-four provides comfort and stability where a traditional denture falls short.
What is an all-on-four dental implant?
Though it is most often referred to as an all-on-four dental implant, the number of implants actually used varies case to case. Some patients need four implants where others need six or eight implants per arch. A dental implant is a titanium screw that acts as an artificial tooth root which is surgically placed directly into the jawbone. Your doctor will make a small incision in the gum tissue and drill a hole in the bone to place each implant. Implants do take some time to heal and become integrated with the bone structure, up to 6 months, and it is important to take proper care of your implants to avoid infection and ensure that they heal properly.
During this time, a temporary healing cap is worn on each implant along with a temporary denture. Your dentist will provide the temporary denture which will be like a traditional denture that is removed for oral hygiene and sleeping.
Once the implants are ready for restoration, the healing caps are removed and implant abutments are placed directly onto each implant and the permanent implant denture is screwed down onto the abutments. Your new implant denture will have a full arch of porcelain teeth fixed to a metal framework that holds them in place on the dental implants.
Who is a candidate for an all-on-four dental implant?
Most patients are a likely candidate for all-on-four dental implants. As long as you are overall healthy and do not have any underlying medical conditions that would compromise your jaw bone or the implants. The best way to determine if you are a candidate is to see your dentist and discuss your options. If your dentist thinks dental implants are right for you, they will provide a referral to a periodontist or oral surgeon for an implant evaluation.
It is important to communicate to your dentist and specialist exactly what you are looking for from your new prosthesis and to disclose any lifestyle habits that could affect your treatment. A treatment planning consultation is a great way to discuss financial aspects and the feasibility of an all-on-four denture for your individual needs.
If you have dental insurance, it may cover some of the cost of treatment but keep in mind that you likely have a maximum benefit amount that your insurance will pay out per year and the remainder will be out of pocket. Many offices offer financing plans either directly with the office or through a third party patient financing company.
If you are missing a significant number of teeth and do not want a traditional denture, speak with your dentist to see if an all-on-four dental implant is right for you.
