The All-on-4 Treatment Process
With All-on-4, an oral surgeon inserts just four dental implants into the patient’s jaw in order to secure an upper or lower denture. The four dental implants are placed at the front of the jaw, where the bone is thicker and wears away more gradually, and the outer two implants are angled below the gumline to better support the weight of the rear section of the denture. Therefore, this technique for implant-supported dentures is accessible to a wide variety of patients, including those who have already experienced some bone loss toward the rear of the jaw.
The four dental implants are placed in a single appointment that lasts a few hours, and many patients can be fitted with a temporary appliance at the end of that appointment, hence the term “Teeth in a Day.” Patients may be fitted with a permanent appliance after osseointegration of the dental implants is complete.
Advantages of Structurally Complete Dentures
Because the treatment uses dental implants to replicate some of the roots of absent teeth, All-on-4 has a number of advantages in comparison to conventional dentures. The dental implants anchor the bone tissue in the jaw, much in the same way that the roots of biological teeth do. This helps the shape of the jaw remain constant, and the implant-supported appliance retains its fit over time, unlike a conventional denture that will become loose as the jawbone atrophies.
Additionally, the bond between bone and implant facilitates more effective and efficient chewing because the appliance can withstand stronger forces. All-on-4 dental implants also feel more lifelike and boost patients’ self-confidence with the knowledge that their dentures are secure.
Teeth in a Day can restore your smile in a matter of hours, and that’s only one of the many benefits of this treatment option. If you are exploring your options for dentures, schedule an evaluation at Central Oklahoma Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Associates to see if this might be the right choice for you.