Advances in dentistry are progressing at a rapid rate. Patients who have more complex requirements are being offered more and more options to help restore their smile and improve their overall oral health. In particular, there is an evolution in how one or more damaged or missing teeth are treated and replaced. Dental implant technology is growing more sophisticated, with solutions available that look entirely natural and last a lifetime. People who have experienced more complex damage or extensive tooth loss can also benefit from innovative treatments offering highly effective – and permanent – restorative solutions, such as all on 4 implants.
All about all on 4 implants
All on 4 implants are so called because they comprise a dental bridge attached to four, six or eight implants, depending on the size of the gap. The more implants used, the stronger the results. The bridge covers multiple missing teeth, meaning that there is no need to add an implant for every single replacement tooth. A patient receiving all on 4 implant surgery can leave the dentist with a fully replaced set of teeth for a lot less time, expense and discomfort than having multiple single implants installed.
All on 4 implants can be paid for up front, or via a payment plan agreed with your dental clinic or surgery in advance. Costs will depend on the severity of the treatment required, and whether or not any additional services are involved, such as bone grafts or sedation. After the procedure, patients reports being able to return to their normal habits around eating, laughing, smiling – and kissing! All on 4 implants can restore confidence, improve appearance and improve overall oral health and wellbeing.
Who can benefit from having all on 4 implants?
All on 4 implants are suitable for a wide range of people who are missing a number of teeth in the upper and/or lower jaw. Many make the move after growing discontented or annoyed with dentures. They offer a permanent, comfortable alternative that looks natural and only requires the same type of cleaning as natural teeth. It is important that the patient has all their adults teeth in, so that the implants are not disturbed by new teeth erupting under the gums. So, the procedure is reserved for adults. Your dentist will carry out a full medical history check in advance of agreeing to installing all on 4 implants. There may be certain conditions that preclude treatment, or that have to be cleared up first.
How does the all on 4 implants fitting procedure work?
The process is straightforward and can, in some cases, all be done in one day. Your dentist will take a full medical history, as well as precise measurements and scans. This is to ensure that the artificial teeth that sit on top of the all on 4 implants look and feel natural. The implants will be inserted into the jawbone under anaesthetic. This will only involve a very small section of bone tissue, so should be minimally invasive. The position and angle of the implants means that the bone density is not as vital as for single implants. You also do not need to wait until the all on 4 implants fuse with the bone before moving to the next stage, unlike single implants. A temporary dental bridge is normally fitted on the same day, with the permanent model installed a few weeks later.
How to look after your teeth after having all on 4 implants fitted
One huge benefit of all on 4 implants is that you can treat them in the same way as natural teeth, once they have been fitted, checked and signed off as complete. In the early days, take a little more care than usual. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and avoid chewing or biting down on anything hard or sticky for a while. Maintain a good oral hygiene routine, brushing and flossing at least twice a day. Book a check-up appointment six months on from the surgery to ensure that all is going well. If you feel any discomfort or pain, or experience any damage, return to your dentist immediately. Avoid smoking and drinking excess alcohol, especially in the early post-fitting stages.
