All on 4 Frequently Asked Questions
It is best to understand what an All on 4 dental implant is before you begin asking questions. Today over 35 million American adults are dealing with complete loss of their teeth, in either their upper or lower arch. Sometimes both. Your teeth are taken for granted, performing a daily essential function for the biting, chewing, and digesting of the food you need for proper nutrition. You can choose traditional dentures, or you can consider dental implants. A dental implant is a tiny titanium post surgically positioned into your jawbone. When the post is allowed to fuse and bond to the jawbone it now functions like a tooth root. Then a crown fabricated in a dental lab is placed on top of the post. An All in 4 is when just four posts are placed to anchor the entire arch of artificial teeth. An acrylic bridge containing the artificial crowns teeth is fastened to the four posts. Following are some frequently asked questions about All on 4.
Who is the Ideal Candidate for All on 4?
If you have lost all your teeth in either arch, you are a candidate. If you are tired of your traditional dentures, then you are a candidate. Age is not a factor.
What is the Success Rate with All on 4 Dental Implants?
After over ten years of studies on finished restorations the published success rate is over 98%.
How are All on 4 Dental Implants Different from Traditional Dentures?
The All on 4 approach is considered a permanent solution. They are secured, stable, not removable, and look, feel and function just like your natural teeth.
How Long is the Implant Surgery?
The oral surgery to place the titanium posts in your jawbone will take around 2.5 hours.
How Long is the Healing Process after the Surgery?
After your dentist has placed your four implants, you will leave with a temporary set of teeth. The posts will need natural time to fuse, grow, and integrate to the bone. This will take several months. During this period, the dental lab will be fabricating your permanent teeth to complete the treatment.
Do the All on 4 Dental Implants Require Any Special Treatment?
We are all unique. But you still need to continue to brush your new teeth twice a day as you had been doing with your natural teeth. You also need to continue to floss at least once a day. Plaque, with the bacteria, will continue to form in your mouth every day. Your dentist will recommend an appropriate oral hygiene plan that compliments both your diet and your lifestyle.
Will The All on 4 look Natural?
The quick and simple answer is absolutely yes. The All on 4 dental implants will look, feel and function just like your natural teeth and no one will even know you have All on 4 implants unless you tell them.
The Benefits of All on 4?
They will be cared for like your natural teeth. They do not need to be removed and there are no adhesives being used as with traditional dentures. They are more comfortable because you do not have the pressure of trays resting or sitting on your gums. You will experience hot and cold sensations, you will prevent jawbone atrophy and negative facial feature changes, your speech will be natural, and you will maintain your healthy smile.