All-on-four is considered to be a type of implant-supported denture.
At your consultation, we will conduct an exam & take x-rays to determine if you have sufficient jaw bone density to support implants. We will take impressions of your teeth to create your restoration.
A series of implants will be placed in the upper and lower jaw. We will make incisions into the gums, place the titanium posts in the jawbone, and suture the gums shut.
It will take 3-6 months for your implants to fuse with the jawbone through a process called osseointegration. This has to be complete before we can continue onto the next phase.
After osseointegration is complete, we will attach abutments that will connect to your denture or bridge. Your denture or bridge is created by an outside dental lab based on impressions of your mouth.
Once your denture or bridge is ready, we will test how they fit attached to your implants. Sometimes a metal bar is placed on the abutments. If no adjustments are needed, we can secure it in place.
If you don’t have enough jaw bone density to support implants, you can undergo a bone grafting procedure.
Implant-Supported dentures can be either removable or fixed. The removable dentures are also referred to as overdentures and these are the most common type of implant-supported dentures. Which option is best for you depends on your situation and lifestyle. We can help you make this determination at your consultation.
They differ from regular dentures because the implants restore the tooth roots and preserve the jawbone whereas normal dentures accelerate bone loss. They also securely hold the teeth in place to prevent shifting while you speak or chew.
Many patients complain about their regular dentures moving around or falling out when they talk. Finally, this is a long-term solution. Dental implants have a lifespan of 25 years to a lifetime. Dentures only last for a few years and also result in your facial structure changing.
This means you’ll need to replace your dentures sooner as your face and bite change. With dental implants, you have more facial support and won’t suffer from premature facial sagging.
The maintenance involved in caring for your implant-supported dentures depends in part on what type you have chosen - removable or fixed. Fixed dentures are treated much like your natural teeth.
You will brush them twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and should floss with a water flosser. We recommend that you swish around an antibacterial mouthwash once a day to remove bacteria and food particles.
All of this applies to removable dentures, except you will need to remember to take them out when you sleep and soak them overnight in a denture solution. You need to brush your removable dentures at least twice a day.
You can take them out to make it easier to thoroughly scrub. Always rinse them out when taking them out and before putting them back in.
Removable implant-supported dentures snap onto the implants and are more prone to movement than fixed dentures.
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