According to research, millions of American adults are missing all of their natural teeth, which can lead to a variety of issues, including:
For many years, the primary treatment for patients who were missing all of their teeth was conventional dentures. However, this solution has a few disadvantages. Dental implants, on the other hand, offer a more natural look, feel, and function.
The problem is, replacing every tooth with a single dental implant can cost $60,000+, which most patients can’t afford. Matthew Dental Group offers a better option: All-on-4 dental implants.
All-on-4 dental implants is a tooth restoration option that replaces a full arch of missing teeth with only 4 dental implants. This offers many benefits, including improved oral health, better aesthetics, increased comfort and convenience, and more.
In this article, we’ll explain what you need to know about All-on-4 dental implants.
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There are several things that are taken into consideration when determining a patient’s eligibility for dental implants.
As a general rule, dental implants are not recommended for patients under the age of 18 because their jawbone is still developing and growing. Adults of any age can qualify for dental implants if they are in good oral and overall health and have adequate bone density. However, it is important to note that older patients are at a higher risk of implant failure because they typically have underlying health conditions that can impact healing.
You must have good oral health and oral hygiene habits to qualify for dental implants. If your oral health is not good, you are at an increased risk of implant failure.
Dental implants require adequate bone density and health. If your jawbone is deteriorating or you have a condition that impacts the health of your jawbone, you may want to consider a different type of restoration.
There are certain health conditions that can have an impact on healing and the success or failure of dental implants. This includes diabetes, heart disease, and others. If you have any of these, it is important to make the team aware of it and to involve your general care provider in the process.
Conventional dentures sit and rub on the gums, which can cause pressure and friction sores. Additionally, if not cared for properly, dentures can collect bacteria, which can lead to infection. Dental implants are inserted into the jawbone, acting as artificial tooth roots, allowing you to brush/floss as usual.
Conventional dentures must be replaced or relined every few years due to jawbone deterioration. Dental implants are designed to last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance. The overdenture may need to be replaced after 15 to 20 years due to wear and tear.
Conventional dentures often look like artificial teeth because they shift around in the mouth. Dental implants, on the other hand, are secured in place with the jawbone, creating a more natural appearance.
Conventional dentures can cause pressure and friction sores on the gums, which can be painful. Since dental implants are inserted in the jawbone, they don’t move, which means they are much more comfortable.
Conventional dentures must be removed nightly for cleaning, which can be inconvenient if you are away from home. Dental implants, on the other hand, are inserted into the jawbone, becoming a permanent part of your mouth. They do not require any special treatment- simply brush and floss as usual.
The Oral and Maxillofacial Associates state that All-on-4® dental implants have a success rate of 98 percent. With All-on-4® dental implants, patients have a 98 percent probability of leaving our Smithtown office with a perfect set of teeth that are permanently attached to your jawbone. To discuss how successful the procedure may be for you, call our dental office.
The procedure for All-on-4 dental implants takes a minimum of several months from start to finish and involves several steps.
Every procedure at Matthew Dental Group starts with a consultation. During this visit, the dentist will get acquainted with you and perform a comprehensive examination. Typically, x-rays and other necessary imaging will be done at this time as well.
We will discuss your current oral and overall health, your oral hygiene habits, and your expectations for treatment. We will explain the All-on-4 procedure, including its advantages and limitations.
If you have dental anxiety, we can discuss your sedation options.
We understand that no two patients are exactly alike. Therefore, we will use the information collected at the consultation appointment to create a personalised treatment plan.
If you require any preparatory procedures, such as extractions, gum disease treatment, or bone grafting/sinus lifting, those will be done first. In order to be successful, dental implants require healthy gums and jawbones.
Once all of the preparatory procedures are complete and you have healed, the implants can be placed. The dentist will administer local anesthesia to numb the area. If needed, you will be given a sedative to help you relax, and if you have extreme dental anxiety, we can give you a sedative to help you sleep through the procedure.
Once the anaesthesia has taken effect, an incision will be made in the gum and a hole drilled in the jawbone. For All-on-4, a total of 4 dental implants will be placed. Two are placed in the back at an angle. This will allow for a greater bite force. The other two are placed in the front, straight.
Once the implants have been placed, the incisions will be stitched closed, and a temporary prosthetic will be placed. You will then be sent home to heal. This is when the jawbone will heal around and fuse with the implant.
For the first few days following surgery, you’ll want to stick to a liquid diet. This includes smoothies, protein shakes, pudding, Jell-O, applesauce, and the like. After a few days, you can transition to a soft food diet, which can include potatoes, scrambled eggs, steamed veggies, soft fruits, fish, chicken, and the like.
Foods that are tough, crunchy, spicy, acidic, or sticky, as these can cause complications with healing, potentially leading to implant failure.
After a few months, when osseointegration is complete, you will return to the office to have the temporary prosthesis removed and the permanent one placed. The permanent prosthesis is custom-made to fit your mouth.
The permanent prosthesis will restore the appearance and functionality of your smile.
All-on-4 dental implants is the ideal solution for patients who are missing all of their teeth in one or both arches. This treatment is extensive, but worth the time in the end because they look, feel, and function more like natural teeth than conventional braces.
If you are missing most or all of your teeth and believe that All-on-4 dental implants may be right for you, schedule your consultation with the team at Matthew Dental Group in Smithtown, NY. We are located at 765 Smithtown Bypass Unit 2 in Smithtown.
You can visit our website to book an appointment or call the office.
Our office hours are Monday and Tuesday from 8:30 AM to 7:00 PM, Wednesday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Thursday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Friday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.