The All-On-4 Procedure From Diagnosis To Recovery

20 July 2018

The All-On-4 Procedure from Diagnosis to Recovery

Tooth loss is a painful and stressful experience for many, and most people do their best to save their teeth. Losing the frontal teeth particularly affects the aesthetic of an individual, and people will want to take any step to bring back their smile.

People who have lost a single tooth have the option of implants where the dentist implants metal or non-metal screws, called implants, into the jawbone and mount a tooth-coloured crown over it. It replaces the missing or lost tooth and gives the patient a perfect array of teeth for confident smiles.

In some situations, people lose multiple or all teeth in the upper or lower jaw and need to replace a complete arch of teeth. The traditional removable dentures are not a good solution for many as they can fall and make chewing and talking difficult. Most people prefer a fixed dental solution that can provide permanent results.

Putting implants for each tooth can affect the strength of jawbones. In such a process, dentists may have to use 10-14 implants for a row to ensure a full arch of teeth. This is where All-on-4 dental implants become the ideal choice for full arch teeth restoration.

All-On-4: The Ideal Solution For Total Smile

All-on-4 is a unique teeth implant procedure that ensures a full-arch replacement of teeth with just four implants on your upper or lower jaw. Dentists can mount crowns or a full set of dentures over the implants to provide a complete array of teeth for the patients.

As a minimally invasive treatment, full-arch replacements are a highly acceptable option. Since the 1990s, this treatment become popular, and thousands of patients around the globe have received solutions for their dental worries with the help of All-on-4 treatment.

It is an ideal option for people who are struggling with terminal dentition as well. Terminal dentition is a condition where the patient’s teeth have deteriorated beyond treatment recovery. It may also be posing a threat to the patient’s health. The only solution for most people with terminal dentition is to extract these teeth and to replace them with prosthetic teeth.

It is also an excellent treatment solution for people who are encountering edentulism or toothlessness.

3D Imaging And Treatment Planning

Before proceeding with the All-on-4 dental implant option, your dentist will screen your teeth and confirm the need for the procedure. Your dentist can also advise whether the All-on-4 treatment will provide you with the desired result.

Many dental clinics have the modern 3D digital imaging equipment to take high-quality images and X-rays of your teeth, gums, and jaws. The dentist will check the bone quality and quantity of your jaws using 3D models and 3D radiological dataset. They will also use implant surgical planning software to judge the outcome and speed-up the implant procedure.

Your dentist will analyse the anatomy of your jaw and identify the best places for implant placement. It includes the angulation, distribution, and optimisation of the position of the implants using the software.

The All-On-4 Procedure

The All-on-4 dental implant treatment is a single day procedure with quick recovery. Your dental specialists will start the procedure by taking the measurements of your gum and jaw to ensure accurate All-on-4 implant to avoid occlusion issues later.

In many cases, your dental specialists may do a bone reduction process in your jaw using dental tools. The dentist cut the flaps of your gum and access your jaw to perform the bone reduction process. They form a concave surface on the crest of the jawbone to ensure proper fitting of implants into it.

After the crest of jawbones are shaped into a concave surface, your dentist will use a soft drill and twist drill tools to drill your soft bone as well as dense bone into your jaw. The drilling helps the dentist to fix the implants into your jaws and gums.

You should note that the dentist will drill wherever the implant is needed; they will normally do four drills in your jaw. The dentist usually drill your bone up to 13 millimetres to permanently fix the implants into your jaw.

The dentist will then install the implants using an implant driver RP connection and implant insertion torque. They will then correct the orientation of the implants using a multi-unit abutment conical connection.

The dentist will put sutures on the flaps for the recovery. They will also put multiunit healing caps over each of the implants installed.

In the second stage of the All-on-4 dental implant process, the dentist will take impressions and measurements of your bites for preparing a model. The model is used for designing dentures in the labs.

After the recovery, your dentist will remove the healing caps and put temporary copings above the implants.

In the meantime, your dentures will be ready at the laboratory, and the dentists will insert it into your jaws using the implants. They will first remove the healing caps and put temporary bridges. The dentist will check your occlusion and adjust it to ensure proper bite.

Finally, after sufficient healing time, the dentist will permanently fix the dentures over the implants and screw it.

Altogether, the All-on-4 dental implant process is an advanced oral rehabilitation procedure that requires the involvement of dentist who are experts in it.

The Advantages Of All-On-4

All-on-4 dental implants have many advantages compared to other teeth replacement options.

• It helps people to get a complete arch of teeth with just four implants, without the need for individual implants for each tooth.
• It is a minimally invasive process and only needs a minor surgery.
• The treatment is the finest option to get a full arch of teeth in a single day.
• Compared to other treatment processes, the All-on-4 treatment process needs almost no bone grafting.
• Studies show that All-on-4 dental implants enhance the health and strength of jawbones.
• Since implants are placed deep inside the jawbones, they will feel like natural teeth and do not face issues like loosening or shifting.
• Compared to the other treatment options for full-arch replacements, All-on-4 is an affordable choice.
• All-on-4 comes with immediate function, and patients can also quickly go for the treatment after the dentist confirm the procedure for them.
• Altogether, the treatment option improves the quality of life of patients and enhance their facial aesthetics.
• The treatment also helps people to improve their oral health.

Though it offers an excellent range of benefits, not everyone can be eligible for the All-on-4 dental implant treatment due to it needs sufficient level of bone to hold the implants.

Types Of Implants Used

Most dental procedures use either titanium or ceramic implants. People wanting metal implants will find that titanium implants are their best choice, whereas patients who want a non-metallic choice can select ceramic implants.

Though you can also find polymer and carbon compound implants, those implants are not convenient for daily use and are less popular. Carbon compound implants face the issue of brittleness, and polymer implants are used for only adjusting the stress of other implants.

When it comes to titanium and ceramic implants, both are known for their non-reactive properties. Their materials also show excellent biocompatible properties and do not produce any toxins inside the human body. Therefore, the human body accepts these implants, and you would not face any inflammation or prolonged pain.

Additionally, both the implants showcase excellent durability and strength. Titanium implants in particular can last for life if you take proper care of them. Since ceramic implants come without any metal parts, it increases the facial aesthetics of the patient. Also, patients do not experience issues like corrosion of implants.

All-On-4 Cost

The cost of the All-on-4 dental procedure can vary based on several factors, including the dental practice’s location, the dental professionals’ expertise, the materials used for the prosthetics, and any additional treatments that might be needed prior to the procedure. All-on-4 is a cost-effective solution compared to individual dental implants for full mouth restoration since it requires fewer implants.

How Long Will be All-On-4 Implants Last?

In theory, the longevity of your All-on-4 dental implants is closely tied to the health of your jawbone. The implants should remain securely embedded if your jawbone remains in good health. It’s important to note that individual cases may vary, and factors such as oral hygiene, regular dental check-ups, and overall health can affect the lifespan of your All-on-4 implants. Regular dental care and maintenance are crucial to ensure the long-term success of your dental implants.

The Recovery

The recovery period for All-on-4 treatment varies from person to person, and dental specialists usually confirm it while a patient goes through the treatment. While some people can start work and do normal activities the next day, others may need more time to recover. However, most people can start their regular activities within three to four days.

During the recovery period, dental specialists often instruct patients to consume liquids and soft foods. It is to ensure that the jawbone of the patient fuses with the implants comfortably. While dentists usually recommend liquid foods in the initial days, they usually allow patients to consume pasta as well as cooked vegetables in the later days.

However, most dentists prevent their patients from eating hard foods for three months. It also helps patients to ensure a quick recovery and for implants to better infuse with the jaws.

Most people can expect total recovery and get the complete use of their prosthetics in six months.

How Do I Know If All-On-4 Is Suitable for Me?

The All-on-4 treatment is generally suitable for many individuals seeking to replace all their teeth. If you have concerns about your dental health and fall into any of the following categories, you might be a good candidate for All-on-4 treatment:

• Missing Teeth: If you are missing all or most of your teeth, All-on-4 can provide a comprehensive solution to restore your smile.
• Deteriorated Teeth: In cases where your teeth are severely broken, decayed, or deteriorated and cannot be effectively repaired, All-on-4 offers a viable option.
• Loose Teeth: If you have loose teeth that are causing discomfort or affecting your oral function, All-on-4 can stabilise your dental situation.
• Gum Disease: All-on-4 can be suitable for individuals with gum disease, providing a chance to restore both the aesthetics and function of their teeth.
• Denture Wearers: Those currently using dentures but seeking a more secure and permanent solution can benefit from All-on-4 implants.

To determine if All-on-4 dental implants are the right choice for your specific circumstances, scheduling a free consultation with the qualified dentists at Bay Street Dental Group is recommended. Our experienced team will assess your oral health, discuss your goals, and provide personalized guidance on the best treatment options for restoring your smile and improving your quality of life. Call us today at (03) 9646 2577 to schedule your consultation.

Conclusion

All-on-4 dental implants are ideal for anyone who wants to get a complete smile with a minimally invasive dental procedure. This procedure gives you permanent, fixed prosthetic solutions to replace your missing or damaged teeth.

This state-of-the-art treatment has an excellent success rate due to the minimal number of implants and modern diagnostic and imaging equipment. The treatment option has added confidence and smiles to thousands of faces to date.

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