Dental implants act as prosthetic tooth roots. Does that mean, then, that you need an implant for each missing tooth? Not necessarily. With All-on-4 dental implants, we can help patients in Metairie enjoy efficient and reliable full-arch tooth replacement with the use of just four implant posts. Plus, we can provide you with a new denture on the same day that you get your implants!! To learn more about this remarkable and expedited treatment, get in touch with Nelson Dental Care today. We look forward to helping you smile!
How Do All-on-4 Dental Implants Work?
All-on-4 is exclusively for patients who require a full arch of new teeth. During the procedure, we place four dental implants at strategic locations in the jawbone. Two go toward the front, and two are placed toward the back at a 45-degree angle. By using areas where the bone is naturally strong and thick, we can often avoid the need for a bone graft. Plus, the implants are able to support a provisional (temporary) denture on the same day they are placed. After a healing period of a few months, you will receive a permanent denture to replace the provisional one.
Am I A Candidate for All-on-4 Dental Implants?
You may be a candidate for All-on-4 treatment if:
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You have lost all or most of your teeth throughout a dental arch.
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You have adequate bone density in your jaw to support dental implants. (Most patients meet this criterion, even without a bone graft.)
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You are free of active gum disease.
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You are well enough to undergo minor surgery.
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You are determined to stick to good habits that will protect your restored smile. For example, you should be diligent about oral hygiene.
If you are unsure whether you qualify for All-on-4, schedule a consultation with us. Most patients are eligible!
In the case of a few missing teeth in a row, Dr. Nelson can use two implant-retained crowns to support a bridge. He’ll simply place two crowns on either side of the gap in your smile, and these will be attached to prosthetic teeth that fill the space.
Benefits of All-on-4 Dental Implants
Some noteworthy benefits of All-on-4 dental implants include:
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Your denture will be permanently fixed in your mouth, so you can care for it it similarly to natural teeth.
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You can expect to enjoy a strong bite force. In fact, you should be able to easily eat all of your favorite foods.
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Your smile will look completely natural. We carefully design All-on-4 dentures so they are as lifelike as possible.
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Dental implants stimulate the jawbone and prevent it from deteriorating.
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You can undergo tooth extractions, implant placement, and placement of your new teeth in a single day.
All-on-4 vs. Traditional Dental Implants
There are a few significant differences between All-on-4 and traditional dental implants:
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Treatment timeline. Start-to-finish treatment tends to be much shorter with All-on-4 than with traditional implants.
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Number of surgeries. All-on-4 usually requires just one surgery, whereas traditional implants can necessitate 2 or more surgeries.
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All-on-4 uses fewer dental implants than most full-arch tooth replacement plans with traditional implants. Therefore, its cost is often lower.
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All-on-4 is only for full-arch replacement. Traditional implants can replace any number of missing teeth.
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Using more implants in a traditional treatment may lead to a slightly stronger, more stable denture than what you would get with All-on-4