All-on-4

It can be hard to lose a large number of your teeth, regardless of the reason. Whether you lost them due to an accident, disease, or the aging process, you will still need to decide what route to take to replace them.

One option is to consider a set of removable dentures (to replace top or bottom teeth, or both). Another option is to consider All-on-4 dental implants. Each of these options has its pros and cons. It's important to take the time to research these choices and decide which one will work best for you. At Pacific Northwest Prosthodontics, we can install All-on-4 dental implants and restore your smile in just one day. Keep reading to learn more.

Traditional Dentures

Traditional dentures are often what comes to mind as the solution when there is a need to replace a set of teeth (top, bottom, or both). These dentures are removable and held in place with a combination of suction and dental adhesive. These dental appliances are less expensive than other options, and it's not a long, invasive process to get them made. They look natural and work more or less the way your original teeth did.

However, traditional dentures come with a host of cons. First, they require rigorous daily cleaning. They cannot be worn 24 hours a day. If broken, it can take time to get a replacement. Since they only fit over the gums, the gums can shrink underneath, causing the dentures to slip and move around, becoming uncomfortable to wear and creating issues with speaking and eating. Finally, your diet will need to change if you have dentures—you'll need to avoid foods such as popcorn, steak, and nuts, among other foods. You'll want to spend time going over all the features of traditional dentures with your prosthodontist as you're making your decision.

All-on-4 Dental Implants

In contrast to traditional removable dentures, All-on-4 is a permanent solution to missing teeth. All-on-4 uses state-of-the-art technology to attach a permanent dental restoration—and it can all be done in a day.

All-on-4 treatment allows a set of replacement teeth to be attached to the upper or lower jaw using four dental implants (hence the All-on-4 name). After some recovery time (and the use of temporary dentures in the interim), a custom dental appliance is screwed into the implants, creating a natural, good-as-new appearance.

There are many benefits to All-on-4 implants:

  • Even if you've experienced bone loss, you may be a good candidate for All-on-4
  • Bone grafts are not usually necessary
  • While traditional implants often require two surgeries, All-on-4 is typically just one
  • Recovery time is relatively short since only four implants are installed
  • The fit of an All-on-4 appliance is natural—no slipping or gapping
  • No need for dental adhesive to keep teeth in place
  • No one will be able to tell your All-on-4 dentures are not your natural teeth
  • All-on-4 is often less expensive than traditional implants

The All-on-4 Procedure

If you and your Spokane prosthodontist determine that All-on-4 implants are the way for you to go, there may be some prep work that needs to be done. If you have any gum disease, that will need to be treated, and any teeth that need to be extracted should be pulled before going through the All-on-4 treatment. Any healing from prep work will need to be complete before you begin the All-on-4 procedure.

When your mouth is ready, your prosthodontist can get the All-on-4 procedure underway. Your prosthodontist will place the dental implants strategically—so they can comfortably keep your replacement teeth in a secure position. Two of the implants will go near the front of your mouth, the other two will go further back and at an angle. These back two implants will go in the parts of your mouth with the thickest bone. These placements are the same whether you're having work done on your upper jaw or your lower jaw.

A more traditional dental implant surgery would stop after the implant is drilled into place. Your mouth would be given time for the bone to grow around the implant before an abutment is attached to the top to attach to your replacement teeth. With All-on-4, there's no need to wait a few months for everything to heal up. The abutment will already be in place.

A temporary set of dentures will be attached to your new implants. You will need to watch your diet while you adjust and heal, but you will have teeth in place. Once your bones have grafted with the implant (in a 3-6 month-long process called osseointegration), your prosthodontist can connect your permanent dentures to the implants. Once you adjust to your new appliance (or appliances, if you've had work done on the top and the bottom jaw), you will be able to return to your normal activities, including eating all the foods you love.

Taking Care of an All-on-4 Appliance

Traditional, removable dentures require a lot of special cleaning to make sure they stay in working order. All-on-4 dentures need care, too. Just as with natural teeth, All-on-4 appliances need to be brushed and flossed on a daily basis.

It is not unusual for food and drink particles to become trapped under traditional, removable dentures. All-on-4 appliances are a tight fit, and food and drink particles are unlikely to get trapped underneath. However, you should visit your dentist or prosthodontist every six months for a professional cleaning. Your dental care provider will unscrew your All-on-4 dentures from the implants to clean your mouth and your dentures thoroughly before securing the dentures back on.

With proper care, an All-on-4 replacement can last up to twenty years, perhaps even longer. You may need to have adjustments made or parts replaced, but All-on-4 dentures are sturdy, and if you take good care of them, they will serve you well for years to come.

Are All-on-4 Implants the Right Choice for You?

If you're missing a full row of teeth or all your teeth, there's no reason to settle for uncomfortable traditional dentures. All-on-4 dental implants may be a better solution for you.

The prosthodontists at Pacific Northwest Prosthodontics are experts on All-on-4 implants. They are uniquely qualified to sit down with you to go over all the pros and cons, and if you decide All-on-4 implants are the right choice for you, they will help put together the perfect treatment plan. We want to do our part in helping you maintain a beautiful smile. Make an appointment at our Spokane, WA, office and we'll get started.