In our Seattle dental practice we specialize in All on 4 dental implants. Below is an explanation of the procedure with some additional links which will help you to learn more about All on 4.
All on 4 Dental Implants is an Expedient and Cost Effective Treatment
If you are missing all teeth or have hopeless and compromised teeth in one or both jaws, All on 4 dental implants procedure can be a good treatment option. It is a relatively new treatment which emphasizes an expedient and cost effective approach in the replacement of missing teeth and restoration of appearance, comfort, and chewing function. Missing teeth in All on 4 are replaced with a fixed bridge.
All on 4 procedure utilizes minimal number of dental implants- typically 4 to 6. Also implants toward the back of the mouth are placed at an angle so the need for bone grafting procedures can be minimized or completely avoided. This change in implant position can decrease treatment time and treatment cost.
Below is a short animation which describes the procedure.
Teeth in One Day- Many Patients Receive Fixed Provisional Teeth on the Day of Surgery
All on 4 dental implants procedure was designed so provisional fixed dental bridge is attached to the dental implants on the same day immediately after surgery. Placement of fixed provisional teeth allows for more comfortable function, improves healing of the gums, and increases confidence for the patient.
Although it is desirable to have provisional teeth attached to the implants on the day of surgery, it is not always possible to accomplish. For some patients stability of the implants in the jaw bone may not strong enough to hold the bridge. Of course this does not mean that you will not have any teeth. If this is the case, an immediate denture is given to the patient. The denture prosthesis allows for the cosmetic replacement of teeth and restoration of chewing function.
Fixed Bridge is the Most Common Design in All on 4 Dental Implants Procedure
Most common design of the final restoration in All-on-4 dental implants procedure is a fixed bridge. It is designed as a one-piece prosthesis which resembles the shape of the patient’s teeth and gums.
The bridge is attached to the dental implants or abutments by means of titanium screws. Dentists call this type of connection a screw-retained bridge. Abutment is an additional part which is often placed between the implant and the bridge. The purpose of the abutment is to allow for better position of the retaining screw. Abutments also help with seating of the bridge. In All on 4 dental implants procedure abutments are made from Titanium Alloy.
All on 4 bridge can be out of several different parts and materials. The most common approach is to use individual teeth which are made out of plastic material. In addition the bridge also have gum portion and it is also made from the dental plastics. Finally inside the bridge there is a metal reinforcing frame which provides rigidity and strength to the bridge. The most common material for the frame is a titanium alloy and nowadays it is made by a CAD-CAM process.
All on 4 Includes Several Treatment Steps
All on 4 dental implants is an advanced treatment process and includes several steps. In the initial stage of treatment condition of patient’s mouth, teeth and general health are evaluated and treatment options are presented to the patient. Once a decision is made to proceed with treatment, records are taken and immediate dentures are made in the laboratory.
During surgical stage of treatment, hopeless teeth and infections are removed if present. Titanium dental implants are than placed. If condition of the patient allows, immediate denture is converted to a fixed provisional bridge and patient’s healing is observed at the follow up appointments.
In the final stage of treatment, a permanent fixed bridge is made in the dental laboratory and than attached to the dental implants. All-on-4 treatment takes a number of appointments and treatment time typically lasts 9 month to a year.
Before and After All on 4 Dental Implants by Seattle Implant Specialist
To see more examples of All on 4 dental implants please check before and after gallery of All on 4 cases.
Do You Want to Learn More About All-on-4 Dental Implants?
Included are links to the articles written by Dr. Alexander Shor which further explains All-on-4 dental implants procedure.
All-on-4 and Teeth In A Day – What You Need to Know.
Why Choose Seattle Prosthodontists for your All on 4 dental implants ?
Both Dr. Alexander Shor and Dr. Kavita Shor are certified specialist in Prosthodontics, an area of dentistry which deals with restoration and replacement of missing teeth. Drs. Shor have extensive expertise and experience in the All on 4 dental implants.
