Are you thinking about All-on-4 dental implants to restore your smile after tooth loss? If so, you’re not alone. This treatment is becoming an increasingly popular option among patients and for good reason. This structurally complete alternative to dentures offers a number of advantages.

All-on-4 does involve an outpatient surgical procedure, so the first step in this treatment process is to consult with an oral surgeon. To help you prepare for that appointment or just get a better idea of what this treatment involves, here is a brief guide to All-on-4.

All-on-4: The Treatment Process

The foundation of All-on-4 is the four dental implants that are inserted into the patient’s jaw in order to secure a denture. Dental implants are innovative because they replicate the roots of biological teeth. The surrounding bone tissue in the jaw is able to fuse with the titanium surface of the implants.

Because such a small number of dental implants is needed in this treatment, the procedure can be completed in a single appointment that lasts just a few hours. Some patients can even be fitted with an appliance immediately after the implants are placed, restoring the smile in a single day.

The Many Benefits of All-on-4

The presence of the four dental implants used in All-on-4 sets this treatment apart from conventional dentures in many ways. Patients who opt for All-on-4 gain the following benefits, among many others.

• Durability: Because All-on-4 is structurally complete, the jawbone’s integrity is preserved, meaning that the appliance retains its fit over time. With proper care, All-on-4 dental implants can last for decades.
• Security: The bond between the bone tissue in the jaw and the dental implant eliminates the possibility of an untimely slipup with your denture.
• Convenience: You care for All-on-4 with many of the same tools and techniques used with your biological smile. You also can eat a wider variety of foods.
• Comfort: All-on-4 replicates the root structure of your biological smile, so it feels more natural than conventional dentures.

Don’t delay in calling our team at Dallas Oral Surgery Associates to schedule an evaluation to determine if All-on-4 might be the best fit for you. We will answer any questions that you may have and give you more detailed information about what to expect from the treatment process.

All-on-4 is a tooth replacement method that anchors custom dentures to dental implants. This treatment option provides beautiful replacement teeth that function very similarly to natural tooth structure.

Many patients find that All-on-4 is more comfortable than conventional, unsupported dentures. They attribute increased comfort to the fact that implants provide greater stability and because these replacement teeth do not place as much pressure on the gingiva as traditional dentures.

What is All-on-4, exactly?

All-on-4 is a specific method of securing a full arch of dentures to four strategically-embedded dental implants. Dentures are used replace visible tooth structure while dental implants address the loss of the root systems of teeth. The precise placement of dental implants will distribute the weight of dentures evenly throughout the mouth while also stabilizing replacement teeth for optimal oral function.

Today’s dentures are not like our ancestors’. They are custom made with help from the latest technology to ensure a perfect fit and lifelike appearance. Materials such as porcelain are used to resemble biological teeth while pink-tinted acrylics are used to blend dentures seamlessly into the gingiva. The result is natural and healthy looking replacement teeth.

What are the benefits of All-on-4?

All-on-4 offers unique advantages when compared to other prosthetics. Since dental implants anchor these replacement teeth, patients can enjoy more well-rounded diets without difficulty or discomfort.

Dental implants also protect the foundation of the oral health system: our jawbones. Bone deterioration commonly affects patients who have missing teeth. This is because the roots of teeth are no longer present to keep bone stimulated. Implants, however, do keep bone stimulated and help prevent bone loss.

All-on-4 is low maintenance. Patients will brush and floss as they normally would. Some find that using water irrigators help keep the gingiva clean. Normal checkups and cleanings are still necessary to ensure that dental implants and dentures are functioning as they should.

If you have questions about All-on-4 and dental implants, call Dallas Oral Surgery Associates to reserve a consultation with our experienced oral surgeons.

Patients who need to restore a full arch (or both arches) of their smiles after tooth loss often are concerned about how the process will affect their eating habits. When these patients opt for All-on-4 as their tooth replacement solution, they find that they are able to chew nearly all of the same foods that they could process with their biological teeth. This is only one of the many benefits of collaborating with an oral surgeon to take advantage of this treatment method.

All-on-4 Preserves Chewing Function

All-on-4 secures a prosthetic arch using four dental implants. These devices are unique for tooth replacement because they consist of a root-like structure in addition to a crown. The roots of your biological teeth perform important functions that we often take for granted, such as absorbing the strong forces needed to chew certain foods, including nutritious fresh fruits and vegetables. Because the jawbone tissue bonds with the titanium surface of the dental implants, the strong link between bone and implant facilitates the absorption of chewing forces approximating those taken on by biological teeth. As a result, patients who get All-on-4 are able to eat just about everything they ate before experiencing tooth loss. Keep in mind, though, that anything that could damage your biological teeth could also harm your dental implants.

Other Benefits Of All-on-4

A more varied diet isn’t the sole benefit associated with All-on-4. This tooth replacement solution is more convenient, comfortable and stable over time, as well.

All-on-4 also gives many patients the opportunity to upgrade to an implant-supported appliance even if they’ve worn conventional dentures for some time and experienced bone loss as a result. With All-on-4, the oral surgeon inserts the dental implants at the front of the jaw. The bone is thicker in this area and wears away more gradually after tooth loss. Therefore, a large pool of patients remain eligible for this treatment.

If you want to be able to continue to enjoy all of your favorite foods after tooth loss, explore All-on-4 as a treatment option. Visit our team at Dallas Oral Surgery Associates for a no-obligation consultation to see if this approach might help you achieve your smile goals.

One of the many benefits that patients get from an implant-supported denture, such as All-on-4, is freedom from messy denture adhesives that leave a bad taste in a patient’s mouth. The four dental implants used in this treatment technique secure the prosthetic to the jaw, eliminating the need for adhesives.

With All-on-4, the oral surgeon will need only four dental implants to secure the denture. This approach streamlines the treatment process and makes it accessible to a broader group of patients than older techniques for implant-supported dentures. Those four dental implants can be placed in a single appointment lasting just a few hours. Many patients can even be fitted with a temporary appliance at the end of that session, which is why some providers refer to All-on-4 as “smile in a day.”

The oral surgeon places the four dental implants at the front of the jaw. This is important because the bone is relatively thick in that location and slower to erode. Therefore, even long-term denture wearers who want to make the switch to dental implants can often do so with All-on-4. They may have experienced bone loss toward the rear of the jaw but still have adequate bone tissue to support osseointegration in the front of the mouth.

Not only are All-on-4 patients able to go adhesive-free, they gain other benefits as well. For example, the bond between the bone and the dental implants can tolerate fairly strong forces, so an implant-supported denture tends to be more effective at chewing than a conventional appliance. Foods that are off-limits for patients with standard dentures can be enjoyed if you choose All-on-4.

All-on-4 dental implants also are more comfortable because they are structurally complete and feel more like biological teeth. The dental implants are more reliable in holding the appliance in place, as well, preventing any untimely slip-ups.

If you want to ditch your denture adhesives, consider upgrading to All-on-4. Schedule an initial evaluation at Dallas Oral Surgery Associates to learn more about the many benefits of this treatment.

Patients often complain that conventional dentures are disappointing in many ways, falling far short of the functionality and comfort of their missing biological teeth. A technique for implant-supported dentures known as All-on-4 can help address many of the deficits of conventional dentures while overcoming potential roadblocks to treatment with dental implants.

With All-on-4, an oral surgeon will place four dental implants into the patient’s jaw in order to secure the denture. These dental implants essentially function like biological roots of missing teeth. They stabilize the underlying jawbone and help the appliance to withstand rather strong chewing forces. These characteristics help All-on-4 dental implants to outperform conventional dentures.

Additionally, because the oral surgeon needs to place only four dental implants to support the prosthetic denture and those four dental implants are placed in the thick bone at the front of the jaw, All-on-4 is accessible to most patients, even those who have already experienced some bone loss at the rear of the jaw.

Although All-on-4 does require surgery, the procedure is typically completed in a matter of hours. Often, the patient can be fitted with a temporary appliance at the end of the appointment in which the dental implants are placed. As such, this treatment may also be referred to as Smile in a Day. After healing fully from dental implant placement, the patient will return to the office to be fitted with the permanent appliance.

This procedure causes minimal disruption to patients’ routines, as well. In most cases, patients are able to resume typical activities within a matter of days, although it may take a little longer to get back to vigorous exercise or jobs that require significant physical effort. Following your surgeon’s post-operative instructions will reduce your risk of complications that could extend the recovery timeline.

All-on-4 dental implants are accessible to a variety of patients with different scenarios of tooth loss. Explore this treatment if you would like to restore a fully functional smile that feels similar to biological teeth. Contact our team at Dallas Oral Surgery Associates today to schedule a consultation.

Patients who choose conventional dentures to restore a missing smile often find that the appliances come up short in terms of functionality. In fact, they are structurally incomplete, lacking root structures, so they are not as effective at chewing. Jawbone erosion is also a problem with conventional dentures. Fortunately, patients have a more structurally – and functionally – complete tooth replacement with All-on-4.

All-on-4 uses four dental implants to secure the denture to the jaw. The denture is specially designed to slide over the dental implants and lock into place.

Dental implants offer a revolutionary tooth replacement option because the bone forms a strong bond with an implant’s titanium surface in the months after the oral surgeon inserts the implant into the patient’s jaw. This osseointegration process leaves the dental implant as a permanent fixture in the jaw and allows it to perform the same functions that a biological tooth’s root does.

Therefore, implant-supported dentures like All-on-4 help to preserve the jawbone’s integrity and prevent its erosion following tooth loss. This results in positive outcomes including improved fit of the appliance over time and consistent facial appearance.

Dental implants also are able to withstand fairly strong chewing forces, so patients who opt for All-on-4 typically can continue to enjoy all of their favorite foods, unlike conventional denture wearers who often need to adopt dietary restrictions due to their limited chewing ability.

Although bone loss can often present an obstacle to dental implant placement, the oral surgeon places the All-on-4 implants at the front of the jaw, where the bone atrophies more gradually. Therefore, even long-time denture wearers who have already suffered bone loss at the rear of the jaw often still qualify for this treatment.

Dental implant placement does require a surgical procedure, although it takes place in an outpatient setting and patients are usually able to resume most normal activity within a few days. Nonetheless, you should discuss the risks and benefits of this procedure thoroughly with your surgeon before making your treatment decision. Also be sure that you understand all pre-operative and post-operative instructions so that you can reduce your risk of complications.

Do you want a more stable, functional restoration for your missing smile? Consider All-on-4 as a possible solution. Call Dallas Oral Surgery Associates today to schedule a consultation.

Has tooth lost severely affected your health and daily life? Do you currently wear dentures but are unsatisfied with their many limitations? There is hope. All-on-4 is a method of securing full arches of prosthetic teeth to dental implants.

This tooth replacement option is ideal for many edentulous patients who have recently lost all or most of their teeth as well as those who currently wear conventional dentures. With All-on-4, patients can enjoy restored oral function and an improved appearance because their custom prosthetic teeth are secured to durable and sturdy dental implants.

How All-on-4 Restores Oral Function

All-on-4 involves anchoring custom prosthetics to a series of strategically placed dental implants. Anchoring prosthetics to dental implants increases oral function substantially because it prevents prosthetics from moving. For instance, conventional dentures lie on top of the gums. The curved shape of the mouth holds them in place but they can still move when chewing, biting and speaking. Denture movement is very common when patients begin to lose bone, an issue that often affects edentulous patients.

Benefits of All-on-4

All-on-4 offers unprecedented advantages when it comes to addressing total tooth loss. First, dental implants support bone health by keeping the jaw active. Implants prevent bone deterioration by stimulating the jaw. Retaining jaw density is important for maintaining a youthful aesthetic and comfortable prosthetics.

Those with conventional dentures will have to have them replaced every few years due to changes in bone structure. Bone retention helps extend the life of prosthetic teeth. Most patients with All-on-4 enjoy a longer lifespan with their prosthetics than those with traditional dentures.

With prosthetics anchored to dental implants, people can enjoy a variety of foods that those with ill-fitting dentures cannot. Moreover, All-on-4 prevents the need for sticky adhesives, which allows for low maintenance tooth replacement.

All-on-4 restores oral function and appearance while supporting the whole oral health system. If this tooth replacement option interests you, call Dallas Oral Surgery Associates today to schedule a consultation with our talented oral surgeons.

The All-on-4 technique gives edentulous patients a fully restored smile using just four dental implants. However, patients must wait until after they have healed fully from the implant placement procedure to get their permanent appliance.

We empathize with patients who are eager to restore their smiles, but you’ll end up with better results if you can exercise a little patience.

Because the placement of the four dental implants does require a surgical procedure, the oral surgeon cannot fit the patient with the permanent appliance for several months after the initial appointment. This also gives the dental implants sufficient time to osseointegrate, or for the bone to form a strong bond with the titanium implant.

Although you must wait for several months to get your permanent appliance, most patients can be fitted with a temporary set of teeth the same day that they get their dental implants. So, you won’t have to go toothless until you can get the permanent denture.

While you are wearing your temporary appliance, which is designed to put less stress on the gums and jaw, you may need to alter you routine slightly. For example, your oral surgeon may advise you to adjust your diet to include mostly, if not all, softer foods that can be easily chewed. Follow your surgeon’s instructions to reduce your risk of any complications in the healing process.

When you get your stronger, final appliance, you will be able to re-incorporate most of your favorite foods back into your diet, as an implant-supported denture is able to chew nearly all of the foods that biological teeth can.

All-on-4 offers a dramatic improvement over conventional dentures, even if you can’t get your new permanent teeth right away. You still can be fitted with a temporary appliance on the day of your dental implant placement, and waiting for the permanent denture will benefit you in the long-term. We encourage you to discuss any concerns that you may have about this aspect of your care with your surgeon.

Contact our team at Dallas Oral Surgery Associates to learn more about your tooth replacement options.

All-on-4 can give edentulous patients a sturdy, stable smile with a relatively brief time commitment. This treatment requires just four dental implants to support an entire denture, and the procedure in which those implants are placed can be completed in a single appointment. Furthermore, most patients can be fitted with at least a temporary appliance that same day.

Because All-on-4 requires dental implants, a surgical procedure is necessary to place those devices. However, it can be performed in an outpatient setting, such as a surgeon’s office, with the patient receiving appropriate sedation for comfort throughout the surgery.

Most patients will recover from the initial dental implant placement in about a week or less, and some may even be able to ease back into their regular routines within a matter of days. Your oral surgeon will thoroughly discuss post-operative care and instructions with you during one of your pre-op appointments.

Additionally, the oral surgeon will provide any instructions necessary for you to prepare for the day of your All-on-4 placement procedure. For example, you may be directed to avoid eating or drinking after midnight if you will have intravenous sedation.

Because only four dental implants are involved, All-on-4 can allow a broad range of patients to enjoy the benefits of a more stable, durable denture. The implants are located in the front of the jaw, and the bone is thicker in that area. Therefore, even patients who have suffered some bone loss – a common consequence of tooth loss that can present an obstacle to dental implant placement – still can be eligible for All-on-4.

In return for this reasonably minimal investment of your time, you gain a number of benefits from All-on-4 dental implants, which tend to be more effective at chewing and maintain their fit over time, in contrast to conventional dentures.

To learn more about the All-on-4 dental implant placement procedure, contact Dallas Oral Surgery Associates and speak to one of our experienced team members.

With today’s modern techniques and the types of materials used to create replacement teeth, edentulous patients do not have to suffer a life that consists of embarrassment and difficulty eating. In the past, patients without teeth had few options for reclaiming their oral function and improving their appearance. Today, however, our skilled team of oral surgeons offers implant supported dentures by utilizing an implant placement method called “All-on-4”.

An Overview of Traditional Dentures

Traditional dentures only replace lost tooth structure above the surface of the gums. Dentures, made from a combination of materials to mimic the appearance of gums and teeth, rest on top of the gums and jaws. The arch of the jawbones help keep dentures in place, but over time, the bone will atrophy and the mouth’s shape will change. When this occurs, dentures will become ill fitting and may move in the mouth when patients speak or eat. Sometimes, patients have to resort to using messy and sticky adhesives to keep their prosthetic teeth in place. Receiving new sets of dentures is often required as the bone structure of the jaw continues to change.

How All-on-4 is Different

The All-on-4 method anchors dentures to strategically embedded posts—called dental implants—in the jawbone. Since the implants are located in the jaw, they prevent bone atrophy and thus help a patient retain the arched shape of their mouth. Additionally, prosthetic teeth anchored by implants are secured in place and will not slip during meals or when speaking. This allows patients a total restoration of oral function that is both comfortable and attractive.

Dental implants are constructed from titanium, which is a biocompatible metal. The surrounding bone will eventually integrate around the titanium post, thus securing the implant in place permanently. This process of bone integrating with the implant offers patients an unprecedented level of stability and durability that is simply unattainable with traditional dentures.

To find out if you are a candidate for All-on-4, contact the office of Drs. Sherry and Wallace to schedule a consultation.