In edentulous, or toothless, patients, the jawbone atrophies when the teeth’s roots are no longer present to stabilize it. As a result, long-time denture wearers or other patients whose teeth have been missing for years may experience significant bone loss that presents a problem for dental implant candidates.
Dental implants fuse with the jawbone, so in order for them to succeed, the patient must have sufficient bone material to support the osseointegration of the implants. In the past, an oral surgeon might not have been able to place dental implants in patients with severe bone loss, or those patients would have needed to undergo a bone graft or augmentation surgery prior to the implant placement procedure.
A new dental implant technique known as All-on-4 helps patients to qualify for dental implant placement regardless of jawbone erosion. Nearly all candidates qualify for All-on-4 dental implants.
All-on-4 is a valuable resource for Dallas patients who want to take advantage of dental implants despite bone loss. With the All-on-4 technique, the oral surgeon places four dental implants toward the front of the jaw, where the jawbone wears away more slowly. The two outer dental implants can be angled inward below the gumline to maximize available bone.
Once they are in place, the four implants anchor an arch of artificial teeth that replaces the natural teeth. Not only are All-on-4 dental implants effective even for patients with bone loss, the implants help to prevent further bone loss. The implants replicate the roots of the teeth and hold the jawbone in place.
This procedure is significantly streamlined in comparison to earlier approaches to dental implants in patients with bone loss. All-on-4 dental implants are placed in a single appointment at the oral surgeon’s office. The patient is fitted with a temporary arch before leaving the office, giving the patient a full set of teeth in a single day. After the mouth has healed from the procedure, the patient is fitted for a stronger, permanent set of replacement teeth.
To learn more about this procedure and to schedule your consultation, please contact Dallas Oral Surgery Associates today.
