If you’re unfamiliar with the term “All-on-4 implants,” it’s okay. This strange concept is actually fairly simple. All-on-4 restorations rely on four dental implant posts instead of six or eight. But what does that mean exactly? How does it affect your smile? That’s where the plot thickens. Keep reading to learn more about All-on-4 and how they can transform your smile.
What Are All-on-4 Dental Implants?
Think of them as a type of implant denture. What is that? It’s a denture that connects to a certain number of implant posts surgically placed in your jawbone. Instead of resting on your gums like a traditional denture, they stay anchored to your implants, which the bone holds in place, similar to natural teeth.
The number of posts used matters when considering implant restorations. Why? It is the key difference between a traditional implant denture and All-on-4. After all, All-on-4s only use four implants, while their regular counterparts use between six and eight.
The number of implant posts also determines where they are placed along the jawbone. With All-on-4 treatment, all the implants are placed in the densest parts of the bone: two toward the back of the mouth and two toward the front for a balanced bite.
Why Are All-on-4 Implants Placed at An Angle?
All-on-4 implants are placed at an angle for a reason. To avoid bone grafting, the implants rely on the densest parts of the bone to remain stable. Placing them at an angle ensures they integrate with the bone most effectively.
If a traditional implant denture using 6-8 implant posts were placed with this approach, it would be more likely to fail. That is because there wouldn’t be enough jawbone to support them without a bone graft. They would be unlikely to integrate, destabilizing your new teeth.
What Does This Mean For You?
If you’ve been told you do not qualify for implant dentures because you don’t have enough dense jawbone, All-on-4 can help you achieve the same great results. This permanent tooth replacement option lets those who normally wouldn’t qualify move forward with a longer-lasting smile.
They look and function like traditional implant dentures, improving chewing ability, bite force, and jawbone stability. They also replace an entire arch of missing teeth, leaving nothing but a natural-looking, healthy smile.
With this revolutionary technique, you can enjoy many dental implant benefits, including the chance to live life like never before.
About the Author
Dr. Paul Samia earned his dental degree at the Touro College of Dental Medicine at New York Medical College before returning to North Carolina to serve the community that shaped him. With a Fellowship in Implantology from the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, he provides All-on-4 dental implants to help patients with low jawbone density enjoy life with a longer-lasting smile. If you are considering these permanent prosthetics, visit our website to schedule a consultation today.