What is an "All on 4" procedure?
“All on 4” is a term used to describe a procedure that allows patients to receive replacement teeth in just one day.
The All-on-4 treatment concept utilizes four dental implants to attach your new set of permanent replacement teeth in a minimally invasive way. The dental implants used in this procedure are specially designed for immediate function. The implants may or may not require bone grafting. This treatment is attractive for those patients with dentures or in need of full upper and/or lower restorations. If you are about to lose your teeth or have many missing teeth, the All on 4 procedure can help you achieve a beautiful smile and teeth in just one day.
Unlike other approaches that involve more laborious and costly techniques often requiring bone grafting, sinus lifts, and eight or more implants per arch, which can take up to 3 years to complete treatment, Dr. Arne’ has used this proven technique that involves using four specially placed implants. These implants can be placed with or without the need for bone grafts and sinus lifts. Your new dentures may be completed in just one day.
The end result is a solid base of teeth that are fixed in place and are not removed. It means lower costs and reduced healing times allowing our patients to regain their original youthful smile and original function faster, more reliably. The All-on-4 technique is FDA approved and has a long history of success.
How does the All-on-4 procedure work?
In general, four implants are placed into the jawbone and gums. During the same appointment, a temporary denture that has been custom made for the patient is then attached to these implants. The implants will still need to heal before the final implant-supported bridge or denture can be secured in place. Once the implants have fully integrated (6 weeks to 4 months) the temporary denture is removed and a final denture is permanently placed. The goal is for the dentures to be placed on the day of the surgery. They will resemble the appearance of your natural teeth AND never need to be removed once the final prosthetic is in place.
As with all Dental Implants, All-on-4 Dental Implants are placed during an outpatient surgical procedure in Dr. Arne’s office. Most patients will want to take advantage of some sort of sedation for this procedure, in addition to the local anesthetic that will be used.
By using just 4 dental implants instead of one implant per tooth, the procedure is minimally invasive and can replace an entire set of teeth without the need for repeat surgical visits.
What are the benefits of the All-on-4 procedure?
In addition to the short treatment time frame, All-on-4 Dental Implants have a number of advantages over conventional dentures:
- You may have new teeth in as little as just one day
- It’s a minimally invasive procedure
- There’s less pain and swelling
- No more ill-fitting dentures
- It eliminates denture adhesives
- Your new teeth are secure like your natural teeth
- Fewer dental visits are required
- It’s cost-effective compared to traditionally replacing each tooth with an implant
- It is a life-changing procedure
With the All-on-4 treatment, you will enjoy eating again!
A full set of dentures allows for about 10% of chewing capacity compared to a full set of natural teeth. This means a softer diet, which may eliminate some of the foods that you’re accustomed to eating. With permanent dental implants, you can regain your self-confidence and 70-90% of your chewing ability. Eat the foods you once enjoyed. More often than not, denture wearers complain that their denture ends up “flopping around a lot.” A denture is a last resort. This state-of-the-art technique is specifically designed for individuals to re-establish their chewing function, stop bone loss and the effects of aging.
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