All on 4 Dental Implant Treatment
What is the All On 4 Dental Implant Treatment?
All On 4 dental implant is a branded concept that uses only 4 dental implants as replacement anchors, for a total restoration of your lower or upper arch. This replacement option is especially suitable for people who’ve lost all of the teeth or are about to lose all their teeth. This treatment can be performed on either the upper or the lower jaws, or both. The end result provides you with a full set of teeth, secured to only four implants. The most notable part of this treatment is that new teeth can often be placed and restored in just a single day.The term All on 4 was initially marketed by Nobel Biocare, an American implant company. They created a specific implant design for this concept, using only four implants to support a full set of teeth. Nowadays, there are other companies that also advertise the use of only four implants to support a full set of prosthetic teeth. These include Straumann’s “Pro-arch”, as well as other companies who use the term, “All over 4”, or “Restoration by 4”. All on 4 dental implants is the original concept by Dr. Paulo Malo from Lisbon, Portugal who founded the concept with Nobel Biocare. The treatment has been well researched and gained extreme notoriety because of the speed of the treatment process. Also, because of its reliability and the low costs associated with only having four implants placed.
Although the use of only 4 implants is a minimally invasive process, because bone grafting procedures are usually not required. The key to success is their precise placement, and case by case selection. Not all patients are good candidates for The all on 4 implant protocol, because of their bone quality.
Can I Really Get Teeth in a Day?
Yes, almost 90% of the time, when the implant installation surgery has been completed, a set of teeth can be immediately placed on the dental implants. The other 10% of the time we are unable to load all or some of the implants, and therefore we provide a temporary and removable bridge. There isn’t a single dental surgeon who will guarantee that your replacement teeth will be placed in one day using this process. This is because much depends on the bone quality and the tightness that is achieved when the implants are placed. As a patient, you should not risk loading an implant that is not sound. When you only have 4 implants placed, losing one, means you must start all over again.
Please note that if you don’t have the bone quality to justify your receipt of a new set of teeth, you can still receive a temporary-removable set. Your final set of teeth will not be installed until later, to allow for a full review by your dental team. They will observe how you talk, how you look, and most importantly how you bite works. Your gums will shrink and be much different in about 3 months after the treatment. Therefore there should be a delay of 3 to 6 months, after your receive your initial set of teeth, in order to get the most excellent results out of your final restoration.
What Can I Expect after All On 4 Dental Implant Surgery?
The procedure is still dental surgery, some discomfort is expected, and swelling and bruising may occur following the surgery. Since there is no bone grafting included, as part of the treatment, remarkably most of our patients are able to return to work after a couple of days.
During the first 1-6 months we ask our patients to use their temporary teeth carefully, since the bone and the implants are not completed fusing. When the implants are placed in the jawbone, they must remain completely immobile to allow the process of osseo-integration to occur. During the first 6-8 weeks it’s important that you eat a soft diet, no hard, crunchy or tough foods like nuts and rare meat.
If you believe you might not be able to follow the cautious soft diet recommendations, please inform us. The last thing we want to happen is for you, to lose one of the four implants!
The All-on-4 dental implant procedure is highly recommended for people with failing teeth, no teeth, those currently wearing dentures, and those with marginal teeth remaining who want a beautiful new smile.
Types of restorations on All on 4 Dental Implant
There are a variety of different materials that are used to make prosthetic teeth.
One option is acrylic (plastic) that is molded to a titanium or metal bar which sits on the dental implants. This is the least expensive form of an All on 4 dental implant restoration, even though fractures in the acrylic are common, they are repairable. Wear and tear of the plastic teeth over time, may also require replacement.
Another option is full zirconium also known as “zirkonzahn Prettau”, which are fully milled teeth. This is the method we prefer and recommend, due to it’s natural and highly aesthetic outcome. The strength of the material is also impressive and should provide recipients with many years of service..There are also low cost removable dentures that fit on 4 implants, for those of you who need more lip or gum support, which offer a more economical and easy to clean prosthetic. We don’t consider this method, as the same as a true All on 4 implant fixed option, it is sometimes offered as a 4 implant prosthetic solution. The savings for this treatment option, compared to a full Prettau restoration is about 75% less.
Is a 4 Implant Solution best for Every Case?
Absolutely not, in fact, a 6 implant solution is generally a better option, and can be made as 3 fixed bridges. If something happens to one bridge, you don’t lose the entire set of teeth. Plus it spreads the bite force over 6 implants which is a good idea.
Aesthetically, The all in 4 system provides no junction lines, where the 3 bridges would meet. Four implants also is ideal in a small mouth / small arch. If you have a big arch and a lot of bone, 6 or more implants would be a better option. The cost for 4 implants versus 6 is no different at Westcoast International. Most people have the idea that if they purchase fewer implants it will equate to less costs. We don’t prefer this concept, especially if you are going to spend upwards of US $10,000 for a full Prettau restoration (the finest dental restoration). From our perspective the costs of doing 4, 6 or even 7 implants should be the same! We don’t believe giving you a saving choice is prudent, but rather we’ll offer you the best solution and options for your specific case. We feel this is appropriate, especially when you are dealing with a major long term decision such as this one.
How do you ensure a good result?
If you are interested in the procedure, we will carefully prepare and plan your treatment process with computer guided surgery and digital smile design.
A computer scan will be used to plan your case and allow us to see and preview the exact results of the ideal implant placement. The use of conebeam CT scanning combined with the expertise our digital laboratory, can determine exactly how your case will be turn out. This is important because when you are dealing with only 4 implants, they have to be strategically placed. To balance the bite load and to avoid any negative stress that may arise.
After just one clinical appointment, we can provide you with a beautiful, improved smile. Fewer implants and no bone grafting not only saves you money, but reduces your healing time, giving you a whole lot to smile about.
Advantages for All on 4 dental implant procedure
- Is well researched and very efficient;
- You could have a fixed set of new teeth on the same day as your surgery;
- The cost for this procedure is much less, compared to more conventional implant surgery options, where bone grafting is required;
- The All on 4 procedure is less invasive in comparison to other implant processes, as they normally don’t require bone grafting;
- Our custom on site dental laboratory will help you create a beautiful new look just like natural teeth;
Caveats
- Very case specific. Don’t rule out 6 or more implants;
- There are different material options that can be used for your new set of teeth;
- You should not push for a full set of fixed teeth right after surgery, especially if you grind your teeth or cannot tolerate a soft diet;