All-On-4 Dental Implants — Arlington, TX
Giving You a Reliable and Natural-Looking Smile
Replacing lost teeth doesn’t have to mean addressing each tooth individually. With All-on-4 dental implants, you can enjoy a full set of teeth supported by just four strategically placed implants. This solution resolves common issues associated with traditional dentures, such as slippage and speech difficulties. At Foundation Dental Solutions, we can place your new teeth on the same day! Keep reading to learn more about All-on-4 implants, or call us today to schedule your consultation.
How Do All-On-4 Dental Implants Work?
Dental implants are an incredibly popular tooth replacement method for good reason. They replace the entire structure of missing teeth, from root to crown, offering unmatched stability and natural function. However, traditional implants require sufficient jawbone density to ensure success.
If you’re concerned about inadequate bone density, All-on-4 dental implants could be the solution you’ve been searching for. This technique strategically places four implants in the thickest areas of your jawbone, reducing or even eliminating the need for bone grafting. Once the implants are secured, they act as artificial roots, stimulating the jawbone to prevent bone loss. Metal abutments are then attached to anchor a customized denture that won’t slip or shift, giving you a reliable and natural-looking smile.
Am I A Candidate for All-On-4 Dental Implants?
The good news is that most adults with tooth loss are suitable candidates for All-on-4 dental implants. Even if you’ve been told you don’t qualify for traditional implants due to insufficient jawbone density, this technique often provides a solution. Because the implants are placed in areas with the most bone, many patients can move forward with treatment without the need for bone grafting.
To be a good candidate, you’ll need to be in good oral health and committed to proper hygiene practices. Additionally, it’s essential to avoid habits that could compromise the success of your implants, such as smoking, neglecting oral care, or failing to address gum disease or cavities.
Benefits of All-On-4 Dental Implants
Considering All-on-4 dental implants? It’s no surprise this treatment is so popular, given the numerous benefits it offers, including:
- Ease of Maintenance: With a permanent prosthetic, there’s no need for adhesives or frequent adjustments.
- Jawbone Preservation: Implants stimulate the jawbone, preventing the deterioration that often accompanies tooth loss.
- Improved Function: Enjoy enhanced bite strength and chewing power, allowing you to eat your favorite foods without restriction.
- Natural Appearance: The results look and feel like your natural teeth, offering long-lasting confidence.
All-On-4 vs. Traditional Dental Implants
While both options aim to restore your smile, there are a few key differences between All-on-4 and traditional implants:
- All-on-4 uses just four implants, whereas traditional implant dentures may require up to eight, leading to more extensive surgery and higher costs.
- All-on-4 is often ideal for patients with lower bone density, skipping the months-long recovery time required for bone grafting.
- In many cases, you can receive your new denture on the same day as your All-on-4 surgery, letting you enjoy your smile immediately.
All-on-4 Dental Implant FAQs
Are All-on-4 dental implants covered by insurance?
Dental insurance plans vary greatly in how they approach dental implants. Our Arlington team will be happy to help you figure out how your PPO benefits apply. Keep in mind that most insurance plans have an annual maximum on the value of benefits, so even if your treatment is covered, you are likely to owe a significant amount out of pocket.
Also, insurance can vary in how it applies to the different parts of implant treatment. Some plans cover the implants themselves, while others cover only other aspects of the procedure, such as the final All-on-4 denture.
What foods can you eat after getting All-on-4 dental implants?
In the days following your surgery, it is important that you stick to a soft diet. This can include things like brothy and blended soups, yogurt, pudding, protein drinks, etc. As you heal, you can progress to fork tender foods such as scrambled eggs, meatloaf, and anything else that is very easy to chew.
After you fully recover and your temporary denture is replaced by a permanent one, you can eat pretty much anything. Dental implants provide a strong bite force that is able to handle virtually all foods, including tough and chewy items that you would not be able to enjoy with traditional dentures.
Do All-on-4 dental implants take a long time to heal?
The soft tissue at the surgical sites heals fairly quickly. Most patients find that their mouth is free of any lingering pain within just a couple of weeks. After that initial period, your bone will continue to heal, but you should not have any awareness of it as it bonds with your dental implants. This process can take 3 – 6 months or so.
Are All-on-4 dental implants removable?
No, they are not removable. The implant posts themselves become integrated with the surrounding bone tissue, and removing them typically requires surgical intervention. They are intended to be permanent, so you can expect to have them for a lifetime unless complications arise.
The dentures that get attached to All-on-4 implants are designed to stay fixed in place 24/7. While they are easier to remove than the implants themselves, they should only be taken off by a trained dental professional when you attend your routine appointments.
Due to their fixed nature, you can treat these dentures almost exactly like natural teeth. However, you will need to use special tools to clean the tight space underneath them.
Who isn’t a good candidate for All-on-4 dental implants?
While All-on-4 treatment is a great option for many patients, it might not be suitable for you if any of these apply:
- You have active gum disease.
- You are unable or unwilling to abstain from cigarettes during the days before and after your implant surgery.
- X-rays reveal that your jawbone is not strong enough for dental implants. (In some cases, a bone graft can fix this.)
- You have uncontrolled systemic health conditions that could interfere with the success of your treatment.
Our team will thoroughly review all relevant factors so you can have realistic expectations for the road ahead. We will do all we can to help you enjoy the benefits of this reliable and strong form of tooth replacement!