Did you know that your jawbone begins thinning after teeth go missing? Dental implants are the only restorations that prevent this process of degeneration because they include a titanium rod embedded into your jaw. This functions like a root to stimulate new bone growth, keeping your mouth active and healthy.
However, many patients are missing entire arches of teeth and wonder whether implants can meet their needs. Continue reading to learn more about all-on-4 implants and some of their pros and cons to decide if this treatment is right for you!
What Are All-On-4 Dental Implants?
These replacement teeth replace an entire arch of teeth using dentures that are specifically designed to anchor to four strategically placed titanium rods in your jaw. Instead of replacing multiple missing teeth with a series of single implants, this method allows your provider to recreate an entire row.
What Are The Pros of All-On-4 Dental Implants?
There are several advantages to choosing all-on-4 dentures, such as:
- Fewer dietary restrictions. Your new teeth will be permanently attached so you can enjoy your favorite foods without worrying about damaging or dislodging them.
- High success rate. Thes prosthetics are incredibly reliable and have a high success rate of more than 94% even up to 10 years after their initial placement.
- Easy to clean. You don’t have to worry about removing and reinserting them to wash them or leave them in a glass of water or soaking solution overnight. Instead, brush and floss twice daily and visit your dental team every six months for a routine checkup.
- Prevents bone degeneration. You can lose up to 25% of the surrounding bone mass within the first year of a tooth falling out, but these restorations stimulate your jaw like the root of a tooth to maintain its density.
- Lifelike appearance. Your dentures are made from resilient tooth-colored materials to boost your confidence.
What Are the Cons of All-On-4 Dental Implants?
Although they provide many unique benefits, all-on-4 dental implants aren’t necessarily the best solution for everyone’s circumstances. Some drawbacks to this treatment can include:
- Higher upfront cost. Depending on your situation, you might pay anywhere from $12,000 to $20,000 for these restorations.
- Longer recovery. It often takes patients about a month to adjust to wearing traditional dentures, but it can take 3 to 6 months for your mouth to fully heal after dental implant surgery.
- Potential complications. You must clean your mouth consistently or you might develop issues like an infection or a progressive form of gum disease called peri-implantitis, which can cause your prosthetic to fail.
If you still have unanswered questions or are unsure whether all-on-4 dentures are right for you, the best next step is to schedule a consultation with your oral surgeon!
About the Practice
At Northern Virginial Oral, Maxillofacial, & Implant Surgery, you benefit from a team of experts who provide a range of surgical procedures to improve your dental health, including dental implants. They also participate in several prestigious organizations like the American Dental Association and the American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons, so you can trust that you’re in good hands. They combine a compassionate approach with state-of-the-art equipment to enhance patient comfort and accuracy of treatment results. If you are considering all-on-4 dentures, you can request an appointment on the website or call the Burke office at (703) 425-5010.