If you find yourself in the unfortunate situation of missing several teeth, you may begin to feel frustrated and lose confidence as a result. Additionally, missing teeth can contribute to several other dental health problems and negatively affect your overall health. The patient in this situation should have their missing teeth replaced as soon as possible in order to maintain good oral health and improve their general quality of life. However, what are the alternatives to dentures for replacing a number of missing teeth?
Even though dentures are a tried and true solution for patients who are missing multiple teeth, they don’t always provide the level of comfort or confidence that leads to complete satisfaction. Advancements in dental science and technology have led to the development of a better solution for replacing multiple teeth that delivers greater results and offers many advantages over other treatment options. It is known as the All-on-4 dental implant system.
What is an All-on-4 dental implant?
The all-on-four implants combine different dental techniques and technologies to provide a strong and reliable connection for the replacement teeth that is much more stable and reliable than traditional methods for attaching dentures, such as natural suction or denture adhesives. An All-on-4 procedure uses dental implants that are embedded into the patient’s jaw to provide a firm and solid foundation for the replacement teeth. Due to this, All-on-4 are often referred to as ‘implant-supported dentures’, but this is a broad term that also encompasses other types of replacement teeth.
Compared to a normal dental implant, which is designed to replace just one tooth, the dental implants used in the All-on-4 procedure are a little different. The part of the implant that is inserted inside the jaw bone is essentially the same, but the top exposed part replaces the artificial tooth of a regular implant with a specialised cap-shaped tip. A set of four receptacles on the underside of the artificial teeth provides a physical connection between the jaw and the artificial teeth. This solid, physical connection between the implants and the new teeth provides a much more natural feeling to the patient when wearing their teeth, especially when eating or speaking.
Dental surgeons strategically place the four implants to provide the secure connection after careful examination and analysis to ensure the most effective placement for each implant to achieve the best results. The most common placement of the implants is two near the front of the mouth, nearly vertically aligned. There are two more implants inserted in the back of the mouth, in the area of the molars, and they are usually placed at a steeper angle to provide greater 52av stability and support due to greater contact with the jawbone. Implant supported dentures can be used immediately after the implants are placed, allowing you to quickly return to your daily life and routines once the implants are in place.