Tooth loss affects adults of all ages. From disease to injury to genetic predisposition, there are a number of factors that contribute to the loss of teeth. Fortunately for today’s dental patients, there are more options for restoring their smile than ever before. All-on-4 dental implants are one classic example.
Your Entire Arch on Just 4 Implants
Dental implants are extremely predictable. Their strength surpasses that of anatomical teeth. In fact, they can successfully support the weight of multiple teeth at a time, reducing the number of implants required in total. For example, you might have four teeth in a row that are missing. With implants, you can install a set of two and then permanently anchor a 4-tooth dental bridge on top of them.
So, what happens when all of the teeth on your upper or lower arch are missing, and you need full mouth reconstruction?
All-on-4 implant designs use the integrity of four strategically placed implants in your upper or lower jaw. Once fully integrated, a full-arch, hybrid prosthesis is permanently installed on top of them. You’re essentially replacing 14 teeth in a row (not counting your wisdom teeth) with just four implants total.
What Does it Look Like?
The actual “teeth” that go over your four dental implants are a hybrid between a traditional dental bridge and a full denture. Instead of a “plate” that rests over the roof of your mouth, a more streamlined “U” shaped device is placed directly over the arch where teeth typically set.
Although an All-on-4 restoration is a bit wider than you would see with a dental bridge (because it also covers portions of your gum tissues) it is far smaller than a denture. Nothing covers the roof of your mouth.
Since All-on-4 implants are a type of full mouth rehabilitation, Dr. Babak Behbahani can adjust the size, shape, and color of the teeth on your prosthesis. That way you’re both restoring your oral function as well as enhancing the way your smile looks.
Are They Right for You?
Even if you may have assumed that you weren’t a traditional dental implant candidate, All-on-4 treatment may still be a possibility. Since they utilize fewer implants and the installation sites are flexible, this type of therapy may work for people that otherwise don’t qualify for implant treatment. Our Phoenix dentist will need to briefly evaluate your bite to determine whether there is adequate bone support.
Permanently Fixed in Place
All-on-4 implants eliminate the need for removable dentures. Once your implant restoration is installed, it’s not going anywhere. You wear it 24/7, brushing and flossing around your restoration twice a day to keep it clean. There are no messy adhesives to use, and you don’t have to soak your prosthesis overnight the way you would with dentures.
Phoenix All-on-4 Implants
The benefits of All-on-4 implants make it easy to talk, smile, and eat the food you love. Call Central Valley Dentistry today to find out if our Phoenix dental implants are right for you!
