All-On-4
What is All-On-4 (Implant-Fixed Dentures)
All-On-4 is a cutting edge procedure that has been successfully used to help patients replace all of the teeth in one full arch (all of your top teeth or all of your bottom teeth) or in your entire mouth. All-On-4® is a registered trademark of Nobel Biocare, a manufacturer of dental implants, and refers to “all” teeth in one arch being supported “on 4” dental implants. The treatment was developed as a more affordable alternative to replacing every tooth in the top or bottom arch, or both arches, with implants. One way to think of All-On-4 is a denture that is anchored into your mouth with implants. It is not removable, unless removed by a dentist. In other words, All-On-4 is implant-fixed non-removable dentures. Although the name is All-On-4, four is the minimum number of implants required. You may need anywhere from 4 to 10 implants, depending on a number of factors such as amount of bone in your jaw, health history, bite force, and type of material for prosthesis. For those who are having issues with your dentures, or are thinking or dentures, All-On-4 may be an optimal treatment option.
Benefits of All-on-4
Implant-fixed dentures offer a number of benefits over traditional dentures on their own. You get a new set of beautiful teeth that won’t move around. Fixed dentures will feel more like natural teeth. They are more comfortable than traditional removable dentures because they are fixed to a person’s mouth, so they do not shift or slide around in your mouth like a traditional denture. You won’t have to worry about your denture moving around while you are talking or eating and you won’t have to deal with sore spots. The prosthesis is slimmer than traditional dentures, lacking the flanges that traditional dentures have, and takes up less space in the mouth and feels less bulky. You won’t have to deal with goopy denture adhesive. You don’t have to take them out at night. Studies have shown that people who were dissatisfied with traditional dentures and changed to implant-fixed dentures reported an improvement in their quality of life.
All-On-4 Considerations
One consideration for getting implant-fixed dentures is that you need to get implants. Implants require a small procedure to place implant in the jaw and takes some healing time before the crown is placed onto the implant. All on 4 is more cost-effective than a full mouth (or arch) of implants, but is more expensive that a traditional removable denture because of the added cost of implants. Learn more about Implants
Care for All-On-4
You should brush and floss your prosthesis as you regularly would and use a waterpik, a pressure washer for your mouth, to clean under your prosthesis. You can still get gum disease so good oral hygiene habits are still critical.
Next Step
If you are interested in learning more about All-On-4, Advanced Dental Solutions can help you; Call us today at 517-367-1200 to schedule a consultation.