Around 120 million Americans are missing at least one tooth, according to the American College of Prosthodontists. Of this number, around 36 million do not have any remaining teeth. Missing teeth can have a major impact on a person’s quality of life, affecting their speech, diet, jaw function, facial appearance, bite, and more.
If you are missing teeth, one of the very best solutions is all-on-4 dental implants. This treatment option is convenient and affordable, providing permanent results and giving patients the stability of natural teeth.
If you are considering getting all-on-4 dental implants, then this blog post is for you. Here, your expert team at Brighton Dental will highlight what you need to know about all-on-4 dental implants and whether or not they are right for you. Let’s get started.
What Are All-On-4 Dental Implants?
Put simply, all-on-4 dental implants are prosthetic teeth that serve to replace the top and/or bottom teeth. They get their name from the fact that they are attached to the jaw using only 4 surgically placed anchors.
There are a number of steps involved in the process of getting all-on-4 dental implants. These include:
- Examination of dental and medical records
- CT scans of your jawbone
- Creation of a computer simulation of the dental implants
- The oral surgery to place the implants directly into the jawbone
Some patients may require a bone graft before undertaking the implant procedure. However, given that this is an advanced implant technique, a bone graft will not be required for the majority of patients. We’ll discuss with you in greater detail each step during your initial consultation.
Who Is a Good Candidate for All-On-4 Dental Implants?
When it comes to all-on-4 dental implants, the best candidates are those who are missing all or most of their teeth (whether on one or both arches), as this helps to minimize tooth removal.
There are a number of prerequisites for this procedure. These include that the patient does not smoke and is in good enough health to undergo surgery. As noted, a bone graft procedure may be necessary if the patient does not have the required amount of bone density to support the implants.
Some of the benefits of all-on-4 dental implants include:
- Improved speech
- Restored confidence and self-esteem
- Enhanced smile
- Restored chewing function
- Reduced risk of oral infection
When properly cared for, dental implants can last forever.
Thinking About Getting All-On-4 Dental Implants?
The bottom line is that all-on-4 dental implants are a wonderful treatment option for people who are missing teeth or have damaged teeth. For people living in San Diego, their premier choice is Brighton Dental.
We specialize in holistic and non-toxic dentistry. If you are interested in learning more about all-on-4 dental implants, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with our expert and friendly team. We look forward to discussing this treatment option with you and helping to restore your smile.