When patients lose all of their teeth, it can be devastating to the self-esteem and compromise the patient’s health as well. Conventional dentures can help to restore the smile’s appearance, but they lack the important structural supports below the gumline that natural teeth have. Dentures that are supported by dental implants offer a more structurally complete restoration.
One treatment, known as All-on-4, uses just four dental implants to secure an entire prosthetic arch. A periodontist can use this intervention on both the upper and lower arches to give the patient a completely new smile. The implants are placed toward the front of the jaw, so even patients who have experienced some bone loss at the rear of the jaw can still be eligible for this treatment.
A periodontist is well-suited to providing the All-on-4 treatment due to the specialty’s expertise in the gum tissue and its supporting structures, both of which play an important role in dental implant stability.
In the months that follow implant placement, the jawbone will form a bond with a dental implant, which mimics the structure and function of a biological tooth’s root.
In the months that follow implant placement, the jawbone will form a bond with a dental implant, which mimics the structure and function of a biological tooth’s root.
With the All-on-4 treatment, that physical link between the implant and jaw keeps the denture in place more securely than a denture adhesive would. This minimizes the possibility of embarrassing slip-ups at important moments.
Furthermore, implant-supported dentures look and feel more like biological teeth. The implant’s root-like structure also helps the appliance to tolerate stronger forces, which can make the appliance more effective at chewing.
Patients who don’t want to be toothless for weeks and weeks will also appreciate the brief treatment timeline of All-on-4. After the treatment plan is ready, the implant placement procedure can be completed in a single appointment, and most patients can be fitted with the appliance on that same day.
You don’t have to suffer with an ill-fitting, unstable appliance to restore your smile after tooth loss. Schedule a consultation with our skilled team today to learn more about All-on-4 and whether you might benefit from this treatment.
