All-on-4 is just one of the many advanced dental techniques we’ve invested in to improve the range of available procedures. Unlike traditional implant dentures in Bellingham, this innovative treatment method allows us to offer dental implant restorations to a greater number of patients. Contact our team to find out more or schedule a dental implant consultation at Moreno & Young Dental.
The All-on-4 treatment process is completed in two phases, much like the traditional implant denture procedure. During the initial phase, dental implants are surgically positioned below the gum line. However, this surgical implant placement is where the All-on-4 denture system differs. In traditional implant placement, dental implants are surgically placed at strategic points along the gum line to support all areas of the denture. All-on-4 harnesses the natural density at the front of the jawbone to support the entire prosthetic. As the name suggests, most patients require just four dental implants to complete this procedure. Two of the implant posts are placed vertically into the jawbone to anchor the front part of the denture, and two dental implants are angled from the back of the jaw to fuse with the front part of the jaw. This provides optimal stability for the entire prosthetic without the need for advanced preparatory procedures like bone or soft tissue grafting.
Any patient in need of a full denture, and patients who are unhappy with the comfort or stability of their existing traditional denture may want to consider the unique All-on-4 dental implant treatment. This process specifically offers an ideal solution to improve the success of dental implant placement and restoration for patients who may not otherwise be ideal candidates for the traditional dental implant procedure. That includes patients who have significantly diminished bone density and those who may not have otherwise had enough jawbone structure to undergo placement surgery.
There are numerous benefits to All-on-4 dentures compared to removable and traditional implant dentures. Some of the most common benefits of All-on-4 include:
All-on-4 dentures work identically to traditional implant dentures, except they’re more commonly recommended for patients who have been missing teeth for awhile and have suffered from jawbone deterioration. Over time, as the jawbone isn’t being stimulated by tooth roots, it will erode. For patients who don’t have a dense enough jawbone but want to get dental implants in Bellingham, they may require a bone graft procedure before they’re able to undergo implant placement surgery. The All-on-4 procedure reduces the chances that patients with jawbone erosion will need a bone graft by placing the implants in the thickest parts of the jawbone so they can successfully integrate with it. This dramatically cuts down the treatment time so patients can enjoy their new smiles sooner.
Your implant dentist in Bellingham may need to have a special type of X-ray performed to determine your bone density prior to your surgery. A state-of-the-art CT/Cone Beam Scanner is used for this process.
For most treatments, digital X-rays that capture just a small area of the smile are more than adequate in the diagnosis and treatment planning process. However, for procedures like dental implant placement and TMJ therapies, a complete view of the smile is necessary. That’s where the state-of-the-art CT/Cone Beam Scanner comes in. We use these 3D scans of the entire smile to create a more complete and accurate diagnosis and treatment plan that repairs the full form and function of the mouth.
Digital images from the CT/Cone Beam Scanner are viewable on chairside computer monitors just like intraoral photos and digital X-rays. We’re able to show patients a clear, panoramic view of their full smile as well as surrounding supportive oral and facial structures. In addition to utilizing these images in creating precise treatment plans, 3D images also allow patients to have a better understanding of their oral health conditions and potential treatments.
If you’re missing all of your natural teeth, and you’re interested in an incredibly efficient restorative treatment, then All-on-4 dental implants might be the solution for you. Even though you can expect to enjoy various benefits from this procedure, it’s natural to want to know as much as possible before committing to anything. Our team has collected and answered some of our most frequently asked questions about this service to help you feel more comfortable and confident about your decision. Read on or give us a call today to learn more about All-on-4 dental implants in Bellingham!
The main difference between traditional and All-on-4 dental implants is the number of metal posts used. For the latter, the procedure is specifically designed to use four implants per arch to replace all of your missing teeth. On the other hand, traditional ones may utilize around five to eight metal posts on the upper or lower arch. Additionally, some patients may require bone grafting for traditional implants to ensure their restorations are supported, whereas the majority of All-on-4 patients won’t need it for the process to be successful. In this sense, All-on-4 can save you more on time and cost when compared to the traditional treatment.
Similar to our other oral procedures, our team will first completely numb your mouth with a local anesthetic, that way you remain comfortable and pain-free throughout your appointment. We’ll likely also provide you with sedation dentistry (specifically IV sedation) to both calm your nerves and further reduce your ability to register pain. The sedative will be so strong that you may not even remember your procedure. Though you’ll remain conscious and able to respond to simple verbal commands, you’ll typically feel almost in a dream state. In the end, our team will make sure that you’re entirely comfortable from start to finish for a more pleasant experience.
Once you’ve completed your procedure, you’ll have to wait for your dental implants to bond properly with your jawbone via osseointegration. For traditional implants, the healing period can go anywhere from three to four months. However, the recovery process for All-on-4 doesn’t always take as much time. Some patients are even able to eat solid foods on the same day as their procedure. Of course, this will mostly depend on your oral health and aftercare measures. For this reason, you should follow your dentist’s post-op instructions so that you can ensure a smooth and quick recovery!
Part of your initial consultation will involve assessing your smile and taking incredibly precise impressions so that your final results will fit your specific mouth. With our advanced technology and techniques, you should expect to receive brand-new, durable, long-lasting, and natural-looking pearly whites that won’t be noticeable to others. Over time, your All-on-4 implants should begin to feel like your normal teeth as well since you’ll be free to eat all your favorite meals again.
