If you are missing a row of teeth, it can be a challenging situation for you to continue normal activities like eating, smiling or even talking properly. Traditionally, this was restored with a removable partial denture that would clip onto your remaining teeth. But with the advancement in dental implantology, it is possible to replace your missing teeth and provide you with natural looking and functioning teeth. The end result is also comfortable and doesn’t affect your remaining teeth as it doesn’t involve the use of clasps attached to your teeth that can promote tooth decay in those teeth.
A full upper and / or lower arch restoration can be executed in just one surgical visit with the All on Four implants procedure by your chosen dentist in the dental implant center. The whole process utilizes four implants with the back implants inclined to boost the bone-to-implant contact, this further enables immediate loading and functioning of the substitution teeth.
The All on Four Treatment Protocol
The All on Four implants treatment entails a three-stage treatment protocol as categorized in the following mentioned stages:
The Diagnostic Stage: If you are among those patients who have lost teeth or wear dentures, then you could indeed be a candidate for the all-on-4 procedure. Your dentist will use various diagnostic technologies entailing 3D imaging, CT scan, etc. to determine if you are an appropriate candidate for this procedure.
During the first visit, the dentist will take high-resolution photographs, 3D CAT scan, digital x-rays, and a thorough clinical assessment. This will be followed by the specialist elucidation of the case diagnosis and treatment options inclusive of the all on 4 or any other alternative treatments to replace one or more missing teeth, mini implant solutions and non-implant options. The dentist will also take your teeth impressions for diagnostic modeling and diagnostic design. You will also be presented with an accurate cost element that will be involved in the procedure.
The Surgical Stage: For a number of cases, the surgical stage encompasses extractions, bone grafts and bone re-contouring (if required) and the surgical insertion of the four dental implants in your lower and / or upper arch. These dental implant patients receive implant-secured teeth instantly following surgery in just one visit.
You can resume to your normal activities within 24 - 72 hours. The dentist might fix your follow up visits at 1st, 4thand 12th weeks after the surgery. These follow-up visits will be just simple post-op / follow-up visits to ensure that everything is looking, feeling and healing as indicated. You will also be advised to follow a modified diet until you receive your final teeth.
The Restorative Stage: The restorative phase usually begins 16 weeks post the initial surgery when the implants have completely incorporated within the jawbone. Your dentist might also schedule a standard adjustment visit 1 - 2 weeks later to make sure that everything functions, looks and feels exactly as it should.
The all-on-four implants can last for many years if they are properly taken care of. Visit your dentist regularly post the treatment to ensure the good working condition of the dental implants.
