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More than 35 million people in America are missing all of their upper and/or lower teeth. And while dentures can be a great option for some people, others are opting for what’s called “All-on-4” dental implant restoration.
All-on-4 is a surgical technique and prosthodontics procedure when “all” teeth are supported “on four” dental implants. It can also be used for patients who have teeth that are badly broken down, decayed, or compromised teeth due to gum disease.
The All-on-4 dental restoration is considered to be a revolutionary tooth replacement solution since every missing tooth does not require a dental implant. All that is required are four implants precisely placed at the top of your mouth and four on the bottom, and you will be well on your way to an improved smile!
More specifically, the surgical technique involves the placement of four dental implants in the anterior maxilla, where bone density is high. A fixed prosthesis containing 10 to 14 teeth is supported by four implants and is typically placed into the mouth within 24 hours of surgery.
The benefits of All-on-4 implants include:
- Complete restoration of the arch
- Shorter installation times than other implants
- Immediate function capabilities
- Prevention of further bone loss
- Bone level stabilization to renew a youthful appearance
- Decreased need for a bone graft
- Reduces overall cost when compared to single implants
Description of the procedure.
All-on-4 is a term that gets its name from the treatment method application, which involves a dental prosthesis containing at least 12 teeth (bridge) fixed in the jaw that are based on four titanium implants.
The procedure is recommended for patients who have experienced significant tooth loss or decay, as well as for people whose bone loss in the jaw area has prevented them from getting conventionally oriented (vertical) dental implants.
The loss of a tooth is often accompanied by loss of the jaw bone, which poses a problem for the reconstruction of the jaw bone and likely requires bone grafting. The All-on-4 technique can help take advantage of the dense bone that remains in the front part of the jaws by placing two posterior implants on an angle. This angle helps to protect the nerve canal in the lower jaw as well as the sinus cavities in the upper jaw.
The All-on-4 Procedure
First, a careful analysis of the bone structure needs to be made, which is ideally done by a CBCT scan. The protocol for an All-on-4 procedure is to place at least four implants in the jaw, with the back implants typically angled approximately 30-45 degrees from the biting plane. The dental implant is placed in front of the maxillary sinus in the upper jaw (maxilla) and in front of the mental nerve in the lower jaw (mandible). A molar tooth is allowed to be cantilevered posterior after the head of the implant emerges in approximately the second premolar position. The result? A denture or bridge with approximately 12 teeth.
While it might sound complicated, you can take comfort in knowing that the expert team at Dental Care East Hanover can work with you to provide an individualized treatment plan to best meet your needs. Contact us to learn more about our comprehensive implant services, today!
