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All-on-Four is a dental implant system that can replace an entire arch of upper or lower missing teeth, or even both arches. It is innovative and cost-effective and has already helped many people worldwide.
In the right hands, All-on-Four can have an excellent success rate, but problems can arise, like any procedure. Some problems can develop soon after implant treatment, while others can occur years later.
This article explains more about All-on-Four and what you can do to ensure the success of your treatment.
What is All-on-Four?
All-on-Four is an advanced implant technique in which an entire arch of teeth is supported with as few as four dental implants. Because relatively few implants are needed, treatment is more affordable.
The implants can be restored with a full-arch bridge, which is permanently fitted onto them. Another alternative is a removable denture that clips onto the implants. It can be removed for easy cleaning.
The Advantages of Choosing All-on-Four
The implants are inserted toward the front of the mouth, which is advantageous. The jawbone here tends to be naturally thicker, stronger, and more able to support dental implants. Using this technique can help avoid or reduce the need for bone grafting.
Bone grafting is often needed when restoring a full arch of teeth using traditional implant techniques. Advanced gum disease or losing teeth years ago can lead to jawbone resorption, resulting in inadequate bone to support the implants correctly.
While two implants are inserted vertically right at the front of the mouth, the remaining two are inserted on either side but are angled backward. Tilting these implants increases the length of the implant post that can be used and provides greater contact with the bone surrounding them. The result is increased stability and strength.
Sometimes, more than Four Implants are Necessary
Although some full-mouth restorations are fine with just four dental implants for support, others will benefit from a greater number. More experienced implant dentists with more advanced skills will often call this technique All-on-Six.
A dental implant dentist may suggest using six implants for support when restoring the upper arch of teeth. The upper jawbone tends to be naturally thinner than the lower jaw, so the extra support helps provide a better treatment outcome.
Potential Problems of All-on-Four Restoration
Other potential problems of All-on-Four treatments are described below.
Bulky Restorations
An All-on-Four restoration can feel very bulky when you first receive it. This is because the restoration may replace gum tissue artificially as well as teeth, especially when significant jawbone resorption has occurred. Some people are unprepared for this feeling and might find it difficult to get used to it initially.
One way around this problem is to ensure your implant dentist shows you examples of All-on-Four restorations and describes how yours will look once it is complete. It cannot prepare you for the sensation of the bridge once it is fitted, but it will provide a better idea of what to expect.
Also, you will need to get used to the weight. These restorations are often made from zirconia, a strong, durable ceramic. A large bridge could feel quite heavy at first, but this feeling should quickly disappear when you become accustomed to it in your mouth.
Durable but Not Indestructible
Although your new teeth will be very strong, they can still become broken or chipped, especially if improperly designed or if you bite down too heavily. Assessing how hard you bite down can be difficult when you have a complete set of implant teeth.
Over time, you will become accustomed to this new sensation, and your bite will feel more normal. However, remember that implant teeth do not register hot and cold sensations.
Speech
Any new dental appliance can alter speech, and it will take a little time to get accustomed to teeth that could feel thicker and larger than before. Luckily, this is temporary, and with practice, you should soon find your speech is back to normal. It would be rare to have long-term problems, especially if you have a well-designed implant bridge.
Infection
Dental implants, or rather the tissues around them, can become infected with a disease like gum disease, called peri-implantitis. This can occur soon after implant placement or years later.
Peri-implantitis is usually the result of poor oral care. It is extremely important to clean around the dental implants thoroughly and regularly and to ensure your implant bridge is also kept clean and hygienic.
Your implant dentist can provide detailed instructions on keeping your implants clean and infection-free. You should also see a dentist regularly for checkups and hygiene appointments so your implants can be checked and professionally cleaned.
If you think you won’t be able to maintain a good level of oral hygiene, you might be better off choosing an alternative treatment, as the risk of implant failure will be considerably higher.
Choose the Right Dental Implant Dentist for Your All-on-Four or All-on-Six Treatment
If you are considering having All-on-Four, choose your implant dentist carefully. The right choice will make all the difference to the long-term treatment outcome and will ensure you receive teeth that are fully functional while looking great and feeling comfortable.
Implant Treatment Should Be Routine
Ideally, choose a dental office that routinely provides this service and has all the necessary specialist equipment on-site, such as a cone beam CT scanner. It is vital to ensure that they use computer-guided surgery to plan and place all implants. Reputable dental offices will do this anyway.
Dental Implant Components
Ask about the implants used by your dental office. You want to ensure they use a reputable brand, preferably nothing generic. Replacing any generic components later will be harder, especially if you have changed dental offices. Using a brand name also ensures you receive high-quality, rigorously researched and developed components.
Do You Feel Comfortable Dealing with Your Dental Implant Dentist?
When you see your implant dentist, they should allow plenty of time to answer your questions and show you examples of implant restorations. Ensure you feel comfortable dealing with your chosen dental office, as you must visit several times during your treatment.
Sedation Dentistry
Lastly, many people feel nervous about the surgery needed for dental implants, but sedation dentistry can relieve these fears. Your dentist will likely offer sedation dentistry to ensure you feel comfortable and relaxed during treatment. The sedative is tailored to meet your needs and can contain an amnesiac, so afterward, you will have little or no memory of your treatment.
Read more: The Difference Between a Mini Dental Implant and a Standard Implant
All-on-Four success depends less on implant count and more on placement precision, home care, and follow-up. Most complications are manageable when caught early or avoided through good hygiene. An implant dentist at VITAdent’s dental office in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn can plan your treatment with computer-guided surgery. Schedule a consultation today to find out if All-on-Four is right for you.