Frequently Asked Questions About the ‘All on Four’ in Houston: PART 2

This article (Part 2 of 2) tackles some of the issues and questions frequently raised by patients who have been told that they are candidates for the ‘All on Four’ dental implant technique.

The All on Four in Houston: Introduction

In this article, part 2 of 2, some of the questions that are frequently asked about the innovative dental implant technique (the All on Four in Houston) by patients suffering from tooth loss and edentulism as a result of advanced periodontal (gum) disease are addressed.

Question 3 ~ How long does it take for me to get new teeth with the All on Four in Houston?

Answer: The amount of time it takes for you to undergo complete oral rehabilitation with the All on Four in Houston depends to a significant degree on the extent of the damage done to your jaw by periodontal disease. This disease is characterized as an acute and chronic bacterial infection of the jaw bone and soft tissues in the mouth. If left untreated in its early stages, as it so frequently is, it can cause rampant tooth loss, decay and the significant loss of bone volume in the jaw. So, if you require a new set of teeth and your jaw bone is still relatively healthy, then it is possible for the implantologist to perform the All on Four in Houston in a single dental appointment! In fact, it is this possibility in itself that has awarded this incredible technique with ‘breakthrough’ status in the fields of dental implantology and fixed oral rehabilitation.

However, if your jaw bone has become severely atrophied and cannot stably support the All on Four in Houston dental implants, then you will need to undergo bone grafting surgery to augment and encourage the growth of new and healthy hard tissue beforehand. The healing process can take anywhere between three and twelve months before your jaw will be strong enough for the All on Four in Houston. So, in summary, no standard treatment time can be blanketed across all individual patients. You will need to be properly assessed by a dental implantologist who will make the appropriate recommendations.

Question 4 ~ Does the procedure involved in the All on Four in Houston hurt?

Answer: Thanks to the sedative medications used before the All on Four in Houston, the anesthesia used during and analgesics (painkillers) prescribed afterwards, patients seldom complain of acute pain and discomfort associated with this procedure. Since only four dental implants are used for complete oral rehabilitation (and with the aid of sophisticated computer software to assist the implantologist in the detailed planning of the procedure), the number of incisions and sutures are kept to a minimum as is the invasive nature of the procedure. Consequently, most patients only complain of mild pain the following morning and in fact are often enjoying a hearty lunch by that afternoon! The level of pain and discomfort associated with the All on Four in Houston does, however, vary from patient to patient, especially for those requiring bone grafting surgery beforehand. However, the prescription of analgesics and anti-inflammatory medications by the implantologist will all help to keep you comfortable and the pain to a minimum.