Frequently Asked Questions About All on Four Implants, PART 1

This article, part 1 of 2, provides the answers to some of the questions most frequently asked about the All-on-4 dental implant protocol.

All on Four implants have taken the fields of implant dentistry and fixed oral rehabilitation by storm. Where removable dentures were once considered to be the most sophisticated solution to rampant tooth loss and edentulism (not having any of your original adult teeth left), All on Four implants have stepped up to the very threshold of modern dentistry to assume the rightful title! With advantages such as instant smile aesthetics, immediate bite functionality and the preservation of one’s natural youthful facial contours, it’s no wonder the ‘All-on-4’ has been lauded as one of the most important breakthroughs to have been made in dentistry in recent decades. Here are some of the questions most frequently asked of dentists about All on Four implants. Whether you are either already edentulous or are facing an immediate future of edentulism, armed with this information, you can make the important decision that will see you enjoy a much improved quality of life; one without removable dentures!

Question 1 ~ What are All on Four Implants?

The ‘All-on-4’ essentially refers to a dental implant protocol… in other words, a technique used to guide the placement of dental implants. As the name suggests, this protocol only calls for the use of four dental implants to which a fully customized prosthetic dental bridge is permanently affixed. This bridge is carefully fabricated using molds of a patient’s teeth as well as CAT scan images and X-rays of the mouth and jaw. Once the prosthetic bridge has been attached to the four dental implants, the procedure is complete and the patient is free to return home!

Question 2 ~ What makes All on Four implants more desirable than removable dentures?

All on Four implants provide a non-removable tooth replacement solution for those in need of a new set of teeth. This allows for the following benefits:

• The ‘All-on-4’ prosthetic bridge cannot shift around or accidentally fall out
• It does not require removal for cleaning and is in fact looked after just like natural teeth,
• The ‘All-on-4’ does not call for additional expenses such as messy adhesives, cleaning pastes, anesthetic gels and refitting every few years or so.

Furthermore, with All on Four implants, the prosthetic bridge is fabricated to fit the natural contours of the gums and underlying jaw bone ridge, making it feel natural and not like some uncomfortable and foreign piece of plastic. Because the ‘All-on-4’ prosthetic is supported entirely by dental implants, and not by the soft tissues of the mouth as is the case with removable dentures, it doesn’t cause any pain, discomfort or the development of sores that are not allowed to heal. All on Four implants do not harbor bacteria, causing bad breath, nor do they impede speech, taste and one’s ability to eat all the foods they enjoy.

Stay tuned for the next installment of this two part blog series to find out more about All on Four implants and the difference they could make to your quality of life.