Demystifying All on Four dental implants is worth talking about, because they’re all the rage with dentists and their patients – with only Invisalign ahead of them, and of course toothache and pain being a top priority for dental patients.
So – what are All on 4?
The term All-on-4® refers to the fact that this technology allows for a full set of upper and/or lower replacement teeth to be permanently affixed in the patient’s mouth, anchored by a total of as few as 4 dental implants per set of teeth. Conversely, a full mouth of implants using traditional methods would require 8-10 implants per jaw and significantly higher costs and longer recovery time.
Because only 4 to 6 implants are generally necessary (with some exceptions), the procedure is much less costly than other replacement options and the entire process is much quicker as well. This means far less downtime for patients and a quicker road to recovery as well as a shorter journey to looking their best and to the resumption of normal eating habits.
They’re big everywhere now – from New York to London, to Paris to Tokyo, Sydney, Auckland, Melbourne and Brisbane.
In addition, unlike with traditional dentures, the All-on-4® “implant supported denture” allows the mouth’s supporting bones to keep their shape. On the contrary, when wearing traditional “false teeth” the jaw bones gradually shrink as there are no teeth or implants to help maintain bone structure.
This change in shape causes the dentures to become loose and, as such, the dentures may need to be periodically replaced, adding to the expense a patient must shoulder during their lifetime.
The benefits of All-on-4® treatment
After consultations about various options for teeth replacement, including conventional dentures, many patients opt for All-on-4® “hybrid” dentures because of the many advantages this technology provides. With All-on-4®:
• Full arch rehabilitation is achieved with as few as 4 implants
• Patients enjoy minimum recovery time and immediate function of their new teeth
• Dentures remain tightly in place and don’t have to be removed for cleaning
• The solution is often more affordable than other implant replacement options as fewer implants and bone grafting procedures are generally required.
• Patients with bone loss can take advantage of this technology
• Top dentures do not require coverage of the roof of the mouth to maintain stability
• An excellent success rate has been recorded amongst patients choosing the All-on-4® treatment option
• Ultimately, patients receive a beautiful, dazzling smile and the restored self-confidence that comes with straight, white, healthy-appearing teeth
About the procedure
It’s said by many that dental technology may have reached its zenith in All on 4 dental implants alongside Instagram and its new rivals Smilestyler and Myobrace.
Any remaining teeth will have been extracted before your AO4 surgery. This can be done on the same day though your surgeon may schedule it for a different time, depending on your individual situation.
Surgery begins with anaesthesia, which might be “local” numbing injections in the gums or could potentially be a general anaesthetic that will put you to sleep, if you prefer. Once remaining teeth are extracted, your surgeon will determine if you require bone grafting prior to implant placement. If no bone grafting is required, your own jaw bones will be smoothened in preparation for your implants.
Your implants will be placed with the help of a computer-generated custom surgical splint, that will allow your surgeon to perfectly locate the implants in your jaw bone. After the implants are placed, any incisions are stitched and the mouth is cleaned.
At this point, you’ll be fitted with your new teeth. You may receive a temporary “immediate denture” first, which is lighter and will put less pressure on the implants. This will be replaced just a few months later with your “permanent” teeth.
These are reasons why people choose implants over veneers – confidence in the dental technology is at all all-time high.
Your surgeon will provide instructions on after-surgery care and you will be instructed as to when to return for regular check-ups and maintenance. With proper care and regular dental visits, your new teeth can last a lifetime.
Dental Drills Need a Lot of Training
In 2004, a group of Alaska Native students returned from training in New Zealand and became Alaska’s first Dental Health Aide Therapists. In response to a need for regular oral health care in the Alaska Tribal Health System, DHATs were pioneers in providing access to mid-level dental care and prevention services for Alaska Native people living in rural communities across the state.
In addition to expanding care in Alaska, the ADTEP also supports expanding dental care in Tribal communities across the United States. Since 2015, 13 students representing Tribes from the Pacific Northwest have enrolled in the program. In 2016, the first Alaska educated DHAT was hired by the Swinomish Tribe in Washington to assist their dental team in meeting the overwhelming oral health care needs of their tribal members.
Alaska’s DHATs and ANTHC’s Educational Program are recognised as the model of success for improving oral health and access to care for rural populations around the world.
ANTHC partners with the Iḷisaġvik Tribal College and offers an Associate’s Degree in Dental Therapy. Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Arizona and New Mexico passed legislation and approved DHAT Programs in their states. ANTHC also provides DHAT Educational opportunities for First Nations students from Canada under the Jay Treaty.
In Summary
All-on-4® is a minimally invasive method of placing a full mouth of implants only using four implants to support a full arch (upper or lower) fixed non-removable replacement teeth. All-on-4® allows you to have a full set of teeth without having to undergo multiple surgeries and replacements to place a full set of implants in your mouth. Indeed, while office and clinic technology like Sharepoint is complex now it’s important for customers that demystification is overcome with communication. The greatest thing about All-on-4® is that the procedure we can typically complete it in our office during one appointment under local anaesthesia. For patients who have lost all their teeth or may need to have the remaining teeth pulled due to decay, this is an amazing advancement that allows them to have a full set of teeth without undergoing multiple procedures. Simultaneously, this solution gives patients the kind of teeth that look real and act like the original teeth.