How Does All-on-4 Work?

All-on-4 allows your dentist to replace all fourteen teeth in an arch with just four dental implants.  The implants require a unique contouring of the jawbone and precise positioning and angling to support the prosthesis (sometimes called a denture or bridge).  The contour of the bone and the specific position and angulation of the implants properly distributes the chewing forces for the best long-term success.

Once the surgeon creates the best contour of the jawbone and places the dental implants in the prescribed position and angle, your dentist fits the prosthesis, or new teeth.  The new teeth are one continuous unit that attaches to the dental implants with small screws.  These attachments keep the teeth firmly in place throughout any normal function.  An all-on-four prosthesis is not removable by the patient.  Your dentist can remove it, but you cannot.

What are the Advantages of All-on-4 over Implant Supported Dentures?

Another tooth replacement option for an entire arch is an implant-supported denture.  While they may seem similar at first glance, there are some important differences between All-on-4 and implant-supported dentures.

What Are Implant-Supported Dentures?

Implant – supported dentures are more similar to traditional dentures than to all-on-four, despite the presence of implants. Implant-supported dentures require removal of the denture and still use pink acrylic material to act as the “gums” that hold the plastic teeth.  Implant-supported dentures are better than traditional dentures in that they attach to implant anchors for a secure connection to the jaws. They stay in place during eating, talking, and laughing.

How is All-on-4 Better?

All-on-4 has a few advantages over implant-supported dentures.

• Embarrassment-Free– As stated earlier, you are not able to remove all-on-four prostheses. The unit of teeth attaches to the dental implants with tiny screws. Your dentist can remove the prosthesis if needed, but you cannot.  This means you sleep with your teeth in place. There is no reason for anyone to know that you have “false teeth”.
• Little to No Staining– The teeth in an all-on-four prosthesis are usually either porcelain or a tooth-colored material called zirconia. These highly polished, glossy materials do not collect stain as easily as plastic does.  This means your smile stays beautiful for longer!  It will not pick up dark colors from coffee, tea, red wine, or tobacco.
• More Natural Appearance– Because all-on-four prosthetics replace only the missing teeth and not the gums, they are less bulky under the lips and cheeks. Sometimes dentures (both traditional and implant-supported dentures) can make the cheeks and lips look too full because of the bulk of acrylic material underneath. This allows you to maintain the natural contours of your face.

What is the Process for All-on-4?

Even though the typical all-on-four treatment happens in one day, it involves a significant amount of planning on the pre-operative end and follow-up on the post-operative side.

Before Surgery:

The pre-operative planning for All-on-4 implants includes both imaging and lab time. Your dentist and surgeon require three-dimensional imaging of the jawbones and any existing teeth.  This imaging makes exact implant positioning and angulation possible.  During the pre-operative planning process, you will take part in the process of designing the new teeth. You communicate to your dentist the color, shape, and alignment you prefer for your new smile.  Then your dentist works with a dental laboratory to make your prosthesis.

Surgery Day:

The actual surgery consists of several different parts. The dental surgeon will remove any remaining teeth first. Then he or she will contour the existing jawbone to create the right dimensions to support your new prosthesis.  Once the bone has the perfect contour, the surgeon will place the four dental implants according to the specifications set during the pre- operative planning.

Home Care

The oral hygiene requirements for all-on-four teeth are definitely simpler than those for real teeth, but they are still very important. The teeth are all connected, so you cannot floss. The goal of oral hygiene with an all-on-four is to prevent any accumulation of plaque or food debris underneath the teeth (between the prosthesis and the gums). You can best accomplish this with a few steps.

1. First, rinse your mouth 1-2 times each day with an antiseptic, alcohol-free mouth rinse. This will help flush out any buildup from under the teeth.
2. Use a tool like a Waterpik to clean under the teeth with pressurized water. This keeps your gums healthy and lowers the risk of gum disease around the implants. Dental implants cannot get cavities, but they can lose bone as a result of gum disease.
3. Brush the teeth with a soft bristled toothbrush and a NON-whitening toothpaste. Do not, under any circumstances, use whitening toothpaste on an all-on-four prosthesis. You can scratch the porcelain and make staining more likely.

ORSATTI DENTAL 

Located in San Antonio, the dental experts at Orsatti Dental have many years of experience in both dental implants, routine dentistry and dental restoration. If you’d like more information about what dental implants can do for you, contact Orsatti Dental in San Antonio today. The smile of your dreams is just a phone call away.