All-on-4 is the most reliable and durable way to restore your smile. This restorative option can provide a seamless, natural-appearing smile reserved for those missing teeth on one or both arches in the mouth. However, the process is somewhat lengthy and requires a commitment. Take a look at what you can expect during this process.
Due to the nature of the all-on-4, the oral surgeon must vet every patient. The ideal patient will have sufficient jawbone density and gum tissue. If the patient does not have the needed amount of jawbone and gum tissue, the oral surgeon can perform a bone or gum graft, depending on which has deteriorated.
The ideal candidate must also be free of gum disease and infections. Therefore, the patient must address these issues before scheduling another all-on-4 screening appointment. The oral surgeon will review the patient's dental history to see if the tooth loss was a result of long-term poor oral hygiene. If so, the surgeon may reconsider dental implants to prevent infection and implant rejection.
Lastly, the ideal candidate will be a non-smoker. Smoking is known to cause implant rejection and inhibit or drastically slow down the body's healing abilities. After a patient passes this process, they will receive a tentative schedule for the all-on-4 appointments.
Whether the patient needs all-on-4 on both arches or one, they work by screwing four dental implants in the jawbone. Dental implants are titanium posts. The procedure involves numbing the patient so they feel no discomfort. The oral surgeon will then make an incision in the gumline and drill holes into the jawbone. They will then insert the posts at a 45-degree angle in their correct positions. They will end by suturing the gumline.
Following this appointment, a fusing and healing process known as osseointegration will commence. During this time, the jawbone and post will fuse together. Patients will follow a soft-food diet and attend one or two appointments for approximately three months to assess healing.
The second appointment will involve placing the abutment on top of the posts. An abutment is a small titanium piece that juts out from the gumline. Therefore, the oral surgeon must reopen the gumline, not the jawbone, to attach it to the post. They will likely place a temporary set of dentures over the abutment for protection. Another healing process will ensure, but only for the gumline to close around the abutments. This process can take a few weeks to complete.
The final appointment involves the oral surgeon attaching a set of custom dentures to the abutment. Usually, no incisions are required. However, the surgeon will check the patient's bite to ensure a proper fit and function. If the surgeon needs to make minor adjustments, they can do so in the office. Once the patient and oral surgeon are satisfied, the dentures are anchored onto the abutments, providing a permanent restoration.
Once all-on-4 is complete, you can have a smile that lasts upwards of twenty years with proper care. While the dentures may need to be replaced after that time, the dental implants can last a lifetime. If you are interested in learning more about this restorative, contact our Big Stone Gap office.
Request an appointment here: https://www.healthyperfectsmile.com or call Powell Valley Dental at (276) 821-2544 for an appointment in our Big Stone Gap office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: All-on-4 Dental Implants in Big Stone Gap, VA.
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