All-on-4 Treatment Concept
Downey, CA
 Whether you have recently lost teeth or you have been wearing dentures, you may be considering the use of dental implants. You may have heard about all of the incredible benefits that they can provide and want to experience them for yourself. At Downey Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, we offer several options for patients missing all teeth in a single arch, including the All-on-4 treatment concept.
Supporting Your Teeth on Only 4 Implant Posts
The typical implant solution for a patient missing all teeth in either the top or bottom arch is to use between 6 and 8 posts. This solution is not the best for everyone. With the All-on-4 treatment concept, we use only 4 posts.
Avoid the Need for a Bone Graft
If you have been missing your teeth for a while, or you have been wearing dentures for a while, your jawbone will have lost bone mass. This weakens the bone, which makes it more difficult to use the standard number of implants. Typically, this would make a bone graft necessary. However, with the All-on-4 treatment concept, the need for a bone graft is greatly reduced or even eliminated. This is because we make use of the bone mass you do have left in your jaw. The posts at the back of the jaw are also angled, which helps to maximize anchorage. Because you do not need a bone graft, you do not have to worry about additional surgery and recovery time.
Stability for Improved Confidence
While the All-on-4 treatment concept does use fewer implant posts, their placement provides incredible stability. You will no longer have to worry about dentures coming loose at the worst possible moments. Your teeth are strong and stable, and will not move at all. You will be able to eat and speak without fear. This can give you a much-needed boost of confidence. You will be able to spend time with your family and friends and enjoy yourself instead of worrying about whether or not your teeth are going to fall out.
A Lower Cost Option
Cost is a big concern for many patients considering dental implants. Because All-on-4 uses fewer implant posts, and because you do not need to have a bone graft first, the treatment is much more cost friendly. With fewer posts, surgery is shorter. Less surgery typically results in a shorter recovery period, which then means fewer follow-up appointments. All of these factors help to contribute to a lower cost.
Are There Other Options Available?
The All-on-4 treatment concept is just one option for patients missing the necessary bone mass for the typical full arch replacement. Another solution is implant supported dentures. There are two types, bar retained and ball retained. Bar-retained implant supported dentures use a bar attached to the implants to support your teeth. The teeth clip onto the bar. A ball retained implant supported denture uses implant posts that have small balls on their ends. The teeth then snap onto these balls. Unlike the All-on-4 treatment concept, which is a fixed solution, both implant supported denture solutions are removable.
For more information about the All-on-4 treatment concept, and to find out if you are a candidate, contact Downey Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at 562-459-3311 today! |
