All-on-4
Replace a full arch of missing or damaged teeth.
The All-on-4 treatment concept is a tooth replacement procedure that provides a permanent, graft-less, and rapid replacement for the entire upper or lower set of teeth.
All-on dental implants are best suited for the total rehabilitation of a patient who has lost most of their teeth due to long-standing gum disease or traumatic injury. It is also a viable option for patients whose bone loss in the jaw area prevents them from getting conventionally oriented (vertical) dental implants.
Often, tooth loss is accompanied by loss of the jaw bone, for which to be reconstructed will need additional bone grafting surgeries. This all-on technique takes advantage of the dense remnant bone available in the front of the jaws by placing a few dental implants on an angle. This strategic angulation of the dental implants allows them to maneuver around your sinus cavities in the upper jaw and the nerve canal in the lower jaw.
Is an All-on-4 Solution Right for Me?
Your dentist will provide you with treatment options, but you should know that there are several different kinds of All-on procedures you may be presented with. Your dentist will seek to fulfill your dental aspirations by factoring in qualities that are important to you and your oral health.
All-on-4 Dental Implants
As the name suggests, All-on-4 dental implants is a procedure that involves supporting “all” of your teeth being placed “on four” dental implants. You will receive a total of four dental implants on each of your dental arches, upon which either a bridge or an overdenture can be screwed in.
For fully edentulous patients, the All-on-4 dental implants will be a great selling point because that means that you will get your shiny teeth back only with the help of four easy-going dental implants.
All-on-6 or All-on-8 Dental Implants
There is no “one-size-fits-all” model when it comes to dental implants and dentists consistently find contrived ways to combat all dental issues. For this reason, sometimes an All-on-4 implant treatment may not be enough to secure an overloading dental bridge or denture. In these cases, All-on-6 or All-on-8 implants are placed. More implants means that the anchorage to the bridge or denture becomes tighter and sturdier.
In this procedure, 6 or 8 implants are placed either on the top or bottom dental arch. A fixed bridge of 12 to 14 teeth is connected to the implants to form a stable and secured structure. Out of the lot, All-on-8 dental implants offer the maximum amount of implants needed to restructure your mouth and fill out the spaces of your missing teeth.
What Are the Different Materials Used For an All-on Procedure?
One of the key differences between a regular dental implant and an All-on dental implant program is that an All-on dental implant is faster and less invasive to implant. When considering it, there are three main tooth materials to choose from:
Acrylic
With acrylic dental implants, a bar (usually made up of titanium) connects the implants into one. This method of implant placement is best for people who have no known habit to clench or grind their teeth. The least expensive from the bunch, this type of dental implant is also the easiest to fix and has a much natural feel to it.
Porcelain
These implants are designed much like traditional crowns and bridges, as a result, tend to last longer than the others. An added benefit with these All-on implants is that these look good for a much longer period than do the other products and can also be customized to a large extent.
Zirconia
Recently, a new implant material has taken the market by storm. Zirconium dental implants are strong and durable but that’s not all. They look stunning and can be customized well to fit your desires and needs.
How Much Does an All-on-4 Cost?
| "All-on-4" Price Table | |
|---|---|
| Country | Price |
| United States | $24,500 |
| Mexico | $7,790 |
| Costa Rica | $7,500 |
| Colombia | $7,940 |
Price based on internal data from patient estimates and prices offered within Apollo Medical Travel’s network of providers.
What is the Procedure to Get All-on Dental Implants?
All-on dental implant placement is a minor surgery, usually, an outpatient surgery performed in stages. Healing time in between the procedures is also anticipated. Patients typically require two 1-week visits, each consisting of several appointments, 4-6 months apart. The process of placing All-on dental implants involves the following steps:
Initial Assessment
A dentist takes a 3D dental tomography or a Dental Cone Beam CT Scan of the dental arches to determine whether or not bone graft, tooth extractions, or sinus lift augmentation will be necessary.
Implant Placement
Four, six, or eight dental implants are placed into the jawbone, depending on the needs of the patient. A provisional or temporary prosthesis will be placed right away to help the patient eat and talk while they wait for the implant sites to heal.
Healing Process
The healing period takes four to six months, in which time the implants would integrate with your jaw bone to create a solid and firm connection.
Placement of the Final Prosthetic
A permanent solution such as a dental bridge or a removable overdenture is attached once the surgical site has healed. The procedure takes anywhere from two to four hours to complete.
Final Steps
Following the procedure, your mouth will be healing and you will have to exercise caution when eating hard or chewy foods.
Any swelling or discomfort that follows after the procedure will subside in a few weeks. If they persist, the patient should contact their dentist.
Why Do I Have to Wait 4-6 Months Before Getting My Permanent Prosthetic?
Once the metal implant post is placed in your jawbone, the process of osseointegration begins. The goal here is to have the implant fuse with your bone to acquire additional strength and anchorage. During this healing time, the jawbone grows around the dental implant until the implant has fully been engulfed by the bone.
This process can take several months but is necessary to provide a solid base for your new artificial tooth. The implants act as your natural teeth roots and stabilize the bridge and denture that is to be placed on them.
What Are My Other Options For Replacing Missing Teeth?
Dental Implants
Single dental implants are great options for people who are missing only a few teeth. With a success rate of 95%, dental implants are some of the most reliable dental inventions in today’s restorative market.
Dentures
Going the simpler route, dentures can replace your teeth with ease. Low maintenance and affordable, dentures can be great for people who are willing to be a little forgiving, aesthetic-wise.
Dental Crowns and Bridges
If you want to restore a damaged tooth or to replace missing ones, dental crowns and bridges can be brilliant at doing so. By seeking support from adjacent teeth, they can firmly equip your mouth for your daily chewing!
Additional Resources
Sources
- Weinstein R, Agliardi E, Fabbro MD, et al. Immediate rehabilitation of the extremely atrophic mandible with fixed full-prosthesis supported by four implants. Clin Implant Dent Relat Res 2012;14(3):434-441.
Read on PubMed - Babbush CA. Posttreatment quantification of patient experiences with full-arch implant treatment using a modification of the OHIP-14 questionnaire. J Oral Implantol 2012;38(3):251-260.
Read on PubMed - Maló P, de Araújo Nobre M, Lopes A, et al. The All-on-4 treatment concept for the rehabilitation of the completely edentulous mandible: A longitudinal study with 10 to 18 years of follow-up. Clin Implant Dent Relat Res 2019; doi: 10.1111/cid.127692019.
Read on PubMed
This article is intended for informational purposes only. It is not meant to be used as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with any questions you have surrounding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it as a result of anything you read on this Site.
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