Dentures and full dental implants are both viable options when it comes to complete dental restoration. At a first glance, most patients would rather not wear dentures but want to avoid the cost of dental implants. Thanks to modern dentistry, patients have access to a cheaper dental implant option – all on four implants. They are a permanent tooth restoration solution, just like dental implants, but at a lower price!
If you are currently wearing dentures, we understand they serve their purpose but maybe you could get better value for your money. In this article, we discuss everything you need to know about all-on-four dental implants and why you should consider them.
What’s All-on-Four?
All-on-Four is an approach designed to reduce the number of implants needed for full mouth restoration. All-on-Four Implants hold a complete arch of replacement teeth that’s installed at an angle, instead of vertically. Bone loss in your jaws can make it impossible to install dental implants vertically, but fortunately, you may still be a good candidate for all on four dental implants.
Difference Between Full Implants and All-on-Four Implants
Both types use metal implants that are inserted into your jawbone, but the all-on-four technique uses fewer implants. For instance, a set of full implants would require up to 10 implants for each jaw. This can put a strain on your jaw and the rest of your body. Also, full dental implant installation may take up to a year – your jaw needs some healing time between the procedures.
All-on-Four dental implants alleviate the pressure exerted on your body by their counterparts. You can have only four implants per jaw, and they are adequate to support a full set of prosthetic teeth. That’s not all. The entire procedure can be over and done in just one day.
All-on-Four implants are faster to install, and they work even for patients suffering from extreme bone loss. Their similarity to natural teeth is uncanny too.
Difference Between Dentures and All-on-Four Dental Implants
Dentures are a set of artificial teeth complete with gums that are molded to your mouth. The dentures adhere to your gums through suction force instead of being installed permanently. And, you must remove and clean your dentures every night. They are one of the cheapest tooth restoration options.
But, most patients don’t know that their jaw shrinks over time when the roots of their teeth are absent. Consequently, you need to replace your dentures every couple of years to prevent slippage. See that recurring cost?
Dentists also recommend that denture wearers avoid sticky, hard, or tough foods, and you may feel some type of way when chewing or speaking. If you’re looking for more comfortable replacement teeth but can’t get full implants cause of the bone loss or the high cost, all-on-four implants are your next best bet. Since all-on-four implants are installed with implanted roots, your jaw is protected from degeneration. And they have no dietary restrictions.
Advantages of All-on-Four Dental Implants
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Avoid Bone Grafts
While traditional dental implants required some patients to get a bone graft, that isn’t the case with All-on-Four dental implants. A bone graft was required for patients with weak jaw support for the implants or a deteriorating jawbone. All-on-Four implants are placed on four points of the jaw with a denser jawbone, they don’t have to be at a specific location.
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Easy Maintenance
Unlike dentures, all-on-four implants don’t need to be removed for cleaning. You can brush and floss them as you would your natural teeth. And you should be good for a long time with regular dental cleanings and checkups.
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Quick Procedure
You only need a single dentist appointment for your dental implant procedure. The dentist has an outline of how to install each implant to support the entire set of teeth. The procedure only takes a couple of hours.
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Affordability
Tooth replacement is generally expensive no matter the option you choose. But if you’re getting an entire row of teeth replaced, all-on-four implants are way cheaper than traditional implants. Essentially, you pay for 4 implants and a set of artificial teeth.
If you’re tired of paying for new dentures every few years, or you just want teeth that don’t move when you talk or chew, all-on-four dental implants are an excellent consideration. Talk it out with your family dentist so you can make an informed decision.
