Your Guide To the All-On-4 Dental Implant Procedure
Have you decided it’s time to do something about those missing teeth?
If you have more than a few teeth that need replacing, then one treatment option to check out is All-on-4© dental implants.
It’s an implant procedure that uses 4 implants to support an entire bridge of teeth. Because only 4 implants are used, All-On-4 implants usually cost less than traditional implant procedures if you are missing a lot of teeth.
Here we’re going to look at how the All-on-4 dental implant procedure works. This will give you an idea of what to expect if you decide to go the All-on-4 route.
The First All-on-4 Treatment Visit
The first step in the All-on-4 treatment process involves a visit to your cosmetic dentist.
During this first visit you may get x-rays, a 3D CT scan as well as a clinical examination.
This isn’t just for kicks or to run the bill up. There’s an important reason to do it all.
Your cosmetic dentist needs to assess the health of your jawbone. She’ll check for bone loss or other issues and decide whether or not the All-on-4 treatment option is not a good option for you.
If All-on-4 is a good option, the exam will help provide some information to help your cosmetic dentist ensure your All-on-4 treatment is a success.
If it’s full steam ahead with things your dentist will take impressions or molds of your mouth. These are for the lab techs. The techs use these impressions to make the dental bridge that will attach to your implants.
During this first visit, your cosmetic dentist will also discuss the All-on-4 treatment in further detail and make sure all your questions are answered.
Day of the All-on-4 Treatment
On the day you get your new tooth implants, you need to start by getting your mouth ready. You might have a couple of teeth left that should be pulled out. Or maybe, there’s some sick tissue in your gums or jaw that needs to go. It doesn’t sound fun, but it’s better for you!
After handling that, it’s time to put in the implants. The All-on-4 means you’ll get four of them.
Remember, putting in implants is like a small surgery. After they are set in your mouth, you’ll have stitches and your mouth will be cleaned well. This cleaning helps avoid infection and helps your mouth heal the right way.
Once you rest a little, you’ll get a temporary bridge connected to the implants. So, you’ll leave with a full set of teeth! Your dentist will make sure the bridge feels comfy, doesn’t mess with your bite, and fits just right in your mouth.
When you feel happy and good with your new teeth, you’re all set to head home!
Post All-on-4 Treatment Care
After getting your All-on-4 dental implants, you need to take good care of them, and yourself. At first, you should eat foods that are soft and easy to chew. Your dentist might also give you some medicine to help with pain and some other meds to keep away infections and help with swelling.
Then, you have to let your mouth heal. During this time, the implants are getting stuck to your jawbone, making a strong base for your new teeth. You’ll visit your dentist a few times so they can check how things are going and make sure all is looking good with your new implants.
About 3 to 6 months later, your implants should be tightly attached to your jaw. Then you’ll get your final dental bridge. This means you’ll have the full, bright, pretty smile you’ve been waiting for!
If you’re thinking about getting All-on-4 implants and want to know more, the best thing to do is visit a cosmetic dentist near you. They can tell you more about the process and help you decide if All-on-4 implants are worth it for you. Talking to a dentist will help you learn if you’re a good fit for this treatment and answer any questions you might have.
