All-on-4 Dental Implants

All-on-4 Implants Whittier, CA

If you’re fully edentulous, you may like the idea of investing in implant-retained dentures but cringe at the cost estimate.

Thankfully, innovations in dental replacement options have made an exciting new alternative available: All-on-4 dental implants. The technique involves implanting four implants into the bone and using them to anchor your dentures.

What Are Dental Implants?

A dental implant is a replacement for a lost tooth. When a tooth is extracted, it leaves a space above and below the gumline. If the missing tooth is not replaced, the adjacent teeth will start to shift, which can cause:

  • Bite misalignment
  • Cracked or broken teeth
  • Jaw discomfort
  • Headaches
  • TMJ disorder

Additionally, the bone will start to recede because the teeth act as an anchor.

An implant acts like a real tooth. The implant screw is placed into the bone and serves as the root of the tooth. A dental crown fits over the implant abutment. Once in place, an implant looks, feels, and functions like a real tooth. It helps keep the gums, bone, and adjacent teeth healthy. Plus, it makes eating much easier, too.

All-on-4 Dental Implants Whittier CA
All-on-4 Implants Whittier CA

What Are Implant-Supported Dentures?

Another way to use dental implants is to support dentures. In these cases, multiple implants are placed into the jawbone. Then, the denture has small openings that fit over the implants and snap into place.

There are multiple types of implant-supported dentures. Some patients choose the All-on-4 option, while others choose to invest in six or more implants to support their denture. Another option is a bar-attached implant denture. The implants are connected with a metal bar, which the denture attaches to.

WHY ARE DENTAL IMPLANTS IDEAL FOR EDENTULOUS PATIENTS?

While we can make traditional complete dentures that are both beautiful and natural-looking, many of our patients prefer the idea of implant-retained dentures. We are inclined to agree with them for three very important reasons.

1. Implants Keep the Jawbone Healthy

The teeth are anchors for the jawbone. If the teeth are missing, the jawbone will slowly and steadily start to recede.

This is the main reason why edentulous patients experience fit issues with their dentures. Over time, the jawbone shrinks, and the dentures no longer fit properly. They become loose and slip easily. Patients need to start using adhesive to make their dentures more secure. Eventually, they will need to invest in having their dentures relined or replaced.

While this is happening, the jawbone gets thinner and thinner, changing the patient’s facial structure. They even become susceptible to jaw fracture.

When implants are placed, the jawbone and implant integrate and form a support system of sorts. The jawbone stays thick, strong, and healthy.

2. Increased Patient Confidence

When a patient has an ill-fitting denture, they can experience embarrassment and low self-confidence. They’re embarrassed to eat – or even speak – in front of others, worried that their denture might slip or come out. Additionally, as their jawbone recedes, they may dislike the changes to their facial structure and appearance.

Implant dentures in Whittier help patients avoid these eventualities while giving them peace of mind and increasing their confidence.

3. Better-Fitting Dentures Help the Process of Digestion

Digestion starts in the mouth. Ill-fitting dentures impede a person’s ability to chew foods well, not only because the dentures slip but also because they can cause gum sores. Implants provide stability that makes it easier to chew foods that are crunchy, like nutrient-dense foods such as fruits and vegetables.

All-on-4 Implants Whittier CA
All-on-4 Dental Implants Whittier CA

How Do All-on-4 Dental Implants Work?

You do not need an implant to replace every single missing tooth. All you need are precisely placed implants. Four implants placed in your upper or lower jaw (or both if you’re fully edentulous) can provide enough stability to support a full denture.

The rear implants are placed at a 30–45 degree angle, which reduces the need for augmentation. Even patients who have experienced some bone loss may, therefore, be eligible for All-on-4 dentures.

Another perk of this procedure is that it can often be done on the same day. Traditional implant dentures can take at least six months from start to finish. However, with the All-on-4 treatment, your dentist and lab technician work closely together to give you “teeth in a day.”

Other benefits of All-on-4 dentures in Whittier include:

  • Shorter treatment time
  • Less recovery time
  • Dentures are comfortable
  • Stability
  • Dentures are fixed, so you don’t need to remove them to clean them and don’t have to worry about them coming out while eating or speaking
  • They’re a more affordable option than traditional implant dentures

Maintain Your Confidence with All-on-4 Implants in Whittier

If you need dentures or want to upgrade from your current traditional dentures, we invite you to talk to Dr. Omid for an All-on-4 implant consultation. He’ll answer all your questions, explain the pros and cons, and determine whether you’re a good candidate for this dental procedure.

Would you like more information about implant-supported dentures, like All-on-4 Dental Implants? Contact us today to learn more.

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