In the event that a patient loses all their teeth, what options are available to them? Our team at Advanced Family Dentistry and Dr. David Taler are proud to offer the unique All-on-4 type of implants: a full arch teeth replacement that can be placed quickly and last for years to come. Let’s take a closer look.
What is All-on-4?
All-on-4 looks similar to a denture, only it has the added benefit of having the support of dental implant fixtures. Four to six implant fixtures are placed in the jawbone, and the denture is affixed on top of them and is permanently placed. Compared to traditional dentures, All-on-4 is more secure, applies a stronger bite, and can last for many years to come (with proper care and maintenance).
All-on-4 is best for patients who have lost, or are at risk for losing, all their teeth in one arch of their smile. Most patients find this treatment preferable because it’s much easier to maintain than traditional dentures, along with looking and feeling more natural.
How Do They Compare to Dentures?
All-on-4 share many similarities in shape and build, but they differ in other qualities. Traditional dentures are removable and often only secured with an adhesive paste. Dentures also require daily cleanings and most likely an overnight soak in a cleaning solution. As the denture ages, it will start to experience standard wear and tear, making the denture feel ill-fitting, or become loose while speaking or eating.
But when comparing to All-on-4, there are some stark differences. All-on-4 may look like a denture, but it’s not supported in the same way at all. On the All-on-4 denture, there are spots for it to be secured using dental implant fixtures. After Dr. Taler has determined how many implant fixtures you need, the fixtures will be placed, and then the denture will be put in place and secured. Then you’re finished, and can start enjoying the benefits of All-on-4 right away. All-on-4 can be cared for in the same way that you do with your natural teeth, by simply using toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss. You don’t need to remove them to clean them; just brush them right there in your smile.
Qualifying for All-on-4
As stated above, All-on-4 is best for patients who are missing a whole arch of teeth or are at risk for losing all their teeth in a single arch. To determine if you’re a candidate for All-on-4, schedule a consultation with Dr. Taler here in Fishers, IN. During this consultation, you’ll meet one-on-one with Dr. Taler, who will examine your oral health and take diagnostics to determine if your mouth is healthy enough for All-on-4. Another factor that is taken into account is bone volume: if the patient has very low bone volume in their jaw, it may not bode well for the All-on-4 to come. But so long as the patient is prepared and is overall healthy enough for the procedure, than Dr. Taler may recommend All-on-4 for their missing teeth.
Contact Us in Fishers, IN for All-on-4
Curious if you qualify for All-on-4? The best way to find out is to contact us at Advanced Family Dentistry and schedule a chat and exam with Dr. Taler. All-on-4 has helped many patients regain their confidence in their smile, along with looking and feeling younger.
