All-On-4 – Carrollton, TX
Four Dental Implants Can Create One Amazing Smile
Dental implants are widely considered to be the best way to replace missing teeth by both patients and dentists alike. They can be used to restore any number of teeth, including an entire arch! However, a patient needs to have adequate jawbone density for dental implant treatment to be successful. This is usually a problem for patients with extensive tooth loss, but it doesn’t mean you can’t get a brand-new smile! At DD Family Dentistry of Carrollton, we offer All-On-4 dental implants as an alternative to implant dentures. With this unique procedure, four dental implants can create one amazing smile! Give us a call today to learn more and schedule your consultation.
Why Choose DD Family Dentistry of Carrollton For All-On-4?
- Surgery & Denture Placement Can Usually Be Performed in One Day
- Entire Treatment Completed Under the Same Roof
- Membership Savings Plan & Flexible Financing Options Available
What Are All-On-4 Dental Implants?
All-on-4, as is implied by the name, is a full arch tooth replacement prosthetic that is supported by just four dental implant posts. Unlike traditional dental implant dentures that require support from implant posts placed along the entire width of the jawline, the All-on-4 system uses the denser portions of the jawbone at the front of the mouth to support the entire denture.
What Are the Benefits of All-On-4 Dental Implants?
There are many benefits to All-on-4 implant denture treatments, including:
- Typically, there’s no need for bone or soft tissue grafting
- Fewer implant posts needed saves you money
- Faster healing and implantation time than traditional implant dentures
- The less invasive placement procedures makes more patients eligible for treatment
Who Is a Candidate for All-On-4 Dental Implants
One of the benefits of All-on-4 treatment is that more patients than ever before are eligible for tooth replacement with implant supported restorations. However, before you begin an All-on-4 treatment plan, there are some things you should keep in mind. This tooth replacement solution still requires that patients be in relatively good overall health. If your doctor does not think you are healthy enough for even a minor surgical procedure, you struggle with immune compromising illness, or you take certain medications, you may not be a good candidate. If you have had negative surgical experiences in the past, dental implant tooth replacement options may not be right for you. If you don’t have the ability to devote the time or money to completing this extended treatment process, a less complex tooth replacement solution may be better for you.
The DD Family Dentistry of Carrollton team is dedicated to helping patients prepare for and successfully complete All-on-4 treatment. Please feel free to talk to us about any of the above concerns. They don’t necessarily mean you are not a candidate for this tooth replacement option. We may just need to make adjustments in our treatment planning process to accommodate your needs.
What Should I Expect During the Treatment Process?
For the most part, the All-on-4 denture process works like traditional dental implant denture treatment. The main difference in the treatment plan is in the unique positioning of the implant posts. During your dental implant placement procedure, we’ll insert two implant posts vertically to support the front of the denture. The other two implants are placed diagonally from the back of the mouth to front, supporting the back half of your denture. For some patients, we can immediately attach a lightweight, temporary denture on the same day your implants are placed. For patients with significantly diminished gum tissue or jawbone density, we will need to wait three to six months for the implants to fuse with the supportive structures. In the meantime, you may be able to use a traditional removable denture.
How Do I Care for My All-On-4 Dental Implants?
Following the placement of your All-on-4 dental implants, you can brush teeth as usual, using a minimally abrasive toothpaste and soft toothbrush. You should brush for two minutes at a time at least twice a day, and for best results, we encourage patients to brush between meals as well. While you won’t be able to floss your All-on-4 denture, you may still want to use specialized flossing tools or water flossers to remove plaque buildup between the denture base and the gums. When this plaque is not removed daily, it can harden into tartar (calculus). Over time, this acidic plaque and tartar can damage your gums and cause the implants to come loose. During your treatment planning process or any dental exam, one of our knowledgeable dentistry team members will be happy to demonstrate proper brushing and flossing techniques for your All-on-4 denture to help you keep your smile healthy.
Patients with All-on-4 dentures also need to visit our office at least twice a year for exams and cleanings. For some patients, we may recommend more frequent checkups for the first few years after completing treatment to ensure the implant posts remain fully implanted and the dentures are functioning flawlessly. If your All-on-4 prosthetic ever feels loose or your bite doesn’t seem to fit together the same way, please call our team right away. In some cases, we are able to make minor adjustments to help you save a damaged or failing All-on-4 denture, but the sooner we see you – the better.