No matter how confident you are by nature, having a few missing or damaged teeth can really shake your confidence levels. In addition to this, dental issues can also affect the overall functionality of your mouth, especially when eating and speaking become difficult.
Fortunately, broken or damaged teeth can easily be replaced with a few all-on-4 dental implants that are recommended for missing teeth on the same arch. If your prosthodontist has recommended this procedure, you may be in the process of preparing your mouth for the treatment. This post takes a look at a few key tips that will help get you started.
All-On-4 Dental Procedure Simplified
Essentially, “all-on-4 dental implants” is a dental process where a complete arch (teeth next to each other on the same side) of teeth is replaced by inserting four titanium posts or implants. Once this is done, a bridge of crowns is placed on the posts. These then form the basis for your new teeth.
An all-on-4 procedure is primarily used for individuals with severely broken, missing, decayed or damaged teeth. Typically, you can expect the following steps in the procedure:
- Step 1: Your prosthodontist will do a thorough assessment of your teeth, bone density and overall health, as you will need to undergo surgery.
- Step 2: Two of the titanium anterior implants are then inserted into the axial direction. The two posterior implants are screwed into position. You will need strong gum bones for the implant to work.
- Step 3: When the implants heal, a temporary bridge is inserted across the implants.
- Step 4: Porcelain teeth are gently attached to the bridge.
- Step 5: This covers several gaps at once, with titanium posts giving each bridge plate secure support.
- Step 6: Specialised care must be taken with oral care and foods eaten to ensure that the implants can settle. Avoid hard foods and vigorous brushing. Visit your prosthodontist for regular checkups.
Preparation is Key
As with any other procedure, several tips and guidelines will help you prepare for the surgery and subsequent healing. Here’s what we recommend.
1. Discuss Your General Medical History
It’s imperative to highlight that not every individual who needs an all-on-4 will qualify for it. This is because existing medical conditions such as hypertension and diabetes may interfere with your body’s ability to heal after the surgery.
Some medications may also contradict the ones you’ll be given after the procedure. This means that our first tip is to be upfront with your prosthodontist about your current and past medical history. This enables them to assess whether you qualify for the surgery.
2. Get Rid of Your Tobacco Products
A key part of an all-on-4 procedure is that you give up any tobacco products. The primary reason for this has to do with nicotine and other harmful chemicals found in cigarettes, which weaken the bones in your gums. This makes it difficult for the implant to fuse with the bone and can lead to eventual implant failure.
In addition to this, there’s also a bigger risk of infection and gum disease. Typically, your prosthodontist will advise you to stop smoking at least two weeks before your first procedure. If you’ve been smoking for the bulk of your life, your gum bones may already be compromised, which can jeopardise the treatment.
3. Expect an Overall Assessment of Your Gum and Bone Health
The All-on-4 procedure involves placing the implants directly into the bones found in your gums. With this in mind, your bone health will need to be assessed. Individuals with inadequate bone structure will need to undergo a basic bone graft procedure.
It typically takes an average of four months for a bone graft to fuse with your jaw or maxillary bone. If you’re going to need this, your implants will be delayed until this has successfully healed. Be sure to discuss the necessity for this, as it may require you to schedule additional time off work.
4. Expect a Slow Healing Process
After surgery, the posts can take about three to six months to effectively fuse with the bone. The fusing process is commonly referred to as osseointegration and will require you to wear temporary dentures until the implants are ready to support your new, permanent teeth.
In short, the entire process will take about 12 months to finalise if you need a bone graft. However, it’s essential to point out that healing is different for each individual and will also depend on your existing oral health.
Final Thoughts
Replacing several teeth on a single arch is made much simpler with an all-on-4 dental implant procedure. Proper preparation is key to having successful results that will last for years with little to no complications.
Use the tips we’ve shared, combined with those recommended by your prosthodontist, to ensure that you prepare your mouth in the best way possible. After a few successful sessions, you’ll have improved functionality of your mouth, and your shiny new smile will be drastically improved!
