All-on-4 Dental Implants at Linworth Family Dental

If you’re missing an entire arch of teeth, the All-on-4 implant procedure offers an innovative and efficient way to restore both your smile and full mouth functionality. At Linworth Family Dental, we provide this advanced restorative dentistry option to help you regain confidence, enjoy a better quality of life, and achieve optimal oral health with permanent, natural-looking teeth.

What Is the All-on-4 Dental Implant Procedure?

The All-on-4 dental implant technique is a specialized procedure that uses four dental implants to support a full-arch bridge, which replaces an entire set of upper or lower teeth. These implants are titanium screws surgically placed into the jawbone, serving as artificial tooth roots. Over time, the bone fuses with the implants, providing a strong and permanent foundation for the bridge.

This procedure offers a stable, long-term solution for patients who are missing most or all of their teeth, and it prevents the jawbone deterioration that can occur with traditional dentures. The full-arch bridge attached to the implants looks, feels, and functions like natural teeth, providing you with a lifelong, secure smile.

How Does the All-on-4 Procedure Work?

The All-on-4 technique is designed to support a full-arch bridge with just four implants, strategically placed to maximize support and strength. Here's a breakdown of the process:

• Implant Placement: Four implants are surgically inserted into the jawbone, with two implants placed at an angle in the back for added stability.
• Healing Period: Over a few months, the implants integrate with the bone through a process called osseointegration, creating a secure foundation.
• Attaching the Full-Arch Bridge: Once the implants have healed, a custom-made full-arch bridge is attached to the implants, restoring your smile with a natural appearance.

This minimally invasive approach uses fewer implants compared to traditional full-arch implant bridges, which can require up to eight implants.

Benefits of All-on-4 Dental Implants

Patients who choose the All-on-4 procedure experience a variety of benefits, including:

• Permanent solution: Unlike removable dentures, All-on-4 implants offer a fixed, lifelong solution that doesn’t slip or move.
• Improved oral health: Implants prevent bone loss and preserve the natural structure of your jaw and face, which can deteriorate over time without tooth roots.
• Full smile restoration: Achieve a natural-looking, fully functional smile that feels just like your real teeth.
• Reduced treatment time: The All-on-4 technique uses fewer implants, making the procedure less invasive and reducing healing time compared to other implant-supported options.

Who Is a Candidate for All-on-4?

All-on-4 implants are ideal for patients who are missing an entire set of teeth or need to have multiple teeth extracted due to damage or decay. It's also a great option for patients who want a permanent alternative to traditional dentures. To be a candidate for All-on-4, patients should have:

• Healthy gums
• Adequate jawbone density to support the implants (in some cases, bone grafting may be required)
• A commitment to maintaining proper oral hygiene

During your consultation, one of our experienced dentists, Dr. Whittaker, Dr. Glasgow, or Dr. Soungpradith, will assess your oral health and determine whether All-on-4 is the right solution for you.

How All-on-4 Compares to Other Tooth Replacement Options

At Linworth Family Dental, we offer a variety of tooth replacement options to meet the unique needs of each patient. Here’s how All-on-4 compares to other popular restorations:

• Single Tooth Implants: Best for patients missing only one tooth, these involve a single implant and crown.
• Traditional Bridges: Use surrounding teeth to support a bridge, ideal for filling a gap of two or three missing teeth.
• Removable Dentures: A removable option for replacing a full arch, though less stable than implants.
• Implant-Supported Dentures: Use several implants to secure a denture in place. Unlike All-on-4, this option includes false gums and may require up to eight implants.

With All-on-4, patients benefit from a permanent solution without the need for additional false gums, offering a streamlined approach to full-arch restoration.

The All-on-4 Process at Linworth Family Dental

At Linworth Family Dental, we are committed to providing comfortable, high-quality care throughout your entire All-on-4 process. Here’s what you can expect:

1. Consultation: We begin with a comprehensive consultation where one of our dentists will evaluate your oral health and discuss your goals. This is a great opportunity to compare All-on-4 with other options like implant-supported dentures.
2. Treatment Planning: We’ll create a personalized treatment plan, including detailed information about the procedure and post-operative care.
3. Surgery and Recovery: The implants are placed during a minimally invasive surgical procedure. Most patients recover within a few days to a week, with full healing taking place over a few months.
4. Attaching Your New Smile: Once your implants have integrated with the bone, your custom full-arch bridge will be securely attached, restoring your smile to its full brilliance.