For the estimated 120 million people in the U.S. missing one or more teeth, dental implants can be the solution for restoring their beautiful smile. If you are one of the 35 million people looking for a full-mouth reconstruction, all-on-4 dental implants may be a good choice for you. Here’s what you should know about this dental restoration procedure.
What are all-on-4 dental implants?
To start, dental implants use titanium posts and screws to attach one or more dental crowns directly to your jaw. The post is surgically placed directly into the jawbone, and the replacement teeth are snapped onto that.
All-on-4 dental implants replace an entire set of teeth with just four titanium posts. These posts are spaced along the jawbone for stability and its continued health.
When you have all-on-4-implants, the result not only looks like your natural teeth: they also function and feel like natural teeth.
What are the benefits of all-on-4 dental implants?
As mentioned above, all-on-4 implants look and feel like natural teeth. These types of dental restorations will not fall out or shift around as you go about your day. They are stable and sturdy, two factors that are crucial for feeling confident with your restored smile.
Also, unlike traditional dental implants that require two surgeries and long healing times, all-on-4 implants can be placed in just one surgery in one day with minimal healing times.
Another major benefit is that dental implants can actually improve the health of your jawbone. When tooth loss occurs, the jawbone is resorbed into the tissues of the mouth. This happens fairly rapidly and can result in the appearance of sunken cheeks. However, the pressure of all-on-4-implants in the jawbone stimulates bone growth and can make your jawbone stronger every day.
Patients with remaining healthy jawbone are the best candidates for all-on-4 implants. It’s important to discuss your medical history and other health concerns with your dentist to make sure they are the best option for your full-mouth dental restoration.
What should I expect with an all-on-4 dental implants procedure?
The all-on-4 dental implants procedure starts with preparing your mouth. Your dentist will assess your oral health and treat any underlying issues before the surgery. They will also make sure that you have the remaining jawbone to support all-on-4 implants.
Once this is done, the procedure is most often completed under general anesthesia to ensure your comfort. Your dentist will place the titanium posts. There are usually two towards the front of the mouth and two towards the back for even weight bearing. Then, they’ll attach the implant.
The final step is to suture the surgical site and thoroughly clean the area. The whole procedure takes about two hours per arch of teeth (although this time depends greatly on each individual patient).
While this might seem like an extensive surgery, consider that traditional implants require two surgeries, each with a long healing time in between. In many cases, all-on-4 implants can be placed that day.
Recovery after surgery
The all-on-4 dental implants recovery time varies depending on each patient. Some patients feel completely comfortable with their new implants after just a few weeks, while others need more time to heal. Either way, taking good care of yourself after your surgery can speed your recovery.
On the day of your surgery, do not plan to drive or return to work. Follow all of your dentist’s orders, but in general, take it easy and rest. You will be sent home with gauze packs to slow and then stop the bleeding. After the first hour, these packs should be replaced every 30 to 45 minutes.
Do not do anything that would harm the surgical site. This includes:
- Swishing or rinsing the mouth vigorously
- Smoking
- Harsh tooth brushing
- Sucking through a straw
The day after surgery, a saltwater rinse, two or three times a day, can be soothing and healing.
Aftercare
If you experience post-surgical pain and have a prescription for pain medication, take it only as directed by your dentist. You may be able to take over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., ibuprofen) for pain relief if it persists. Ice packs on the cheeks can also help ease swelling and provide comfort as well.
Other things to avoid in the week following surgery include:
- Vigorous exercise
- Bending over
- Lifting heavy objects
- Smoking
Take care as you begin to eat with your new implants. Soft, nourishing foods are the best option in the weeks following your surgery. These include soup, tofu, scrambled eggs, smoothies, and soft pasta. Spicy, heavily salted, or very hot food can irritate your healing gums, so take care and incorporate these only after you heal.
You may notice that you have dry lips and a sore throat, or stiff jaw muscles after the procedure. This will pass after a few days and can be treated with over-the-counter remedies (e.g., lip moisturizers and ibuprofen).
If you experience sharp sensations in the gums, you may have small bone fragments making their way out of the surgical site. This is normal but can be alarming. Talk to your dentist if you are troubled by this or they cause pain.
If you experience fever, excessive bleeding, increased pain after a few days, discharge from the surgical site, or just feel unwell, contact your dentist as these could be signs of infection.
How long do all-on-4 implants last?
All-on-4 implants improve the health of your jawbone and are stable on the gums. Because of this, they can last 20 years or more with proper care.
Your dentist will teach you how to properly clean your all-on-4 dental implants, but in general, care for them as you would your natural teeth. Brush well, floss daily, and visit your dentist twice yearly for checkups and deep cleaning as needed.
Still have questions about all-on-4 implants? Want to see if they’re a good option for you? Get in touch with the caring dentists at AZ Dentist. With locations across the Phoenix Valley, we can help restore your beautiful smile.