Having several missing teeth or losing an entire set of teeth can cause bigger problems than your appearance, however—chewing food can be difficult if not impossible, and speaking can become problematic as well.

Fortunately, there are options to replace your missing teeth. Two of these are all-on-four dental implants and dentures. Let’s review the pros and cons of each of these restorative options!

Benefits of Going with All-on-Four Dental Implants

A single dental implant is designed to replace a missing natural tooth. But with all-on-four dental implants, you can replace an entire mouthful of teeth with just four dental implants.

Here’s how it works: between four and six dental implants are strategically placed in your mouth and allowed to heal, or in other words, fuse with your jawbone. Then, a restoration is placed, which is essentially a replica of your teeth that securely attaches to the implants. The results is a realistic, sturdy, and functional replacement to your natural teeth. Many patients are highly satisfied with the results of their all-on-four implants [1]!

Why Dentures Might Be a Good Fit

Dentures are cost-effective solutions to your missing teeth and can last several years with the right care [2]. Generally, dentures will need to be replaced every few years to ensure a comfortable fit.

Most dentures are designed to fit so that they create a seal with your gums, while some patients find adhesive is helpful to keeping dentures in place—they don’t “attach” to anything except your gum tissue. While dentures will stimulate your jaw somewhat, they won’t prevent the loss of jawbone the same way dental implants will.

However, with dentures, you won’t have to worry about having enough bone in your jaw to support a dental implant, which can be a concern for some people who have been missing teeth for quite some time.

What’s the Verdict?

Both all-on-four implants and dentures allow you to get a set of replacement teeth quickly. However, with all-on-four implants, you’ll need to follow a specific diet for a few months with a temporary restoration while your dental implants heal. Then, your permanent restoration can be placed [3].

So while both can offer a functional replacement for your missing teeth, many patients view all-on-four dental implants as more of an investment. Why?

Dental implants never need to be replaced, unlike dentures. They also provide a more secure option, as your artificial set of teeth will attach onto the implants, allowing you to eat whatever you like once your final restoration is in place. And finally, dental implants facilitate jawbone growth, allowing you to prevent a sunken facial appearance upon removing your dentures.

Regardless of which replacement you choose for your natural teeth, the right dental restoration can allow you to chew, speak, and smile with ease, giving you the ability to enjoy your teeth again!

Sources:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4253293/
2. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dentures/
3. https://www.aaid-implant.org/dental-implants/types-of-implants-and-techniques/

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When you’re missing one or two natural teeth, you may opt for a dental implant to replace each tooth. However, if you’re missing all of your natural teeth, you don’t have to get a dental implant to replace every single tooth.

With All-on-Four dental implants, you could get a full set of teeth on the top or bottom row with just a few dental implants which will anchor a permanent set of custom-made teeth in place. But how do you know if you qualify for dental implants?

You Need to Have Enough Bone in Your Jaw

Similarly to getting a single dental implant, you’ll need to have enough bone in your jaw to support the four dental implants to qualify for the procedure. Once your dental implants are placed, they’ll begin to generate new jawbone and prevent further deterioration of your existing jawbone [1].

Even if you don’t have enough bone density in your jaw to support a dental implant, you may still qualify for a bone graft. A bone graft will help build up the existing bone in your jaw in order for your dentist to securely place your dental implants.

You Must Be Missing All Your Natural Teeth

All-on-Four dental implants provide a way for patients who are missing all of their natural teeth to replace them for a lower cost and high level of satisfaction [2]. You must be missing all the teeth on either your upper or lower jaw to qualify for the All-on-Four dental implant procedure. If you’re only missing a few of your natural teeth, you may have to consider individual implants or an implant-supported bridge to restore your smile.

You Must Have Good Oral Health

In order to qualify for any type of dental implant procedure, you must have good oral health. This means that if you have cavities or gum disease, you’ll need to receive treatment for these before getting your dental implant procedure.

The best candidates for All-on-Four dental implants are those that are missing their natural teeth but have healthy gum tissue [3]. During your consultation for dental implants, you can talk with your dentist more about your oral health and your candidacy for the procedure.

Is It Time to Consider All-on-Four Dental Implants?

If you’ve been missing all of your teeth and you want a replacement that feels a bit more secure than dentures, All-on-Four dental implants could be for you. Schedule a consultation with your dentist today to learn more about your options for replacing missing teeth with All-on-Four dental implants!

Sources:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5347302/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4253293/
3. https://www.perio.org/consumer/dental-implants

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There are different types of dental implants that you and your dentist can discuss. Your candidacy for dental implants will depend on the bone in your jaw, your oral health, and the position of the dental implant in your mouth.

Here are the types of dental implants you might consider with your oral health care professional for replacing your missing teeth.

Endosteal Implants

Endosteal dental implants are the most common type of dental implants. They’re designed for people who have an adequate amount of bone in their jaw and can support a dental implant. Endosteal implants are placed in your jaw bone just like we discussed above. Unless you have any special considerations, these are likely the first type of dental implant your dentist will consider for your smile.

Subperiosteal Implants

This type of dental implant is slightly different than the endosteal option. In subperiosteal dental implants, a frame is replaced on your jaw bone rather than inserted directly into the jaw. This position still allows your gum tissue to heal around it and the frame will become part of your jawbone.

Once the frame is healed and secure, a post is attached and this is where your dental crown will be fixed onto the end. Subperiosteal dental implants are typically reserved for patients who have a weak jawbone and usually aren’t considered for people who can support endosteal implants.

Implant-Supported Dentures

If you’re missing all of your natural teeth, you may want to consider implant-supported dentures. These provide you with an alternative to traditional dentures but eliminate the need for the individual placement of so many dental implants in your mouth.

Sometimes called all-on-four dental implants, implant-supported dentures consist of about four to six dental implants placed in your mouth. These provide secure posts to attach your dentures to, so you won’t have to worry about your dentures sliding around. The implants are secure and they help support bone growth in your jaw.

Mini Dental Implants

Mini dental implants are used for people who don’t have enough bone in their jaw to support a traditional dental implant. This procedure is less invasive because the post is narrower. While it’s also more budget-friendly, mini dental implants are not recommended for people who can support normal dental implants. This is because mini dental implants are less sturdy as their counterparts but still effective teeth replacements, especially for front teeth.

Dental implants are an excellent way to replace your natural teeth. Whether you’ve been missing teeth for years or you just lost your first permanent tooth, visit your dentist for a consultation for dental implants. With different types to suit just about anyone, you can get your smile back and enjoy life again with dental implants!

Image courtesy of interphasesolution at freedigitalphotos.net

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What Are All-on- Four Dental Implants?

All-on- Four dental implants allow you to get only four to six dental implants and get a custom set of teeth that permanently attach to the implants for a beautiful, perfect smile. The cost is lower than getting a full set of dental implants and you’ll be able to enjoy the benefits of dental implants without having to replace all of your teeth with them.

Benefits of All-on- Four Dental Implants

All-on- Four dental implants allow you to take advantage of the benefits that dental implants offer while only getting four or six dental implants. This includes the strength and stability that dental implants give, as they’re anchored securely into your jawbone and they never need to be replaced. With dentures, people often worry about them falling out, sliding around, or appearing uneven in their mouths. None of these are concerns with All-on- Four dental implants, which are secure and fully functional for your smile.

Enjoy eating, smiling, and talking with your beautiful set of teeth securely attached to your dental implants. Dental implants also allow you the benefit of re-growing some of the bone in your jaw, therefore helping to keep your cheeks from appearing sunken from tooth loss and retain a youthful appearance.

All-on-Four dental implants offer you complete functionality, restore your appearance, and allow you to be confident and comfortable with your smile again. All-on- Four dental implants may even be able to be completed in one day if your dentist makes your acrylic teeth replacement in-office.

Who Is a Candidate?

All-on- Four dental implants are meant to permanently replace your missing teeth, so talk with your dentist about whether or not you’d be a candidate for the procedure. You need to have the proper amount of bone in your jaw in order to support the dental implants. It’s also important that your mouth and gum tissue is healthy to maximize your chances of healing after the procedure.

Dental implants offer you a great alternative to dentures, but All-on-Four dental implants can offer you an easier procedure that competes with the security and functionality that dental implants offer. Restore your smile and ask your dentist about All-on-Four dental implants if you’re missing all, or many, of your natural teeth to see if you’d qualify for this procedure!

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There are several different types of dental implants. Individual implants replace one tooth with one implant, and this is a good choice for someone who has just one or two teeth missing. For someone who is edentulous, which means they have no teeth at all, implants would involve the placement of several metal posts that an arch of artificial teeth would then be attached to. One procedure, called All-on-Four, involves only four implants per arch. Full implants usually involve six to eight implants. Mini-implants are a much faster option that under some circumstances can be completely finished in just one appointment.

All of these types of dental implants have crowns (artificial teeth) that are permanently fixed to the implants. This means that unlike dentures, they are not removable and will not slip or shift. You take care of your implants by brushing them the same way you do with natural teeth. There is no need to purchase adhesives, special cleaners or special brushes or cups. While there is no doubt that implants have a higher upfront cost than dentures, remember that with dentures, you will spend the rest of your life repeatedly purchasing cleaners and adhesives, as well as paying for adjustments, relining and replacement dentures.

Getting dental implants is a big step, and before making a decision you should get as much information as you can about different types of implants and the implant procedure that is best for you. If you are in the Washington D.C. and Bethesda area,
contact Prosthetic Dentistry of Washington D.C. to set up an appointment and see if you are a good candidate for implants.

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