All-On-4 Dental Implants:
A Guide for the Procedure & Recovery
To understand what an All-On-4 dental implant is, you first need to know what a dental implant is. A dental implant is a small screw, usually made of titanium, that is inserted into your jawbone in the space left by a missing or damaged tooth. Once the implant is placed in your mouth, your dentist will attach a fake tooth (crown) to the screw.
An All-On-4 implant uses the same concept but for your entire mouth by making four anchor points on each jaw instead of each missing tooth. Then, your dentist can attach a denture to the anchor points for a restored set of teeth.
What Can I Expect from the All-On-4 Procedure?
First, your dentist will want to make sure you’re comfortable, so either local or general anesthesia will be administered.
Second, the dentist or surgeon will prepare your mouth for the implants, which involves removing any remaining teeth that are failing. They will then remove any diseased or infected tissue from your jaw and gums. If not enough bone is present – bone grafting may be needed to ensure the implants have a solid foundation.
Next, they will begin the implant process. This means the dentist will insert the titanium screws into your jawbone. Most likely, they will place two implants toward the front of your mouth and two towards the back of your mouth so the “anchors” can evenly hold the denture.
After the implants have been placed, they will thoroughly clean the surgical sites and suturing all the incisions. Then you’ll be taken to a recovery room where you can relax and take time to wake up from the anesthesia.
How Will Recovery Usually Go and How Long Will It Take?
The recovery time after getting traditional dentures can range from 3 to 8 months, but after getting an All-On-4 denture, you should be functioning sooner. The reason is because the implants fuse to your bone and promote stability of the denture from the very first day.
To promote a faster recovery, here are some helpful points you should know with All-On-4 and some problems you may face along the way.
When you go home from surgery, make sure you don’t do anything that would disturb the tender areas. Do not rinse or touch the surgical areas, except for gentle brushing with a soft toothbrush. And, smoking afterwards is a very bad idea if
you want the surgical spots to heal well.
Although you should be extra gentle, it’s also important to keep your mouth as clean as possible. Your dentist will likely prescribe a medicated rinse to keep the bacterial load down in your mouth and help promote healing.
Conclusion
In summary, the All-On-4 dental implant procedure can be a faster and more effective way to receive multiple dental implants. At Axiom our All-On-4 patients have been very happy with the results of their implants and assert that their quality of life is improved along with the look of their smile.
For more information on All-On-4 Implants, Axiom Dental invites you to contact our Las Vegas office today and speak with a trained dental professional about how All-On-4 dental implants can give you a whole new smile.