What Should I Expect During the All-on-4® Procedure?
Once you are determined to be a good candidate for the All-on-4® treatment concept, you can begin the first stage of the process: placement of the dental implants. During this step, our experienced periodontist will surgically place two implants into the jawbone towards the front of the mouth and the final two implants towards the back of the mouth at an angle. By tilting the posterior implants up to 45 degrees, this helps maximize the titanium posts’ contact with the available jawbone. As a result, there is a higher success rate of the implants fusing with the jawbone, creating the solid foundation on which your final denture prosthesis will be attached.
Depending on your unique oral needs, you may be recommended one of the following All-on-4® methods:
- Upper Arch or Lower Arch Replacement: When only one arch of teeth has several missing or severely damaged teeth, you can obtain a new set of teeth to restore this arch.
- Full Mouth Restoration: If you require a full mouth teeth replacement, All-on-4® implant dentures can be designed for both your upper and lower arches of teeth.
In some cases, more than four implants may be used to create the best possible outcome. For example, some patients are better suited for six implants to support each denture. This is commonly referred to as “All-on-6.”
What Can I Expect for the All-on-4® Recovery Period?
After implant surgery, the healing period generally takes one week. Although it will take several months for your implants to fuse with the jawbone, most patients feel well enough to resume their normal routines within a few days. Not all patients take time off from work, but we may suggest staying home for a couple of days if your job involves strenuous or demanding activity. Our team may also advise you to avoid exercise for a certain period of time while your mouth heals. A friend or loved one will have to pick you up from our office after the All-on-4® procedure since the anesthesia may have lingering effects. Rest assured that Dr. Oelbaum and our periodontist will go over all aftercare instructions with you to help facilitate a smooth recovery period.
How Long Do All-on-4® Results Last?
All-on-4® is designed to be a permanent solution for an entire row of missing teeth, as your dental implants are surgically fused to the underlying bone structure. However, the lifespan of implants is similar to the longevity of natural teeth — meaning poor oral hygiene, smoking, infections, and a lack of dental care may cause your implants to deteriorate just like your enamel. The best way to maximize how long All-on-4® results last is to take good care of your teeth and oral health. There are many measures patients can take to get the most out of their restorations, including:
- Consistent dental hygiene, including brushing and flossing your teeth twice daily
- Not smoking during and after the implant process, as smoking can be a primary cause of implant failure
- Attending your regular appointments so our implant dentist can monitor for potential dental issues
- Wearing a night guard if you tend to clench and grind your teeth while asleep
With excellent care, All-on-4® implants can last many decades and beyond. Our dentists would be happy to speak with you more about what you can expect from the results of implant dentures.