Thanks to the All-on-4 procedure, you can have an entire row of teeth replaced with a lifelike full denture and just four dental implant posts. This can obviously be an attractive option for many patients who have experienced extensive tooth loss – but is it truly the best choice for you? Before you decide whether to pursue All-on-4, it’s worth taking the time to consider the pros and cons of the treatment.
How Does All-on-4 Work?
All-on-4 involves surgically inserting four dental implant posts into your jaw so that they can act as artificial roots for a full denture. Each post is very carefully positioned to take advantage of the thickest parts of the jawbone, which reduces the need for bone grafting. The posts will eventually form a lasting bond with the bone around them, giving them the necessary strength and stability to support your replacement teeth.
What are the Pros of All-on-4?
There are plenty of reasons why so many people choose All-on-4 to revitalize their smiles. Here are some of the advantages of the procedure:
- All-on-4 has an extremely high success rate. About 94% of cases remain successful after 10 years.
- The recovery process after All-on-4 is relatively short. In many cases, you’ll be able to go back to your normal routine after just three days.
- After your mouth has healed from All-on-4, you’ll be able to eat almost any kind of food without issue.
- All-on-4 makes dental hygiene easy since you can give your new teeth the same care that you would give your natural teeth.
- The implant posts will keep your replacement teeth anchored firmly in place at all times, so they won’t slip when you’re trying to speak.
- Since All-on-4 looks and feels natural, it can give your overall confidence a significant boost.
What are the Cons of All-on-4?
Of course, All-on-4 is not completely without its cons. Here are a few disadvantages that you should be aware of:
- Compared to traditional forms of tooth replacement, All-on-4 can be quite costly (although you can potentially use financing to make paying for it easier).
- When you first have your All-on-4 implants placed, your gums may be somewhat tender for a while. Fortunately, this side effect should fade on its own after a matter of weeks.
- Dental implant failure, while rare, can still potentially happen if the implant posts never fuse with the jawbone.
- Poor oral hygiene habits could end up compromising your dental implants. As such, you’ll need to dedicate yourself to taking excellent care of your smile once you’ve had All-on-4 performed.
It’s important to make sure you have all the information you need before you make any decisions regarding your smile. If you’re interested in rebuilding your grin with All-on-4, talk to your dentist; they can help you determine whether the procedure is truly right for you.
About the Practice
At Beck Dental Care of Columbia, our dental experts take a comprehensive, personalized approach to care in order to fully meet the oral health needs of our patients. We can place dental implants in-office, and we’re proud to offer our patients the benefits of the All-on-4 procedure. To schedule a consultation with our team, visit our website or call (931) 388-8452.