About: All On 4 Dental Implants

The All-On-4 treatment concept was developed to provide edentulous patients with an efficient and effective restoration using only four implants to support an immediately loaded full-arch prosthesis. A full upper and/or lower arch reconstruction can be comfortably performed under IV sedation in ONE visit with the All-On-4™ Dental Implant Procedure.  This procedure uses four implants with the back implants tilted to increase the bone-to-implant contact, which enables the "immediate load" of the replacement teeth. By tilting the two posterior implants, longer implants can be used in minimum bone volume, increasing bone-to-implant contact and reducing the need for bone grafting or augmentation techniques. The tilted posterior implants can be anchored in better quality anterior bone, thus improving support of the prosthesis (teeth).

The Diagnostic Visit

Are you a candidate for the All-on-4? Generally speaking, most people are indeed candidates. In fact, 94% of patients with teeth or without teeth are candidates for the All-on-4 dental implant procedure. In order to definatively determine who is an appropriate candidate for this procedure, we utilize 3D CT imaging technologies to evaluate bone quality and quantity. At the first visit, hi-resolution photos, digital x-rays, a 3D CAT scan and a thorough clinical evaluation will take place followed by expert explanation of the case diagnosis and treatment options.  During this visit, impressions are taken (to make the replacement teeth), and a clear financial overview will be presented.

The Surgery Visit

For most patients, this phase involves the extractions, bone graft (if necessary), bone re-contouring (if necessary) and the surgical placement of the 4 dental implants per upper and / or lower arch. The "All On 4" patient receives an immediate implant-supported restoration, as the provisional teeth are placed onto the implants immediately following surgery — ONE-visit! Patients typically resume a full schedule of activities within 24 to 72 hours. Generally speaking, follow-up visits are 1, 4 and 12 weeks after surgery.  Specific post operative instructions will vary on a case by case basis.

A typical treatment timeline for the surgery visit consisits of the following:

• 8am — IV Sedation Administration
• 9am — Extractions, Bone Recontouring, Bone Grafting (if necessary), Implant Placements
• 11pm — The Replacement Teeth Are Immediately Loaded For Immediate Function
• 12pm — Refinements
• 2pm — Post Operative

Generally speaking, the more experienced office knows that this procedure is ideally performed when the patient is completely sedated with the administration of IV sedation — complete comfort.  Be sure to inquire about the type of sedation and who will be administering this sedation.  Most comprehensive dental implant centers only utilize the expertise of board certified Anesthesiologists to administer deep IV sedation.

The Restorative Visit

When the implants have fully integrated with the jawbone (4 months to 6 months later), the “final” teeth are secured. Final teeth for the All On 4 include both fixed prostheses, such as a fixed, non-removable implant bridge with a concealed titanium framework supporting acrylic veneers, or individual crowns cemented to the bridge framework, and removable solutions, such as acrylic over-dentures on a implant bar over-denture.

Non-Removable Teeth

• Implant bridge with a concealed titanium framework supporting acrylic or porcelain veneers
• Individual crowns cemented to the bridge framework

Removable Teeth

• Acrylic over-dentures
• Implant bar over-denture

How strong will my new teeth be, and will I be able to eat more easily than I can with dentures?"

You will be able to eat just about anything without worrying about slippage or your teeth falling out. The bite force with implants is far greater than with dentures. Your bite force with dental implants is about 250 pounds per square inch, where as with dentures, it's about 6. Your new implant-supported bridge can be cleaned like natural teeth while in your mouth by brushing and flossing. Only your clinician can remove the prosthesis for periodical maintenance, if necessary. You now have a permanent solution to dentures and/or partials and a lifelong guarantee of worry free success.