Steps In An All-On-4 Dental Implant Procedure

Ideally, an All on 4 dental implant procedure is a straightforward procedure which gives patients with missing or inevitably failing teeth the chance to enjoy a natural smile they thought was lost forever. But things are not always that simple, and not all patients are ideal candidates for the procedure. Sometimes, it takes additional work to make them suitable candidates and improve their long-term outcomes.

Patients are often confused about the course of treatment during an All on 4 dental implant procedure. Of course, all this depends on individual circumstances, and treatment is planned in accordance with the patient’s needs and their best interests. More and more patients are interested in reaping all the benefits of same-day teeth in Lake Elsinore and the surrounding areas can provide.

What are the steps for getting a tooth implant?

The All-on-4 procedure is often referred to as teeth in a day, as the entire appointment may be done in as little as 3 hours, in which case the process consists of the following steps:

• Extractions
• Bone reduction
• Implant placement
• Fixed temporary bridge 
• Fixed permanent bridge

Namely, getting a dental implant often begins with a dental extraction. In most cases, a patient already has one or more missing teeth and the remaining teeth are rapidly failing and beyond repair, so they need to be extracted to make room for the implants.

Implant placement is a straightforward procedure, less invasive than extraction itself. 

The next step is recovery which can take anywhere from 3 months to a whole year. The patient wears a provisional or temporary fixed (non-removable) prosthesis during this time.

After the implants in an All-on-4 procedure have fully integrated with the bone, the permanent fixed dental bridge can be attached to the implants.

How long does it take for a dental implant to osseointegrate to the bone?

The duration of the osseointegration process, which is when dental implants integrate with the jawbone, depends on the patient’s healing ability, but it usually takes 3 months. 

How are teeth attached to implants?

Crowns or dental bridges, which are sets of three or more crowns, are attached to the implants after the implants have integrated with the jawbone. There are two ways to attach crowns to the implants: screw retention and cement retention. 

What does the patient’s outcome depend on?

The outcome of an All-on-4 procedure often depends on the patient’s medical history and how long their teeth have been missing. In patients who have had dentures for a long time, it is not uncommon for there to be insufficient bone volume for the planning and placement of the All-on-4 configuration. 

But there are other options that can make these patients suitable candidates for the All-on.4 procedure, such as bone grafting or zygomatic cheekbone implants, both of which are advanced forms of treatment performed by experienced oral surgeons.

All-on-4 dental implants are a worthwhile choice for many reasons:

• For patients in a stable general condition, dental implants are by far the superior dental restoration option. 
• All-on-4 dental implants may be the best and most cost-effective treatment option for patients without any teeth, because the configuration of the All-on-4 concept can restore functionality to the entire arch at once. 
• Depending on the size and health of the patient’s jawbone, a patient can have 4 to 6 dental implants placed inside the jawbone. After the implants integrate with the bone, a temporary or permanent fixed dental bridge is attached to them. The bridge is custom-made so as to resemble the patient’s natural teeth, both in terms of aesthetics and functionality, as they enable patients to regain a whopping 90 percent of their natural chewing efficiency. 
• The fact that the teeth are fixed means they do not have to be removed nightly, which is the case with dentures. Another significant advantage of the permanent fixed dental bridge is that it enables patients to enjoy a healthy, diverse, balanced diet, whereas dentures not only cause the patients’ bone tissue to gradually deteriorate, but also drastically limit patients’ food options.

Explore the perks of same-day teeth in Lake Elsinore

If you’re considering All-on-4 dental implants, also known as same-day teeth, why not visit a dental specialist to find out more? As the leading place for All-on-4 dental implant procedures serving Lake Elsinore, Temecula, and nearby communities, our practice is the ideal place to give you all the information you need to make an informed decision in the best interest of your dental and oral health. You may be one step away from a considerably better quality of life. Do not hesitate to reach out to us and find out more.