What to Expect After Your All-on-4 Implant Procedure

We tend to take our teeth for granted. We don’t think about them that much — until something goes wrong. And 40 million Americans know just how wrong things can go: That’s how many are missing all of their teeth.

If you’re in that group or are missing either your upper or lower teeth, you might be excited to learn about the All-on-4® implant procedure from the team at Smile Design Manhattan in the Midtown West neighborhood of New York City. 

Here’s more about what All-on-4 can do and what you can expect after the procedure.

What’s All-on-4?

All-on-4 is a revolutionary dental implant bridge that helps restore your smile and oral health.

Traditional dental implants require an implant to replace each missing tooth. If you don’t have all of your upper or lower teeth, this prospect can seem daunting, physically and financially.

All-on-4 replaces all your teeth with just four total implants connected with a bridge. This innovation is less invasive than the traditional method and makes replacing multiple teeth more accessible to more patients. 

How does the procedure work?

Your dentist first determines if you’re a good candidate for All-on-4 implants. But most everyone is a good candidate because bone grafting isn’t needed for the procedure.

All-on-4 is a surgical procedure, so it’s performed under anesthesia. The four implants are surgically placed into your jawbone in a tilted position to use the available bone.

What happens after the procedure?

Afterward, you’re given a set of temporary replacement teeth. These replacements allow you to continue your normal activities while the implants bond with your jawbone, which is necessary for the procedure to succeed.

This process (osseointegration) can take up to six months, and you wear the temporary teeth during that time. For the first few weeks, you may need to modify your diet to include softer foods. Avoid tough, crunchy, or chewy foods that could disrupt the bonding process.

Once the implants have fully bonded with your jawbone, you return to the office for permanent crowns to complete the restoration of your smile.

All-on-4 implants are permanent, so take care of them as you would natural teeth. With an oral hygiene routine of brushing, flossing, and regular checkups, your implants should last years or even the rest of your life.

If you’re missing all of your upper or lower teeth and want to learn more about All-on-4 dental implants, call the Smile Design Manhattan office at 646-278-4579 to schedule an appointment.