When to Consider All-on-4® Implants

According to the American College of Prosthodontists, about 40 million Americans are missing all of their teeth. Teeth replacement options used to be fairly limited, but advances in dentistry have led to a new technique called All-on-4® dental implants.

Thanks to this implant technology, you can replace all of your upper or lower teeth at once, restoring your smile and confidence in one fell swoop. 

At Smile Design Manhattan in the Midtown West neighborhood of New York City, our team loves affecting patients’ lives in such an uplifting way. Read on to learn more about how All-on-4 implants can make a difference in your life.

What are All-on-4 implants?

A dental implant is a replacement root for a missing tooth. The implant is drilled into your jawbone, and then a crown is placed over the implant that looks and functions just like your natural tooth.

Traditional implants require a separate implant for almost every missing tooth. With the All-on-4 system, however, just four implants are needed to support an entire set of upper or lower teeth.

With the All-on-4 system, the two front implants are installed normally. But the two implants in the rear of your mouth are implanted in the jawbone at a 45° angle. 

Patients considering traditional implants sometimes don’t have enough solid jawbone for proper installation. The tilt of the All-on-4 implants minimizes that problem and allows them to work in just about anyone’s mouth.

How does the All-on-4 procedure work?

An All-on-4 surgical procedure is conducted under anesthesia to minimize pain and discomfort and give your dentist the best working conditions. 

To start, your dentist surgically places four implants into your upper or lower jawbone. Then they fit you with a set of temporary replacement teeth while your implants bond with your jawbone.

The bonding process usually takes about six months. You may need to modify your diet for the first few weeks after surgery to protect the implants and teeth. When the implants have bonded sufficiently, you return to our office to receive the permanent crowns that fit over the implants.

If you practice good oral hygiene and keep up with your regular visits for dental cleanings, your new implants should last for years — maybe even a lifetime. And your self-esteem and confidence get a boost right along with your smile.

If you’re ready to learn more about how All-on-4 implants can make a difference in your life, call the Smile Design Manhattan office today or book your visit online.