Are All-On-4 Dental Implants Right for Me?

Are All-On-4 dental implants the right route to replace your teeth? Or should you be considering other forms of teeth replacement? In this article, we will be breaking down what All-On-4 is, what you need to know before going in for the All-On-4 surgery procedure, and what you can expect when recovering.

What are All-On-4 dental implants?

All-On-4 is a modern technique to replace teeth using dental implants – so to understand where All-On-4 implants differ from other forms of teeth replacement, we have to understand what implants are. A dental implant is where a tooth is replaced completely through inserting a small titanium screw through your gum and into the jawbone. A replacement tooth, made from acrylic, composite or porcelain is then mounted onto this implant. In this way the implant acts like a root replacement.

All-On-4 dental implants take this concept – of using implants to mount replacement teeth – and multiplies it by four, in order to mount a full set of top or bottom teeth. While a singular dental implant uses a single implant per missing tooth, the All-On-4 procedure uses just 4 implants to mount a full set. The result is an ultimately less invasive procedure and gives you the closest thing to natural teeth.

Why should I consider All-On-4 implants?

If you are missing a number of your teeth, there are a number of solutions, including dentures and solo implants. Essentially, the type of tooth replacement you and your dentist decide on depends on the severity of damage and how many teeth you have left. If your teeth are more severely damaged and missing, All-On-Four is a great procedure, allowing your jaw to retain its integrity, and your smile to stay looking great.

What happens during the procedure?

The All-On-4 procedure begins with a consultation session with your dentist. Here, you and your dentist will be discussing strategies to replace your teeth and which one is best for you. X-rays will be taken of your jaw to gain an insight of your teeth, gums and jaw, which will help decide what to do going forward. If All-On-4 implants are decided, the dentist will ask you to come back for more sessions in order to prepare all the parts for the procedure, including your new set of teeth.

The surgery itself takes place over a 2 to 3-hour period, typically under general anaesthetic or IV sedation in order to keep you comfortable. The dentist or oral surgeon will proceed to prepare your mouth for the implants. This may involve removing existing damaged teeth or infected tissue from your gums. Then they will begin the process of implanting the titanium fixtures within the jawbone.

Once the implants are placed, the surgery site will be cleaned, incisions stitched up, and you will be sent to the recovery room to relax and recover from the effects of your anaesthetic.

Recovering from an All-On-4 Procedure

There are things you can do to ensure a speedy, safe recovery from dental implant surgery.

Avoid vigorously rinsing or spitting on the day of surgery, to allow your wounds to recover.
Stay well-hydrated in order to encourage your body’s natural recovery process.
Use ice-packs if required to alleviate excess swelling on the mouth and jaw.
Eat soft foods on the days immediately following the surgery.
Practice good oral hygiene, including brushing your new teeth gently with a baby toothbrush. Avoid excessive, forceful rinsing, and rinse gently with warm salt water washes.
Rest. Rest is crucial to a quick recovery, so take it easy in the days following your recovery before returning gently to physical exercise.