Before and After All-on-4 Dental Implants- All You Need To Know
If your teeth are healthy, you may not give them much thought. However, when your teeth start falling out, you may notice that the way you eat and speak changes. Missing teeth can lead to many oral and overall health issues.
The good news is, thanks to advancements in dental technology, there are lots of options for tooth replacement. According to the American Dental Association, dental implants are the gold standard of tooth replacement- they look, feel, and function the most like natural teeth. However, the disadvantage is the cost- around $5,000 per implant. On the other end of the spectrum is conventional dentures, which are affordable- but don’t offer much stability.
Dr. Gary Login in Brookline offers another solution: All-on-4 dental implants. In this article, we’ll explain more about this procedure and what you should know before and after it.
What is All-on-4 Dental Implants?
All-on-4 dental implants is a hybrid tooth replacement solution. This option combines the affordability of conventional dentures with the stability of dental implants. Often, this is referred to as “teeth in a day” because many patients qualify to have a temporary prosthesis placed on the same day as the implants.
All-on-4 Dental Implants vs. Traditional Dental Implants
There are a few similarities and differences between All-on-4 dental implants and traditional dental implants:
| Traditional Dental Implants | All-on-4 Dental Implants |
How long does treatment take? | Treatment takes up to a year, depending on your body’s ability to heal | Most patients qualify for “teeth in a day”, which means a temporary prosthesis will be placed the day of the implant surgery |
Cost | $5,000 per implant, up to $60,000+ for full-mouth implants | Average of $12,000 per arch, or $24,000 for both |
Diet Considerations | Need to stick to soft foods for 3+ months, depending on healing progression | Need to stick to soft foods for 3+ months, depending on healing progression |
Oral Hygiene | No special considerations for oral hygiene- brush and floss as usual | No special considerations for oral hygiene- brush and floss as usual |
Things to Know Before Getting All-on-4 Dental Implants
There are several things you should know before getting All-on-4 dental implants:
- Make sure to work with an experienced Implantologist. This is a complex surgery that requires a certain amount of knowledge and skill.
- Be sure that you qualify for 4 implants. All-on-4 requires a certain amount of jawbone density- discuss with your dentist whether you qualify for 4 or if more may be better.
- There are a number of factors that determine your eligibility for implants- not everyone will qualify.
- While All-on-4 is often referred to as “teeth in a day”, not everyone will be eligible to get their prosthetic installed the same day as the implants.
- Costs vary from one dentist to another, make sure to get more than one opinion and estimate.
Things to Know After Getting All-on-4 Dental Implants
There are also several things you should know after getting All-on-4 dental implants:
- Dental implant placement is an invasive surgery, which means you will need to avoid strenuous activity for a few days following the procedure.
- Though you may qualify for “teeth in a day”, you’ll still need to stick to a soft food diet to avoid causing the implants to shift.
- While the prosthetic cannot decay, proper oral hygiene is critical because bacteria can gather around the implants themselves and along the gumline around the prosthetic.
- You will need to keep all of your follow-up visits so that the dentist can ensure that your recovery is going as expected.
Schedule Your All-on-4 Consultation with Dr. Gary Login Today
If you are missing all or most of your teeth- or if your remaining teeth are severely damaged/decayed, All-on-4 treatment may be a good option for you. Schedule your consultation with Dr. Gary Login and the team today.
Dr. Login is more than just a dentist- he cares deeply about his patients. He will work with you to create your perfect smile. He spends more than 200 hours per year on continuing education to keep up with the latest in dental technology, which he incorporates into his practice.
We are located on Harvard Street in Brookline. Our office hours are Monday through Thursday from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM, and Friday from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. You can schedule your appointment by visiting the website or by calling the office.
All-on-4 Dental Implants FAQs
If you have questions or concerns about All-on-4 dental implants, we encourage you to let us know. Our team will be happy to help you understand your treatment options and the details that go with your chosen treatment option. Below are some of the questions that we often hear about All-on-4 dental implants.
How to clean All-on-4 dental implants?
The dental prosthesis is secured in place with 4 dental implants. Therefore, there are no special considerations when it comes to cleaning. Simply brush your teeth as you normally would with a soft-bristled toothbrush and a non-abrasive toothpaste.
How long does it take to get All-on-4 dental implants?
Traditional dental implants require you to wait for osseointegration before you can have the dental crown or prosthesis placed. However, All-on-4 dental implants is often referred to as “teeth in a day”, which means that your prosthesis will be placed at the same time as your implants. Therefore, you will leave the same day with a full set of teeth.
What can you eat after All-on-4 dental implants?
While you will get your full set of teeth on the same day as your implants, it’s important to stick to a soft food diet for a few weeks. This will help you avoid damaging the implants or causing them to shift.
Does food get stuck under All-on-4 dental implants?
If All-on-4 dental implants are properly secured to the jawbone, food should not get stuck under the prosthesis. If you find that food is getting stuck, contact your dentist to have it adjusted.
Are All-on-4 dental implants removable?
Unlike traditional full or partial dentures, All-on-4 dental implants are a fixed solution, which means it is not removable. Only the dentist can remove it
How to floss All-on-4 dental implants?
The best way to floss All-on-4 dental implants is with a water flosser, also known as an oral irrigator. This will allow you to clean around your implant and prosthesis without causing gums to become irritated or bleed.
If you are looking for a dentist in Brookline, MA, schedule your consultation with the team at Brookline Smile Artists. We offer Cosmetic and Restorative Dentistry. We are located at 209 Harvard Street, Suite 402 in Brookline. Our office hours are Monday through Thursday from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM and Friday from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
One of the top rated dentists in Brookline, MA