All-On-Four

All-on-4 Dental Implants are also called Full-arch fixed implant bridges. The procedure uses dental implants to fix dentures in place. If all the teeth are missing from one or both jaws, the normal procedure is to replace the whole set of teeth with artificial ones. Dentures can be removable or like in the case of All-on-4 implants, permanent. To fix the dentures in place, implants are used and as the name suggests, there are four implants that help hold on to all the teeth.

All-on-4 dental implants have a few advantages over regular dentures which include feeling more natural, lasting longer, and having no need for bone grafting. The four implants that are fitted into the jaw bone help to preserve part of the bone as it fuses around the implant and does not get resorbed by the body. All-on-4 dental implants use either acrylic or composite resin to make the artificial teeth or porcelain can also be used. The teeth look like natural teeth and function just as well.

At San Anselmo Family Dentistry, we fit All-on-4 dental implants. If you come in for a visit, we will be able to tell you if you are a good candidate for the procedure after giving you a full oral examination.
To be a good candidate for All-on-4 dental implants you need to:

• Be missing all your teeth in one or both jaws.
• Be a healthy adult with a fully developed jaw. The procedure can’t be done on teens and children whose jaw is still growing.
• Not be suffering from any other oral problems like gum disease.
• Not be suffering from any other chronic medical conditions.

When you first come in for a visit at San Anselmo Family Dentistry, we do a full oral examination which includes taking X-rays of the jaw. Once we have a clear idea of your condition and your medical history we will get started. If you need any teeth to be extracted, it will be done at this time. Your mouth will also be measured so that the dental arch can be prepared to fit perfectly.

The very first stage is to fit the implants. This is done under local anesthesia so that you don’t feel any pain. The implants, which are made of titanium, are fixed into the jawbone. Of the four implants, two are fitted closer to the front and two towards the back so that they are evenly distributed over the jaw. In many cases, we are able to fit the arch of replacement teeth onto the implants on the same day.

The dental arch is placed in your mouth over your gums and then fixed to the implants. The process fixes the dentures firmly to the gum so that it feels like a normal set of teeth. You will also be able to eat normally once the new teeth are in place. On follow up visits, we will check to make sure that the implants are holding their position and there are no other problems with the dental arch.

When compared to the traditional implant procedure to replace a whole row of teeth, All-on-4 is a much quicker procedure. The procedure also eliminates the need for bone grafting which is an additional surgery and takes a long time. Because All-on-4 requires fewer procedures and dental visits, the overall cost is also lower. All-on-4 implants leave you with a set of fully functional and natural looking teeth.

After the procedure we will give you a set of instructions on how to care for your new teeth. Good oral hygiene is always necessary. Certain hard foods like hard candy or ice could damage the replacement teeth and should be avoided. We will inform you on when you should come in for a follow up checkup.

If you would like to know more about All-on-4 dental implants or to book an appointment with us, call us at one of the numbers listed below and we will be happy to help.