What Are All-on-4 Dentures, and Am I a Good Candidate?

All-on-4 Dentures allow patients to permanently replace several missing teeth without the hassle of a removable bridge or dentures. This blog explains how All-on-4 dentures work and who is a good candidate for the procedure.

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3 Min Read

If you have missing teeth, it can affect your self-esteem and make everyday interactions with people uncomfortable and embarrassing. All-On-4® dental implants are an innovative solution to replace several missing teeth and are a great alternative to traditional dentures. All-On-4® can give you strong, lasting teeth and restore your smile and confidence. 

What Are All-On-4 Dental Implants?

All-On-4® dental implants are used as an alternative to traditional removable dentures. Like dentures, the All-On-4® system replaces the entire arch of teeth in the top and bottom of your mouth. While they share some similarities, the main difference between dentures and All-On-4® is how they’re anchored to your mouth. Traditional dentures are removable and require adhesives to secure them into your mouth. This can cause speech and chewing issues and even allow dentures to slip out at inopportune times. All-On-4® dental implants are permanent dentures attached using four dental implants placed strategically in your mouth.  

All-On-4® dental implants also differ from conventional dental implants in that they replace several missing teeth at a time versus just one or two. If you’re familiar with dental implants, you know that each separate tooth is placed into your mouth using an individual screw for each replacement tooth. With the All-On-4® method, all of your teeth can be replaced using only four screws.

Does All-On-4® seem like the ideal treatment for you? Below, we explore how to decide if you’re a good candidate for All-On-4® dental implants.

Be Missing Most or All of Your Teeth 

Individual dental implants are used to replace one or more missing teeth, as well as to secure bridges for more extensive tooth loss. However, All-On-4® is designed to anchor full-arch dentures on the upper arch of your mouth, the lower arch of your mouth, or both. So if you are missing most or all of your teeth, All-On-4® dental implants are an ideal solution whether you currently wear dentures or are getting fitted for dentures for the first time.   

Have Good Oral Bone Health

Many patients who have missing teeth also have issues with oral bone health. When you lose a tooth, the bone where the tooth once was begins to shrink, known as resorption, which makes it difficult for the bone to support an implant. Other patients may have bone loss and poor-quality bone due to osteoporosis. In the past, this would have made it impossible to utilize dental implants. But All-On-4® implants are specifically designed for patients who have bone issues. They can be anchored to the underside of your cheekbones, so it doesn’t matter if you have significant bone loss in your upper jaw. Additionally, you can undergo a bone graft to solve more minor cases of bone loss. 

Be in Good Overall Health

Before undergoing the All-On-4® implant procedure, your dentist will want to ensure you’re in good physical health. However, some of the contraindications for All-On-4® dental implants include:

Uncontrolled High Blood Pressure

Because placing the All-On-4® dental implants requires a surgical procedure, most patients are sedated or under general anesthesia. If you have uncontrolled high blood pressure, you cannot undergo surgery because of the increased risk of complications that could occur during surgery.  

Uncontrolled Diabetes

If you have diabetes that is not well-controlled, it can interfere with the healing process after your dental surgery, putting you at a higher risk for infection and implant failure.

Smoking or Vaping

Both smoking and vaping cause several dental health issues that affect the health of your mouth and the ability to heal after dental implants. Nicotine reduces oxygen in your bloodstream, making it more difficult for the blood to carry vital nutrients to the implant sites that need healing. It also suppresses your immune system, leaving you more vulnerable to infection. Smoking and vaping cause dry mouth and damage the soft tissues in your mouth, both of which are contributors to gum disease and tooth decay.

Healthy Gums

If you have gum disease or issues such as abscesses, lesions, or tumors in your mouth, they must be addressed before your All-On-4® dental implant surgery. These conditions interfere with healing and place you at higher risk for complications. 

Learn More About All-On-4® Dental Implants in Schaumburg and Norridge

If you’re looking for a lasting way to address significant tooth loss, All-On-4® dental implants may be the answer. All-On-4® implants last longer and restore up to 50% more of your chewing function than traditional dentures. To schedule a consultation, call Royal Dental Care today at  (773) 232-3929 (Norridge) or (847) 999-7620 (Schaumburg) or fill out our online contact form.