Thinking about replacing your missing teeth with All-on-4®? All-on-4® makes it possible for dentists to attach dentures to as few as four implants on each half of the jaw. It can take up to eight implants when the dentist uses conventional dentures instead of the specialized dentures made for All-on-4®.
Some patients do not have the bone thickness needed to hold up to eight implants on one half of their jaw. And getting bone grafts means they have to wait up to three months to recover before getting implants. All-on-4® uses smaller implants that are strategically placed to reduce the need for bone grafts.
During the day of the surgery, the dentist will give the patient a shot of a local anesthetic and a sedative might be administered. This will keep the patient relaxed and comfortable during the procedure, but they will remain awake.
The dentist will then use a dental drill to make holes in the patient's jaw. The implants are pushed into these holes until they are held in place by the bone tissues surrounding them. The dentist will then attach a specialized set of dentures to the implants. The patient walks out of the clinic with their smile restored.
Dentists typically recommend taking at least a day off when getting All-on-4®. Oral surgery stresses the body and getting lots of rest is one of the most effective ways to speed up the healing process. The dentist might also prescribe pain medication to help with any discomfort the patient experiences at home.
While the patient has their smile restored after the installation of All-on-4®, it still takes up to six months for the implants to fuse with bone tissues in the jaw. Patients should stick to a liquid diet for the first few weeks after their treatment. They can then move up to soft foods like pasta, eggs and mashed potatoes. Patients should continue eating foods that require minimal chewing until the implants are fully fused in place.
The dentist will likely schedule the patient for follow-up visits to monitor their recovery. Once osseointegration has taken place, the dentist might realign the dentures for a better fit. Changes to the jaw that take place during osseointegration can lead to dentures becoming loose. Once the patient is fully healed, the dentist might opt to create a new set of dentures or modify the one currently being used.
The benefits of All-on-4® over traditional dentures include:
Contact our Chester clinic to learn more about how you can replace missing teeth with All-on-4®.
Request an appointment here: https://thechesterfielddentist.com/ or call Chesterfield Dentist at (804) 412-0867 for an appointment in our Chester office.
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