Am I A Candidate For Dental Implants?
Are you living with tooth loss? It’s more common than you might think. Millions of adults lose their teeth due to age, decay, or injury every year. Because this is so common, there are a variety of treatments that can help replace the tooth or teeth. Dental implants are the best dental restoration option for patients suffering from the loss of one or more teeth. The ideal candidate for implants is in good overall health without any serious oral conditions, such as gum disease or infections.
Should I Get Dental Implants Or A Dental Bridge?
Two of the most common solutions for a lost adult tooth are dental bridges and dental implants. A dental bridge works by attaching a false tooth to the surrounding teeth often with a dental crown. The false tooth is anchored into your mouth. Many patients opt for dental implants because they tend to last longer than dental implants and the implant is much more similar to how natural teeth sit in our mouths. Additionally, the process of installing a dental bridge could potentially lead to risks with dental decay on the anchor teeth. Restorative services like fillings and crowns sometimes increase the risk of bacteria growing where the dental implement and the tooth meet. This can lead to a dental bridge or crown loosening over time.
How Do Dental Implants Work?
Implants are screw-like metal posts made from biocompatible titanium. They function as artificial tooth roots once placed in your jaw. Titanium stimulates bone growth to reverse the effects of bone loss that happens when you lose one or more teeth. Dental implants are the only tooth loss solution that can prevent or reverse jawbone loss.
Implants are surgically inserted into your jawbone and provide a permanent base for one or more artificial teeth. The artificial teeth, called dental crowns, are made from durable and natural-looking materials for a seamless restoration. The crowns are used to cap the implant and restore the strength and function of your missing tooth.
What Are The Benefits Of Dental Implants?
- Once placed, the titanium implants bond with your jawbone to help maintain your jaw’s natural shape and health.
- Unlike removable dentures, implants are fixed tooth replacements. You will be able to bite, chew, and speak normally with your implants.
- You will be able to care for your artificial teeth the same as your natural teeth. Brush twice and floss daily to ensure good oral health.
What Are All-On-4 Dental Implants?
All-on-4 Dental Implants are a dental solution for patients who have lost a full arch of teeth. As we age it is very common to lose all of our adult teeth over the years. Whether because of injury, dental decay, or just aging in general. All-On-4 dental implants work by attaching a row of teeth to only 4 implant posts. A typical dental implant attaches a single false tooth to an implant post that is surgically attached to the jawbone. But with All-On-4 multiple teeth are replaced with only a few implant posts.
What Are The Benefits of All-On-4 Dental Implants?
Similar to normal dental implants, ALl-On-4 implants have many benefits over other restorative solutions. They are permanent solutions for adult tooth loss, they are cost-effective because they replace multiple teeth with a single device and they also preserve the existing bone which allows your face to maintain its natural structure. When adults lose their adult teeth the jawbone can be impacted leading to a change in the shape of your face. But with All-On-4 dental implants there is less change to the shape of your face since the posts replace the lost tooth roots.
What Is The Process For Getting All-On-4 Dental Implants?
All-on-4 dental implants require a few dental visits. At your initial consultation your Dental Town team at either our Archer or Bedford Park locations will discuss your unique treatment timeline and expectations. At a follow-up appointment, you will have your oral surgery to have the implant posts placed under your gums. Over the course of 3-6 months, the posts will fuse to the jawbone and replace the lost tooth roots. A small abutment is then placed on the implants. The false teeth are then attached to the abutment.
What Is The Difference Between All-On-Four Dental Implants And Regular Dental Implants
The main difference between traditional dental implants and All-On-Four dental implants is how they replace teeth. Traditional implants are done one-to-one. Each implant is designed to replace a single tooth. Some traditional implants can replace two adjacent teeth, but it would take anywhere from 5-8 implants to replace a full arch of teeth. All-on-4 dental implants use an angled placement technique to support a full arch of teeth with just four dental implant posts. This leads to less time spent getting implants installed and a high success rate.
Is Bone Grafting Necessary For All-On-Four Dental Implants?
Bone grafting is sometimes done for dental implants when there is concern that there isn’t enough jawbone to support the implant. However, with modern technology dentists who provide All-On-Four implants can decrease the need for bone grafting. Computer-aided technology can help find the ideal placement for all of the implant posts based on where a patient’s jaw bone is the strongest.
How Is The Recovery Process For All-On-Four Dental Implants?
After getting implants, many patients experience swelling and soreness. Normal activity levels can be resumed usually after a few days. Patients will get diet recommendations from their dentist. Generally, there is a 6-10 week adjustment time before you can fully return to your normal diet.
Who Is A Good Candidate For All-On-Four Dental Implants?
A good candidate for All-On-Four dental implants is anyone who is looking to replace the majority of their upper or lower teeth. Even if you have missing teeth, tooth decay, or gum disease, you can still get All-On-Four dental implants. The most important factor is the quality of your jawbone since it will be used to support the implant. During an initial consultation, your eligibility for the procedure is determined based on x-rays.
How Do All-On-Four Dental Implants Compare To Dentures
Both dentures and All-On-Four dental implants are designed to replace a large number of teeth and are frequently considered by older patients who are beginning to lose their adult teeth. However, there are many benefits of All-On-Four Dental Implants when compared to dentures. All-On-4 dental implants act and function like natural teeth and are not removable. You don’t have to worry about them slipping the way dentures can slip. They also preserve your natural face shape by replacing both the teeth and the root.