All-on-4 Implants Specialist

What are All-on-4 implants?

All-on-4 implants are a revolutionary dental technology that gives patients the ability to secure an entire arch of dentures in their mouth with only four dental implants. They enhance the comfort of your denture experience and provide a wide range of benefits for your overall oral health.

The implants are made of small titanium posts that function like artificial tooth roots. They’re surgically implanted into your jawbone, where they fuse with the bone through a process called osseointegration.

Your body doesn’t recognize titanium as a foreign substance, so your implant effectively becomes a part of your jawbone as you heal from the placement surgery. Because of this, implants are highly effective at providing a foundation for restorations, like crowns, bridges, or dentures.

How do All-on-4 implants work?

The All-on-4 system uses only four dental implants that are strategically placed in your mouth to support an entire arch of dentures. Two of the implants go in the interior of your mouth, while the other two go in the posterior at a 45º angle (if you have insufficient bone to have the implants placed vertically) — these posterior implants utilize more of your available bone and may eliminate the need for bone grafts.

What are the benefits of All-on-4 implants?

Unlike traditional dentures, which are held in place by suction or an adhesive, All-on-4 implants are ultimately connected to your jawbone. This structure more effectively mimics the mechanics of your natural teeth, which makes All-on-4 implants feel more comfortable, work more effectively, and look more natural.

All-on-4 implants also give patients the health benefits of dental implants. Because dental implants fuse to your jawbone, they provide stimulation to your bone tissue. This stimulation staves off the bone loss that can typically occur with missing teeth and maintains the shape of your face because it prevents your facial muscles from caving in.

What’s the process for getting All-on-4 implants?

First, your dentist will take digital X-rays to determine where implants can be surgically placed. Then they make a small incision in your gum, prepare a tiny hole in your jawbone, and insert the implant. After you get stitched up, you're sent home to heal, and recovery typically takes a few months. During this time, your implants fuse with your jawbone.

Once your implants have fused, you come back for another visit, where your dentist affixes abutments to the implants. The abutments are tiny posts that stick up out of your gum line and attach to your dentures.

After you’ve healed from the abutment placement, your dentist takes a mold of your mouth and sends it off to a dental lab, where your dentures are designed and fabricated to comfortably and securely attach to your implants.

To learn more about how All-on-4 implants can restore your smile and change your life, schedule a visit to Willow Glen Dental Center today by calling the office or booking online.