DENTAL IMPLANTS
All-on-4 Dental Implants
Rose City Dental Care in Portland, Oregon
WHAT ARE ALL-ON-4 DENTAL IMPLANTS?
More than 35 million Americans suffer from complete tooth loss on one or both arches of the mouth. Thanks to advances in modern dentistry, many are now turning to a highly effective form of tooth replacement called “All-on-4 dental implants.” The term “All-on-4” refers to “all” the teeth being supported “on 4” dental implants!
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Compared to traditional dentures, this permanent solution to tooth replacement closely mimics not just the appearance but also the function of natural teeth. Your Portland, OR dentist here at Rose City Dental Care can help you restore your oral health and functions with stable, comfortable, and long-lasting All-On-4 dental implants.
What Are Implant-Supported Dentures?
To understand this remarkable technique for restoring a full arch, you should first understand what a dental implant is. A dental implant is a small titanium screw that is placed within the jawbone and acts as an artificial tooth root. As with a natural tooth root, your jaw bone will fuse with the implant, preventing bone loss and providing strength and stability for your restoration.
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Though implants are often used to replace single teeth, they can also be used for implant-supported dentures. An implant-supported denture is just what it sounds like: It is a custom-made denture that is supported by dental implant posts. Though it is similar in appearance to a traditional denture, it is much more stable and comfortable because it is securely anchored to the jawbone via dental implants, rather than affixed with temporary denture adhesive.
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With an All-on-4 Implant, two straight anterior (front of the mouth) implants and two tilted at a 45-degree angle in the posterior (rear of the mouth) are placed into the jawbone. The bone will fuse with the titanium implant posts in a process called osseointegration, providing a strong and stable foundation for the denture.
Benefits of an All-on-4 Implant
Arguably the greatest benefit of All-on-4 implants is that they prevent bone loss. Without teeth to stimulate it, the jawbone will shrink over time in a process called resorption. However, implant posts inserted into the jaw will stimulate the bone, preventing resorption. Since bone loss increases the risk of oral health complications and also results in sagging facial features, preventing jaw bone loss supports not just your oral health but also your facial muscles and features.
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Another great benefit of All-on-4 implants is that they provide greatly increased patient satisfaction compared to traditional dentures. Though traditional dentures are a cost-effective option for replacing a full arch, many people find essential tasks like eating and speaking difficult and uncomfortable with them. Implant-supported dentures offer numerous benefits to oral functions, including a much-improved ability to eat and speak. For example, compared to conventional dentures, implant-supported dentures offer an increased bite force of over 70%! All-on-4 implants are securely fixed in place, so you won’t have to worry about adhesives or slipping, and you’ll be able to speak and eat with confidence again!
A Lifelong Solution
With proper oral hygiene and care, dental implants will last a lifetime. Because the prosthetic teeth will wear down over time from daily use, the denture will likely need to be replaced eventually. And while we always encourage twice-yearly checkups to evaluate and maintain our patients’ oral health, we especially stress the need for regular visits for our patients who have undergone restorative and implant dentistry treatments. You will need to see your Portland, OR dentist regularly to ensure your All-on-4 implants continue to function properly.
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Overall, All-on-4 implants are a wonderfully stable and cost-effective way to replace your teeth. They are much more cost-effective than full-set implants, greatly reduce the need for bone grafting, and are typically completed in far fewer visits. Conventional dentures often need to be remade entirely every few years as the jaw bone shrinks and the face changes without implants to stimulate and maintain the bone. When cared for properly, All-on-4 implants are a natural-looking, stable and lifelong solution for replacing your teeth and regaining your smile!
Your Dentist for All-On-4 Dental Implants
If you are suffering from complete tooth loss on one or both arches, consider scheduling a consultation with your Portland, OR dentist at Rose City Dental Care. Call us at (503) 255-2415 to schedule your free consultation for All-on-4 implants, and we will help you regain your confidence, your smile, and your quality of life!
