Same-Day Implants: The All-On-4 Method
It is a very successful and widely used surgery. Still, it also necessitates rather extensive medical care and, for some, a significant financial outlay, even though this offers good value over the long term.
But what occurs when a patient has lost their entire dental arch? It would take a lot of time and money to replace each separately, not to mention the length of the necessary healing and treatment periods. The good news is that it doesn't have to be done this way; at our Rockhill, South Carolina dental office, River District Smiles Dentistry, we can provide patients with a more practical option known as "same day implants" or occasionally "all on 4."
Replacement of Several Teeth
Dentures could be used to replace several missing teeth, but they lack the benefits that dental implants bring. The same-day implant procedure then provides a great way to replace each of these teeth without doing it one at a time.
This method uses a predetermined number of implants—typically four but occasionally six—instead of restoring each missing tooth one at a time. Regular dental implants are utilized in the front of the mouth, and two dental implants specially created are used in the back of the mouth. These are strategically implanted into the jawbone. These latter implants are positioned at an angle to provide additional stability. This enables the fixed bridge of teeth to be attached immediately without waiting for the osseointegration process to finish, which typically takes three months.
It is occasionally possible for patients whose bone has deteriorated due to losing their teeth to avoid the necessity for a previous bone graft thanks to these exceptionally engineered implants put nearer the back of the mouth. This is a significant advantage because it helps lower the overall treatment cost and spares you from having to endure the additional surgery that would have extended your treatment's duration.
Benefits of Same-day Implants
As was already indicated, this approach to multiple tooth restoration is substantially less expensive than individually. It also implies that you can theoretically utilize the restored teeth as soon as possible, like your natural teeth. Even while you don't need to be as cautious as you would be with individual implants, we advise that you be mindful of your diet for a short time, primarily for your comfort. For a period, it's recommended to eat softer foods as the treatment region heals and your implants 'set in.' Then, instead of individual implants, you'll probably resume eating regularly sooner.
The patient would then have the option of choosing this procedure or dentures since replacing an entire arch of teeth with individual dental implants would not be practical (or even possibly economical). While dentures still serve a vital purpose, this technique has a number of clear advantages over the long run.
Dentures may be more likely to move around in the mouth than same-day implants since they are less stable. This frequently implies that people who wear them decide not to eat particular meals that might be difficult. However, this process is not the case, and after the initial "bedding in" time, you are free to eat whatever you want. Additionally, unlike dentures, which must be removed and cleaned outside of the mouth, same-day implants are much simpler to maintain.
It's also important to remember that a similar treatment approach can be utilized to stabilize unsteady dentures for people who wish to keep using dentures but would rather them stay in place.
At River District Smiles, we take a uniquely personalized approach to each patient's smile makeover. Please contact our office to schedule an appointment to learn more about whether you're a good candidate for this treatment.
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