If you have visited your periodontist recently regarding fixing your smile after periodontal disease, implants may have been mentioned. One of the options your periodontist may mention is an all in four implant option. This option, like other dental options, has benefits and disadvantages. If you aren't sure how this option could benefit you, consider these key points that you should know.
What an All on Four Implant Is
The first thing you should know about this type of implant is what it is. In essence you will receive four implants. Two are placed on either side of your gums at an angle. The reason for this is to attempt to use the natural bone of your gum and jaw. This places implant points on all four sides of your both, two on top and two on bottom. This avoids the issue of having to have artificial bone placed or dental grafts. It also allows people who normally could not have dental implants to meet the candidacy requirements.
Benefits for Your Natural Bone
One of the reasons that some patients shy away from certain dental procedures is because they don't want to risk having more of their natural bone or gums destroyed over time. They fear that drilling and other options may do this. One of the benefits of having an all on four dental implant procedure is the ability to maintain the current bone level you have in your jaw and gumline and to keep that bone level over time. The implants are designed to work with the bone not against it.
Time to Complete the Procedure
One of the reasons that people shy away from certain dental procedures is due to the amount of time they have to spend during each visit having drilling or other procedures done. One of the key benefits to all on four dental implants is the ability to have them done in two and a half hours per arch in most cases. This does not mean that you will have a fully ready to go smile in that time. This is strictly for the implants themselves. You will need to have additional appointments in order to receive permanent teeth.
Adhesives and the Implants
You will not need to use adhesives on this type of dental implant. This can be a key benefit for people concerned about the continuous need for buying and using various adhesives to keep their smile looking its best. If you do feel your implants growing loose, contact your periodontist immediately.
This basic knowledge of all on four dental implants can help you make the decision if they are ideal for your situation. If you decide to have this procedure done, schedule a consultation with your periodontist or get a referral from your dentist to a periodontist (such as Dr Edmond Lobaza) in your area.
Share20 April 2015
Miranda Raff here. My brother is a stressed-out dental student, so I'm starting this blog on his behalf. I work in a travel agency and my brother is mortified by the number of dental tourism stories I bring home. I book short holidays for people who seem as though they are going to enjoy some relaxation in an exotic country, only to learn that they plan to have cheap dental procedures. Whilst there are good dentists in developing countries, according to my brother, the complex procedures these people plan to have simply can't be finished in such a limited time. This blog is an attempt to inform you about the high skill levels and advanced technology found in Australian dental surgeries. New techniques are being developed every year and Australian dentists are at the forefront of offering these solutions. I really hope this blog helps you to appreciate our dentists.
