Cosmetic Dentistry

All-on-4 Dental Implants

At R+R dental, we believe that you deserve to have a healthy and bright smile that leaves an impression on everyone you meet. Dr. Richer and Dr. Rivera understand the importance of having a natural smile, and they work to create aesthetically pleasing and natural-looking custom restorations.

We provide “All on 4” dental implants at our Hicksville, NY dental office. This treatment may be an ideal solution for you if you have lost your top or bottom teeth. Don’t allow a tooth loss condition or a severe periodontal disease to rob you of the beauty and function of permanent teeth.

Contact our team of experts today.

What Are All-on-4 Dental Implants?

The All-on-4 treatment concept by Dr. Paulo Malo of Nobel Biocare is a technique used to replace teeth using fewer implants than most conventional methods. The process entails surgically placing four implants in your jaw and permanently securing a full arch hybrid prosthesis in place. The result is a natural looking, complete set of teeth.

It’s important to note that all on four is not an invention, but a treatment technique that involves four to six dental implants that support a full fixed bridge. The treatment also uses angulated implants in the back to overcome bone deficiencies.

In most cases, you can receive a temporary fixed full-arch hybrid prosthesis on the day of surgery. The temporary prosthesis sits on top of the implants for the duration of the healing period.

Once the healing process is complete, you will have your permanent placement done during a follow-up visit. The follow-up visit usually occurs approximately six months after the initial procedure.

The procedure itself avoids bone grafting by tilting the posterior implants and is both affordable and convenient.

Patients who have lost all of their teeth or need to have teeth extracted due to decay can benefit significantly from this procedure because the process commonly takes just one day. All on 4 is far more convenient than the alternative, which requires undergoing several procedures to achieve a similar result.

All on 4 implants have a high success rate of approximately 98%, which should encourage any prospective patient and give them confidence.

What Are The Benefits?

All on 4 dental implants have fantastic benefits over regular dentures. These benefits include the following:

Permanent Solution

The technique offers unprecedented durability and stability, which means it acts as a permanent solution for teeth replacement. Titanium implants provide solid structural support for prosthetic teeth. You don’t have to worry about removing your dentures to clean and maintain them anymore.

Restore Bite Force

Once we replace and strengthen the root of the tooth, you can bite with equal or more force as you would with your natural teeth. Other replacement options do not restore the same bite force because they aren’t anchored in place and sit on top of the gums.

Enhanced Smile and Improved Aesthetics

Losing your teeth can affect how your face looks because you lack the bone to support your facial structure. All on four implants work to restore the height between your lower and upper jaw, which makes your face and lips appear fuller.

Bone Preservation

The bone in the jaw will continually deteriorate for as long as you are without teeth. Dental implants preserve the jaw bone, which allows you to eat and drink with little to no restriction.

Improved Self-Esteem

Individuals who have lost their teeth either due to injury or tooth decay may feel self-conscious when speaking or smiling in public. With implants, you can improve your overall quality of life as you regain your confidence and no longer worry about the way your teeth look.

Reduced Costs

The all on 4 concept is relatively inexpensive compared to conventional treatments that use eight to ten implants.

Short Treatment Times

All on four implants avoid the need for bone grafting procedures that are time-consuming. Titling the posterior implants involves immediate loading which shortens the treatment time. You can get the implants in one day.

Enable Natural Speech

Dentures can negatively impact your ability to speak by making certain words and sounds more difficult to pronounce. Dental implants work much like your natural teeth, enabling you to speak more naturally.

Eliminate Health Issues Associated with Missing Teeth

All on 4 implants help to reduce periodontal disease, which can lead to serious health issues such as diabetes, Alzheimer’s, heart attack, and other chronic illnesses.

Dental implants restore your mouth to a more natural state which helps to lower or eliminate many of these risks.

Support Adjacent Teeth

Having a gap in your mouth causes the adjacent teeth to change positions, which could lead to misalignment. All on 4 implants fill the gap which allows you to restore your smile.

All-On-Four Vs. Dentures

One of the most common questions regarding all on four revolves around how they differ from dentures.

All on 4 consists of a denture that the dentist attaches to four dental implants. These dental implants are permanent, while traditional dentures rest on your gums and are far less secure.

Dentures

Patients with dentures often have issues with everyday tasks such as speaking and eating. Conventional dentures cover a large surface area of your mouth and may also interfere with the overall taste of food.

It can take anywhere from three to six months after tooth removal before the mouth tissue is completely healed. You cannot use traditional dentures until this process completes. This temporary replacement also often requires adjusting due to swelling that occurs after extractions.

People with dentures tend to suffer from decreasing jawbone quality, which could damage their facial structure. Implants preserve the remaining jawbone and prevent deterioration.

Traditional dentures do cost less. You could get a complete set for $4,000 and a plate for only $2,000, but they can become loose after periods of wear, and you may need to reline or eventually replace them entirely. Adhesives and cleaning solutions can also become costly in the long run.

You’ll need to remove your dentures for cleaning, which can become both frustrating and inconvenient.

All on Four

All on 4 implants slow or stop bone loss entirely. Dentures sometimes contribute to bone loss due to placement and can also cause sores and discomfort.

Patients clean their dental implants the same way they would natural teeth and their implants don’t need constant removing and replacement like conventional dentures.

All on four costs approximately $28,000 per jawline, they are permanent, and they are almost impossible to distinguish from natural teeth. You won’t need creams or adhesives to maintain them and can brush and floss the same way you did with your original set.

Which Is Better For Me?

The obvious downsides to all on 4 implants are the overall cost and need to undergo one or two semi-invasive procedures. There tend to be far more drawbacks with dentures.

Dentures are not only a temporary solution, but they can also feel uncomfortable or unnatural, they need to be removed regularly for cleaning, can create several food limitations, lead to bone loss, and are far less secure than implants. Additionally, dentures can pose several health risks including gum disease and decay as a result of trapped food particles.

You will certainly save money in the short term if you opt for dentures, but the long-term outlook makes all on four implants a superior choice when you weigh the benefits and convenience.

What Do All On 4 Dental Implants Cost?

At R+R Dental, the price of all on four dental implants starts at $28,000 per arch.

Several factors may alter the cost of all on 4 dental implants, including the following:

  • Dental implant material
  • The location of the dental facility
  • Experience and training of the dental surgeon
  • Number of implants
  • Type of implant
  • Scans
  • Placement procedures
  • Extensive bone grafting needs
  • Sinus lifts

The type of dental implant material is noteworthy because certain elements can cause allergic reactions or be rejected by the body entirely. Titanium is the most common material used, but zirconium is sometimes used as an alternative as it blends well with natural teeth.

Price variance can be location-based as certain facilities have lower overhead and maintenance costs.

The expertise of the dental surgeon may impact the cost of dental implants. More experienced dentists tend to be a bit costlier.

If you require a bone graft because your jawbone is too weak to support an implant, you will need further surgery which could also increase the final cost. Special scans and X-rays to aid a successful implant can help your surgeon avoid complications during surgery and are examples of imaging that will bump the cost upwards.

Dental implants attach in a single stage or two stages. A single stage process only requires the placement of a longer implant that leaves the head exposes. Once you’ve healed, you won’t need a new incision after the crown.

The two-stage process requires a bone graft to guarantee the stability of the implant. After the bone graft, the implant attaches, and your incision site is stitched up. You’ll then undergo a second surgery to attach the abutment.

Some people may need to replace a single tooth, while others need to replace a whole arch. The process may be costlier if you require additional implants. Individual practices have special discounts, and this may also dictate the price you pay for the implants.

What is The Standard All-On-4 Procedure?

The all on four dental implant procedure is a multi-step process that begins with an initial consultation. Below, we’ll outline each part from beginning to end.

Preparation Stage

The first step is to assess your overall dental health. Dr. Richer or Dr. Rivera will evaluate your situation and history and discuss any of the concerns or questions you may have regarding the procedure. A CT scan will be conducted during your initial visit to determine the proper course of action.

If Dr. Richer or Dr. Rivera determine that you’re a good candidate for the all on four treatment, they may request further scans and radiographs. The scans go to the lab where we create impressions of your teeth. At this stage, we’ll select the tooth color that matches your natural teeth. The lab takes a few days to get your new set prepared.

We will then create a computer simulation of the implants, which are digitally and precisely positioned into the jawbone to give you the support you’ll need.

Surgery

During your next appointment, we will remove any remaining teeth on the arch. We will also remove any infected or diseased tissue from your gums. The implantation process begins where the titanium screws go through the gum tissue into your jawbone.

We place two implants towards the front of your mouth, as this area contains the most bone tissue. The other set is positioned towards the back of the mouth so that the anchors can bare the total force of the implants.

After the implants are set safely into your jawbone, we’ll clean the surgical site and sutured areas with the incisions. Your diet during the healing process is critical. Avoid chewy or hard foods that could irritate the surgical region and cause damage.

We remove the temporary teeth in three to six months after the placement and will check to see if the process of osseointegration has finished.

Once the temporary teeth are removed, we can take impressions for the permanent bridge, which should fit comfortably and provide additional strength.

Aftercare

Once you’ve received the permanent implants, you can brush and floss your prosthesis like you would your normal teeth. Full healing takes approximately four to six weeks.

You may need to re-visit the dental facility in a few months to ensure that the implants fit correctly and comfortably. Once you get to the sixth month, your gums have healed, and the implants should have attached to the natural bone.

How Long is the Recovery Time?

During the first hour after the placement of implants, you’ll have gauze packs placed over the area. You’ll need to gently bite down on these to apply pressure and prevent bleeding. It’s advised not to touch or rinse the surgical areas apart from gentle brushing. Keeping the mouth as clean as possible is crucial during this initial phase.

Avoid smoking after the procedure as it could affect your healing. You can gently rinse your mouth with salt water if there’s minimal bleeding after about a day. Repeat this process two to three times daily.

It’s essential to stay away from eating foods that are difficult to chew as they can cause irritation and extend your recovery time. Focus on soft foods like warm soup, yogurt, and steamed vegetables.

Avoid lifting heavy objects or any strenuous activity as this could lead to swelling and bleeding. Exercise should wait until at least 3- or 4-days post-op. You’ll want to take things slow and keep from getting up too quickly when lying down.

The quick-integrating design means that your implants start fusing to your bone from the first day. Your dentist will prescribe some pain relievers to ease any residual discomfort.

Frequently Asked Questions

Trepidation and anxiety are completely normal when it comes to most dental procedures. We’re here to answer your questions and put your mind at ease. Below are a few frequently asked questions about the all on 4 process and what it entails.

Who is The Perfect Candidate for an Implant Supported Denture?

To qualify for implant-supported dentures, you need to be missing most or all of your teeth or be a current denture-wearer. As is the case with most surgical procedures, candidates will need to be in reasonably good health to minimizes the overall risk.

A candidate for all on 4 dental implants needs to have decent jawbone density to support the implants. For patients lacking sufficient bone density, your dentist can perform a bone graft to rebuild the jaw for dental implant placement.

Medically cleared patients wearing traditional dentures that find them uncomfortable, ineffective, and awkward are excellent candidates for the implant-supported dentures.

Smokers are not good candidates. Smoking increases your risk of oral health problems such as gum disease which could lead to complications and the implants failing. We would highly recommend quitting smoking if you’re considering an all on four procedure.

Are the Extractions Done in The Same Session?

Yes, it’s possible to have the extraction performed and the implants placed in the same session. Many patients go this route, which is why we often refer to it as the “teeth in a day” procedure. Even if you need a bone graft, we perform the process at the same time during sedation.

What Should I Evaluate When Considering a Full-Arch Fixed Implant Bridge?

It’s critical to consider how you’ll adapt to the bridge bulk. If you aren’t ready for heavy implants, you may need to seek options that replace tooth volume. You may need additional implants to support the bridge due to the reduced bulk of the restorations.

Habits such as irregular chewing, bruxism, and clenching may affect your treatment decision. Your teeth detect force differently than implants do. Instead of having all your teeth removed, the dentist can opt to retain some of your natural teeth to enable you to sense parafunctional habits better, which can aid you in correcting some of these behaviors.

A full-arch fixed implant bridge may lead to some speech complications as the part of the bridge close to the soft tissue may be heavier than the original bone and soft-tissue volume. You may find it difficult to pronounce sounds like “N,” “T,” and “D.” If you’re concerned about your speech, you may need to opt for a bridge that replaces the missing tooth structure if the teeth are terminal.

How Should I Care For My New Dental Implants?

You’ll need to brush and floss your teeth regularly just as you would your natural teeth. You’ll also need to visit your dentist every six months to ensure that you don’t have any complications with your new implants.

How Much Pain Should I Expect?

At R+R dental, we understand that dental procedures can cause anxiety and aim to make each process as painless as possible. Placement of dental implants is less invasive than other procedures and includes sedation. You will also take anti-inflammatory medication before surgery to ensure as little swelling or discomfort as possible.

How Long Do All-on-4 Dental Implants Last?

Dental implants have an approximate lifespan of 25+ years. Their longevity depends largely in part to how you care for and maintain them. You’ll need to brush and floss regularly and see your dentist every six months the same way any patient with their natural teeth would.

Experienced dentists will know how to check the progress of osseointegration and determine whether the jawbone has absorbed the implant properly. Your health and lifestyle will also play a significant role in how long your implants last.

Book Your All-on-4 Consultation Today in Hicksville, NY!

We value every one of our patients. While we completely understand the apprehension many people experience when it comes to dental procedures, we prioritize professionalism and comfort to ensure the best possible experience for you.

Getting All on four implants in Hicksville, NY is a fantastic way to avoid the pitfalls and health risks that come along with traditional dentures.

Both Dr. Richer and Dr. Rivera are experienced in cosmetic dentistry and have performed countless successful procedures. The consultation is free, and you have nothing to lose. Give us a call and book yours today!

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