All-on-4 dental implant procedure is a two-phase surgical procedure in which four dental implants are surgically placed into the jaw, after which a custom abutment and temporary or permanent denture are attached. The primary benefit of the All-on-4 treatment plan is that it can replace a full arch of teeth in one surgical session.
The primary drawback is that patients will have one temporary set of teeth.
The first phase of All-on-4, called the surgery placement phase, occurs when four dental implants are surgically placed into the jaw. The second phase, called the denture attachment phase, happens after healing has occurred and includes attaching a new abutment to the dental implants and fitting a new set of teeth (denture) to the abutments.
The surgery placement phase- The surgery placement phase begins when the dentist surgically places four dental implants in your jaw throughout two appointments.
“Drill, Fill & Tap”- During this procedure, the dentist will first use a drill to create a channel in the jawbone, which is then filled with bone graft material and allowed to set. The dentist will then tap the four dental implants into place and cover each implant with a temporary cap until we can place permanent caps once the patient’s bone has fully healed. This could take several months.
The denture attachment phase- The second phase begins when the bone has healed and can support a denture. The permanent caps are removed, along with any temporary components used in surgery. A new abutment is then attached to each of the dental implants, and a new set of teeth (customized) is fitted to the abutments and held in place by the implants.
The All-on-4 dental implant procedure is commonly used to replace an entire arch of teeth in one session. Implant-Supported Dentures, on the other hand, are more commonly used when there are not enough teeth left on either or both arches to support a complete denture, allowing for some teeth to be retained.
3 Steps in All-on-4 Dental Implant Procedure
● Consultation
● Implant surgery
● Healing
Consultation
- You will have a consultation with your dentist or periodontist to discuss if you are a candidate for dental implants.
- You and your dentist or periodontist will talk about how to keep the disease from advancing.
- When you go to the dentist, your dentist will examine teeth for cavities and other problems. If there are any issues, you may need a filling or a root canal.
Implant surgery
During your first appointment, your doctor will place four dental implants into your upper jaw and four implants in the lower jaw. Two implants will be placed on the top and the other two on the bottom. These implants will act as anchors for your abutments, which are metal support posts that will hold your denture in place. A tooth-colored crown (cap) is placed on each of these abutments to protect them until they fuse with the jawbone.
Healing
- Each dental implant is made up of three pieces. Two are placed into the jaw, and one is for your crown (cap).
- The dentist will use x-rays to see where the implants are in your jawbone.
- Your doctor will give you antibiotic medicine before the surgery. You may also take pain medicine before or after surgery.
- If your jaw is numb, you may still feel pain.
- Your gums will be sore for several days after surgery. You can eat normally but should take it easy for the first few days.
- After about 2 weeks, take your stitches out at your doctor’s office or clinic. You may have to go back before your appointment to ensure your implants are healing properly.
- During the healing phase, you will be required to take antibiotics and pain medication as recommended by your doctor or periodontist. The swelling should go down after about one week. You can also use ice packs to help reduce any bruising or swelling. Your doctor may give you specific instructions on how to clean your mouth.
- Over the next few months, you will need regular dental appointments to monitor how well your implants healed and make sure the permanent crowns (caps) are on correctly.
- Once your bone fuses with the implant (usually takes about three months), you can go back for two more visits to get your final crown (cap) placed. At this point, you’re finished!
- Be sure to follow your dentist’s instructions on caring for your teeth and gums after surgery. This will help ensure that the implant stays healthy and lasts long.
- Don’t smoke or drink alcohol while you are healing. These activities can affect how well implants heal.
- You may be able to go back to your regular activities after a few days. But you should not bend, twist or lift anything heavy for 4-6 weeks after surgery.
Is All-on-4 Dental Process Safe?
- Possible Complications
- Blood clots in the mouth or jaw
- Allergic reaction to anaesthesia
- Damage to nerves or other teeth
- Abscesses, which are pockets of infection around the implant(s)
- Infection caused by bacteria in your mouth getting under your gums and through your implants
Afterwards, there may be some discomfort for a short time. You can use over-the-counter pain medicines to ease any pain. Your doctor should discuss with you whether or not antibiotics are needed before surgery. Some medications that thin the blood (such as aspirin) should be stopped at least one week before surgery because they could increase bleeding during procedures.
Cost of All-on-4 process
Patients may get a lot of information about dental implants and the All-on-4 process, but there is one common question that they fail to ask: “How much does all on 4 dental implants cost?
All-on-4 dental implant procedure surgery price depends on the dentist and the hospital you choose. We will try to give you an average estimate here:
- All-on-4 procedure for the lower jaw
- Price range in US : $5,000 – $11,000
- Average total price around the US: $7,500
- All-on-4 procedure for the upper jaw
- Price range in the US: $6,000 – $13,000 Average total price around the US: $9,000
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does the All-on-4 process take?
It takes 4-5 months to complete the process, from the first appointment to the final placement of the permanent denture. It depends on your situation, but most likely, titanium alloy is used for your implants.
Many of today’s dental implants are made up of titanium alloy. Titanium is a metal that has been used in medicine for many years, and it is primarily known for being extremely strong and durable. For this reason, it works well as the base material for dental implants.
How long is the healing process for All-on-4 dental implants?
It takes about three months for your bone to grow around the titanium implant posts. This is where the name “osseointegration” comes in. As you heal, your jawbone will grow into and around the metal posts until they are securely attached.
Can All-on-4 implants be done in one day?
No, the All-on-4 implant procedure takes four to five months total.
The majority of dental implants today are made out of titanium. This is a metal that has been used in medicine for many years, and it is primarily known for being extremely strong and durable. For this reason, it works well as the base material for dental implants.
How are dental implants done step by step?
Once you’re officially a candidate for All-on-4 dental implants, the first step is to take X-rays of your jaw and teeth. This determines if you have enough bone density for implants and how well your teeth are positioned in your jaw. Your dentist may recommend having a CT scan or 3-D imaging to get more detailed information.
The next step is surgery. Some people are put under general anaesthesia during their procedure, which means they are completely asleep throughout the whole thing. If you are not sedated at all, then local anaesthesia will be used instead – this means you’ll be numb from the waist down so that you won’t feel any pain.
Once the surgery is over, the rest of your recovery time can take as little as a few days or as long as several months, depending on how well the implants heal and fuse with your jawbone.
After surgery, you will need to return for regular dental appointments to monitor how well your implants healed and ensure the permanent crowns (caps) are on correctly. You’ll also have to see your dentist or specialist about twice a year after that so they can check if everything looks good and healthy.
Final Verdict
If you are considering dental implants, be sure to give yourself enough time for the entire process. The timeline may vary depending on your specific situation, but it is best to plan for at least four months from your first appointment until you have your final denture in place.
Keep in mind that titanium alloy is a strong and reliable material that will help ensure the success of your dental implants. Are you ready to get started? Call us at 214-731-0123 to book your appointment.
