When traditional dentures fail you, it’s time you consider a more stable teeth replacement option. Durable and lasting dental replacements are necessary, especially if you have full arches of missing teeth. The American Academy of Implant Dentistry recommends an All-on-4® procedure for this type of dental need. If you are considering it, learn what to expect from this treatment to help you prepare for your appointment. Here are the details. 

What to Expect

About 36 million Americans lose all their teeth, while about 120 million have at least one tooth missing. An All-on-4® restoration is ideal for replacing at least one tooth. It may sound intimidating, but the process is simple. Here are the things you should expect on your All-on-4 appointment:

A consultation will allow your dentist to see what your needs are. Expect a complete physical dental examination of your mouth. Your dentist will order dental X-rays to inspect your hidden dental structures. Talk to your dentist about your medical and dental histories. 

List down the medications and supplements that you take. The information that your dentist gathers will determine if you are a good candidate for an All-on-4 procedure. You can then expect your dentist to schedule your treatment if you qualify.

The implant placement will follow. Your dentist will sedate you first, so it is important to ask someone to drive you home that day. When the sedative takes effect, the dentist will extract your remaining teeth. Your dentist will cut through the gum tissue and drill implant holes into specific areas of your jawbone. 

Placing the titanium rods will come next. These will merge with your jawbone and gums. This will take months; after the integration, your dentist will place the connectors. There will be temporary dentures until the lab finishes the permanent ones.

Expect to go through some healing before achieving full recovery. Right after your All-on-4 procedure, take at least 72 hours of complete rest. Place an ice pack on the swelling areas of the cheek. Your dentist will prescribe pain relievers and antibiotics to help you manage the discomfort. 

Your titanium rods will need three to six months to integrate with the jawbone. This will complete your healing. A soft diet is necessary to prevent you from putting pressure on your implants. Once the healing is complete, your dentist will replace the temporary dentures with permanent ones. 

The Benefits

People with severe dental damage or tooth loss can have an All-on-4 procedure. Patients who have jawbone loss are also good candidates. Here are the benefits that you can get from an All-on-4 dental replacement:
 

• permanent dentures look like natural teeth

• prevent jawbone loss

• easy to maintain

• help you achieve better dental health

• allow you to enjoy the foods that you love

• the implant procedure is faster

Understanding what to expect from an All-on-4 procedure can help you prepare for it in advance. At SmileOn Dentistry, we guide our patients through their dental procedures so they can achieve good dental health.

For more on the All-On-4 implant procedure, visit SmileOn Dentistry at our office in Marina Del Rey, California. Call (310) 822-0202 to book an appointment today.