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There are many, very significant differences between All on 4 dental implants and removable dentures. In fact, the benefits and advantages of this sophisticated tooth replacement protocol are clear when you consider the bare fact that dental implants are fixed permanently in the mouth, whereas dentures are loose and need to be removed for cleaning and at nighttime. In our previous article post, the first installment of the series, we took a much closer look at the difference between these two technologies. In this article, however, we shall be moving on to address a few more of your frequently asked questions, starting with a closer look at how All on 4 dental implants actually work… FAQ: What is the “All on 4” protocol? Answer: Take a look at the picture above. This diagram essentially illustrates how the “All on 4” protocol works. A slim prosthetic dental bridge is attached to the jaw using four implants and four implants only. The anterior (front) two implants are inserted in a region of the mouth where there typically exists a greater volume of hard tissue that is more resistant to atrophy. The two posterior (back) implants are inserted at a very precise angle, which not only helps them gain more support for the bridge, but also ensures that they avoid damaging the nerve canal (lower jaw) or the sinus cavity (upper jaw); two vital oral structures. Once the implants have been surgically placed, the prosthodontist takes over and attaches a fully-customized, prosthetic dental bridge to the top of the implants and adjusted for bite fit and comfort. The patient will then be free to return home! FAQ: What’s the difference between All on 4 dental implants and traditional implant techniques? Answer: The important differences between the “All-on-4” and traditional dental implant techniques drive an average cost difference of $25,000 and, for more complex cases of oral rehabilitation, $45,000! Here’s why! - The “All-on-4” only requires four dental implants to be placed per jaw. Traditional implant techniques can require 6, 8 or even 10 implants per jaw (see image above). Using fewer implants is not only cheaper, but the rate of success is much higher.
- The “All-on-4” almost never requires more than one surgery to give a patient a brand new set of teeth. Traditional implant techniques require multiple placement surgeries, which translates into higher costs and more time spent in recovery
- The “All-on-4” typically avoids the need for bone grafting surgery, which is often necessary for patients who have lost a lot of bone volume in the jaw. This procedure is costly, invasive and requires several months of healing before oral rehabilitation can even begin.
Cutting the need for bone grafting out of the equation is a huge step forward in dental implantology and is essentially what makes it possible for patients to get all of their old and failing teeth (if any are left) replaced in a single day. It’s also what has opened up patient candidacy for oral rehabilitation in Houston, using dental implants. Even patients suffering from advanced jaw bone loss and periodontal disease are possible candidates for the All on 4. The same cannot be said for traditional dental implant procedures. Want to read more FAQ on All on 4 dental implants in Houston? Stay tuned for the third installment of this four-part series!
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