Nobody wants to go through life with missing teeth. Thankfully, dental implants provide a secure, comfortable, and long-lasting way to fill any gaps in your smile, offering functional as well as esthetic restoration. Furthermore, some patients may qualify for All-on-4 dental implants, which can be an even more convenient replacement for missing teeth.
At Periodontal Associates, our providers have ample experience utilizing dental implants of all kinds, including the All-on-4 technique. As you seek to learn more about tooth replacement options, we welcome you to contact us at our Charleston, SC practice.
What Are All-on-4 Dental Implants?
First, it may be helpful to define what the All-on-4 method is. All-on-4 refers to a full set of dental implants designed to replace either the entire upper arch of teeth or the entire lower arch. All-on-4 is often a good option for patients who are dealing with significant tooth loss and who want an alternative to conventional dentures.
Traditionally, a dental implant is a small titanium screw, which is inserted into the jaw where it acts as an artificial root, replacing the tooth root you lost. Once the implant heals in place, fusing with the surrounding jaw bone to provide greater stability, your periodontist will attach an artificial replacement tooth.
What sets All-on-4 apart is that there is no need to replace every single lost root. Instead, the periodontist will add just four implants to the mouth, which can serve as the foundation for a permanent solution. In other words, you only need four implants per arch to replace all of your teeth. All-on-4 is not only a simple surgical option, but it helps ensure that the end result looks completely natural and seamless.
What are the Benefits of All-on-4 Dental Implants?
While All-on-4 dental implants are not necessarily recommended for everyone, they can offer some significant benefits. A few advantages to All-on-4 dental implants include:
- Allowing you to replace an entire set of teeth in a single day with a single surgery.
- The implants secure the prosthesis to your mouth, meaning the teeth will not shift, as with traditional dentures.
- Most patients will not need bone grafting in order to have All-on-4 performed.
- All-on-4 is typically a more affordable option than traditional dental implants.
If you have any additional questions about the benefits of All-on-4 or your eligibility for this treatment option, we welcome you to contact us at Periodontal Associates in Charleston, SC.
Meet Your Periodontal Surgeons
Periodontal Associates is a longstanding practice serving the Charleston and North Charleston areas, assisting patients with gum disease treatment, dental implants, bone grafting, and more. Our providers are known not only for their clinical acumen but also for their commitment to friendly, approachable patient care. To learn more about our providers, we invite you to check out Dr. Christopher J. Caputo and Dr. Edward T. Murphy’s individual bios.
Rehabilitate Your Smile with All-on-4 Dental Implants.
For those faced with significant tooth loss, All-on-4 implants can be an outstanding option. This popular treatment methodology allows you to restore your smile with minimal invasion and a shorter recovery time than traditional implants. Questions about All-on-4? Reach out to Periodontal Associates today. We would love to tell you more about this treatment.
All-on-4 Dental Implants FAQs
For those who have never heard of All-on-4 dental implants, it is perfectly natural to have some questions. We are happy to answer any queries directly and welcome you to contact our practice at any time. In the meantime, here are some of the most common questions we receive.
-
How Long Will All-on-4 Dental Implants Last?
Dental implants themselves are intended to be permanent; once they heal into place, they are not taken out. By practicing basic oral hygiene, you can ensure your implants ideally last a lifetime. The dental prostheses placed on the implants may eventually need to be replaced, but with regular brushing and flossing, you can usually keep your artificial teeth for anywhere from 10 to 20 years.
-
Does Getting All-on-4 Dental Implants Hurt?
Some patients are concerned that getting implants will be painful. This is a perfectly understandable concern, but we will reassure you that patient comfort is one of our top priorities. As such, we can offer a range of sedation options to help our patients remain pain-free during the surgery.
-
How Long Does it Take to Recover?
With traditional implants, the recovery time may be up to three months. All-on-4 patients typically recover quite a bit sooner; the implants may fuse with the bone in a matter of weeks. And, most patients feel more or less “back to normal” within a week of their procedure.
Find Out More About All-on-4 Dental Implants in Charleston, SC
Patients can experience tooth loss for any number of reasons. It is always important to address tooth loss as promptly as possible, and All-on-4 can make that easy. To learn more about getting All-on-4 dental implants in Charleston, SC, we welcome you to contact Periodontal Associates today.