All-on-4 Dental Implants Houston
Faster & Easier Smile Repair
Some patients with extensive tooth loss have been told that due to bone loss in their jaw, they do not qualify for traditional implant dentures. Fortunately, many of those individuals do qualify for All-on-4 in Houston. This innovative and streamlined treatment can help almost anyone rebuild a full, strong, and confident smile with just four dental implants. The best part? You can probably undergo your implant surgery and get a beautiful temporary denture on the same day! Contact Piney Point Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery of Houston today to learn more about this remarkable procedure.
Why Choose Piney Point Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery of Houston for All-on-4 Dental Implants?
- Highly Skilled Oral Surgeons
- Comfortable, Efficient Treatment
- Rebuild Your Smile in Just One Day
How Do All-on-4 Dental Implants Work?
All-on-4 dental implants in Houston work by positioning prosthetic tooth roots (dental implants) so that they can be supported without any additional bone grafting. This dental technique works wonders for patients who are missing all of their teeth along either the upper or lower arch, and it can provide much-needed stability and security for your new smile.
As the name implies, the procedure requires the use of four dental implants. Two are placed toward the front of the jaw and two go toward the back at an angle, utilizing areas where the bone is naturally strong and thick. Immediately after the implants are in place, you’ll receive a temporary denture to go on top of them.
Am I a Candidate for All-on-4 Dental Implants?
Your implant dentist in Houston will help you determine whether All-on-4 is right for you. In general, candidates for this treatment:
- Have lost all or most of their teeth throughout a dental arch.
- Have adequate bone density to support dental implants. (Most patients meet this criterion, even without a bone graft.)
- Are well enough to undergo minor surgery and are free of gum disease.
- Are committed to taking excellent care of their oral health by sticking to a thorough oral hygiene routine and avoiding harmful habits, such as smoking.
The majority of patients who are interested in All-on-4 do qualify for it, either immediately or after some preparatory treatments.
What Are the Benefits of All-on-4 Dental Implants?
Some of the top benefits of All-on-4 include:
- Simple maintenance. An All-on-4 denture is permanently secured in the mouth, which means you can care for it similarly to how you would care for natural teeth.
- A strong bite force. All-on-4 dentures are able to handle almost any food.
- A natural appearance. All-on-4 dentures are designed to look and feel as similar to natural teeth as possible.
- Jawbone preservation. Because dental implants stimulate the jawbone, they can prevent much of the deterioration that normally occurs after tooth loss.
- Long Lifespan. Dental implants have the potential to last for many decades.
All-on-4 vs. Traditional Dental Implants
The streamlined nature of All-on-4 treatment makes it faster and less costly than traditional full-arch tooth replacement. It is also less invasive because it typically requires just one surgery, while traditional procedure may require two or more. And while traditional implants usually require a waiting period before restoration, All-on-4 implants are paired with a denture right away.
Of course, there are instances where traditional treatment is preferrable. For example, placing more implants may lend greater stability to your denture, and while All-on-4 is only good for full-arch replacement, traditional implants can replace any number of missing teeth. Your oral surgery team will help you determine which type of implant procedure is best for you.
All-on-4 Dental Implant FAQs
Are All-on-4 dental implants covered by insurance?
Dental insurance policies vary greatly in whether or not they cover dental implants in Houston. Some provide partial coverage, while others provide none. In some cases, medical insurance can be used for dental implants.
Even if your dental insurance does not apply to the implants themselves, it might reduce your out-of-pocket costs for other parts of your tooth replacement journey, such as your All-on-4 denture.
Our team welcomes insurance, and we will do all we can to help you understand your coverage and use it in a way that minimizes the financial stress of your treatment plan.
What foods can you eat after getting All-on-4 dental implants?
Even though you will receive a temporary denture right after your implant placement surgery, that does not mean you can eat whatever you want right away. Rather, you will need to be careful to protect your healing mouth from irritation. We advise a soft diet, which can include things like yogurt, mashed potatoes, meal replacement shakes, and other items that require little to no chewing.
As you heal, you can start to consume tougher foods. Once your permanent denture is in place, it should be strong enough to handle virtually anything you would like to eat, including items that are off-limits for traditional, non-implant dentures.
Do All-on-4 dental implants take a long time to heal?
The All-on-4 surgery requires only four incision sites, making it less invasive than some traditional dental implant approaches.
Most patients find that their soft oral tissues are well-recovered within two weeks or so; you can encourage efficient healing by sticking to a soft diet and following other post-op instructions. The bone takes longer to heal. It could be 3 – 6 months before your implant posts are fully bonded with the surrounding hard tissue. For most of that time, you should not have any discomfort.
Are All-on-4 dental implants removable?
The implants themselves are not removable. They are bonded with the jawbone and can only be removed via surgical procedure.
The denture that will get attached to the implants is also meant to stay in your mouth 24/7. In fact, it is only removable by a trained dental professional. Many patients enjoy the convenience of being able to treat their All-on-4 denture almost exactly like they would treat natural teeth.
Does food get stuck under All-on-4 dentures?
There is a small gap between an All-on-4 denture and your gum tissue. While this will not affect your smile’s natural appearance, it does require a bit of a modification to your oral hygiene routine. To keep this space clean and free of food debris, we recommend that you use a water flosser to clean it. A small interdental brush might also be effective.
During your routine cleanings with your general dentist, your hygienist can remove your All-on-4 denture and thoroughly clean around your implants. To maintain optimal implant health, it is important that you do not skip these appointments.
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