The American College of Prosthodontists says, “According to epidemiological studies, it is estimated that 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth and about 40 million Americans are missing all of their teeth. As we age, the problem gets worse
as 30 percent of adults between 65-74 years old have no natural teeth.“
For adults with no natural teeth, a new and innovative tooth implant procedure may be a good option. The average cost of all-on-four dental implants is high, but they are well worth the investment.
In some cases, dentures are a good option. That’s especially true if the patient has little bone mass remaining in the jaw.
But in most other cases, all-on-four implants are a much better choice. Dr. Stone essentially fashions dental bridges and then uses four titanium implant posts to secure them into place.
This procedure has some significant advantages. First, unlike dentures, dental implants never slip out of place. Moreover, unlike dentures, dental implants are also easy to care for. You brush them just like your natural teeth, and they are completely impervious to bacteria. Second, the titanium posts eliminate that sunken-face look which comes with tooth loss, so all-on-four patients get free facelifts in addition to top-quality dental implants.
How Do All-on-Four Implants Work?
These complete teeth replacements are a bit like a combination of a dental bridge and a dental implant. But whereas a dental bridge supplements existing teeth and makes your smile look better, all-on-four implants replaces missing teeth. Dr. Stone uses the aforementioned titanium rods as artificial tooth roots. As outlined below, this streamlined procedure is much more cost-effective than individual implants.
At first, Dr. Stone will place temporary crowns on top of the titanium rods. Osseointegration (bone growth around the rods) usually takes a few weeks. After this process is complete, the rods will be more than strong enough to hold the full implants.
What is the Average Cost of All-on-Four Dental Implants?
Adults have thirty-two teeth in their mouths. At between $1,000 and $3,000 per implant, if Dr. Stone replaced all the teeth with a separate implant, the cost might be staggering. However, the average cost of all-on-four implants is usually much lower. Instead of thirty-two titanium rods, Dr. Stone only needs to use eight (four for the bottom and four for the top). This surgical procedure is usually the most expensive step in the dental implant process, so the savings here is significant.
Other factors may affect the actual cost of all-on-four implants. These factors include any other work which Dr. Stone needs to do, such as bone grafting, as well as the location of the dental office. Generally, prosthodontic work is more expensive in urban areas than in small towns.
If you need radical mouth reconstruction work, all-on-four implants may be the permanent, low-maintenance, and cost-effective method you need. To see what Dr. John Stone and his top professional staff can do for you, contact Best Dental Associates in Ft. Lauderdale for your initial consultation.