All-on-4 Dental Implants: Pros and Cons

By age 50, the average American has lost twelve teeth. Much of that tooth loss is wisdom teeth and other natural tooth loss. But some of it is also unnatural tooth loss. The issue is especially acute in the arch region. The front teeth are much more prone to trauma injury than back teeth.

As recently as the 1990s, dentures were basically the only option for missing front teeth. These artificial teeth are still a good choice in many cases. Next, along came dental implants and mini-dental implants. Now, all-on-4 dental implants are the next big thing. But are they right for you?

Common Issues with All-on-4 Dental Implants

Like all implants, all-on-4s take some getting used to. During this process, many people go through the same issues. Speech is a good example. Since Dr. Stone must usually reinforce some bone, implants can feel slightly bulkier than natural teeth. As they talk, most people do not notice the difference, unless they already have a speech impediment. These individuals may have problems with some consonants, most notably Ds, Ns, and Ts.

Within a few weeks, most people are used to the new feel of their all-on-4 dental implants. So, speech issues and other issues often go away rather quickly.

Benefits of All-on-4 Dental Implants

Let’s face it. No one really likes to go to the dentist. So a compressed timetable is one of the biggest benefits of all-on-4 implants. Dr. Stone places one set of four implants on the top arch and/or one set on the bottom arch. Almost immediately, osseointegration (natural bone growth around the implant roots) begins. After a few weeks, the process is mostly complete. Dr. Stone then replaces the temporary crowns with permanent ones.

All-on-4 dental implants are also much more cost-effective for people who have lost most of their teeth. However, individual dental implants may be a better option in some cases. So, the initial consultation is very important in implant cases.

Implants are also much more low-maintenance than dentures. Implants look and act like natural teeth. They require no special cleaning and no special attention. Perhaps best of all, implants require no adhesives and almost never have fit or feel issues.

Now for the big one, at least as far as many patients are concerned. All-on-4 dental implants usually last a lifetime. This means fewer repeat dental visits, and we all like that.

All-on-4 dental implants are more than just cosmetic. They promote better oral health. Given all these benefits, you need to call Best Dental Associates today. Dr. John Stone has been taking good care of people in Ft. Lauderdale for almost forty years, and he’ll take good care of you as well.