Studies suggest that about 4% of Australian adults are edentulous (or lacking teeth). There are various reasons why people may be missing teeth, but all of them result in a smile that many find embarrassing.
Everyone deserves to be proud of their smile. That’s why all-on-4 dental implants are increasing in popularity.
But what are all-on-4 dental implants, and what makes them a better option than other forms of cosmetic dentistry for people with missing teeth? Read on to learn more.
What Are All-on-4 Dental Implants?
All-on-4 dental implants are just one of several types of dental implant procedures. They’re an excellent solution for anyone who is missing most (or all) of their teeth.
With traditional dental implants, you would need to get an implant to replace each of your teeth. While this is a good solution for someone who is only missing one or several teeth, it would be a time-consuming and unnecessarily painful process for someone who’s missing almost all of their teeth.
Getting a full mouth of individual dental implants would also be needlessly expensive.
All-on-4 dental implants attach with four metal implants (or eight in total, four for the bottom row and four for the top row). This minimizes your healing time, the length of your procedure, and overall discomfort but still yields fantastic results.
The new “teeth” that are attached to the implants look natural, so no one will ever know that they’re not real!
What Are the Benefits of All-on-4 Dental Implants?
So why would you choose to get all-on-4 dental implants instead of leaving your mouth as-is or getting dentures? We already talked about the benefits that all-on-4 implants have over traditional implants for people who are missing multiple teeth. Here are a few more reasons why we think this is one of the best options for people looking to get a smile makeover.
Immediate Results
All-on-4 implants are quick and easy.
You will have to have several appointments. You’ll have a consultation, and then you’ll have the actual procedure.
This may seem like a lot of time, but compare it to the alternatives.
If you get dentures, you still have to wait for them to be made. If you get individual dental implants, you have much lengthier procedures, and you still have to go through a healing period before each “tooth” can be placed.
As soon as you get your new teeth, you leave your appointment with your ideal smile that looks real. You won’t believe the difference that it can make.
Food Flexibility
Everyone knows that when you have missing teeth, eating can be a challenge. In theory, dentures should make it easier, but you’ll still have food limitations.
With all-on-4 dental implants, you don’t have to restrict your food or modify your diet. After your healing period is over, you can eat all of your favourite foods regardless of how hard or chewy they are.
A note: try to avoid foods that stain. You can’t get dental implants professionally whitened, so you must take extra care to avoid discolouring them.
No More Talking Trouble
Talking can also be difficult for people with traditional dentures. No matter how well your dentures fit, they can slide around and make it difficult to speak clearly.
At first, you may struggle to speak while adjusting to your new dental implants. However, you will adjust quickly, and your speech should return to normal (or even better than before you lost your teeth).
Greater Confidence
If you feel insecure about your (missing) teeth, all-on-4 dental implants can really restore your confidence.
Your smile is one of the first things that people notice about you. You want to be able to show it off with pride and confidence, right? All-on-4 dental implants give you a picture-perfect superstar smile that’s even better than the one you had before you lost your natural teeth.
You won’t feel the need to cover your mouth while laughing or smiling anymore. You may even feel the urge to smile at strangers while you walk around town!
Better Oral Health
Dental implants may actually improve your oral health.
First, having missing teeth is bad for your bone health. It can result in bone loss, which is why some people have a “sunken” appearance after losing teeth.
Your tooth roots stabilize and strengthen your jawbone. Without those roots, your jaw is at risk. Metal implants replace your tooth roots!
You can also treat dental implants just as you would your natural teeth. You don’t have to remove, clean and soak them as you do with dentures. Instead, you brush, floss, and use mouthwash.
This makes it easier to maintain a happy and healthy smile.
What Happens During the Dental Implant Process?
You’ll start with a complete exam and consultation to make sure that all-on-4 dental implants are the best choice for you. This will typically include digital scans, x-rays, and a general oral health checkup.
The cosmetic dentist will talk to you about your goals and discuss different aspects of the procedure, such as the cost, healing time, and expected results.
After you commit to the procedure, the dentist will take various measurements, including bite measurements, to ensure that the new “teeth” fit perfectly in the mouth. They’ll then schedule your surgery.
The dentist will drill holes into your mouth for the implants during the surgery. They’ll replace the gum tissue and close any remaining incisions. They’ll then place the abutments.
They’ll place a temporary set of “teeth” while you heal. After the healing process (which can take several months), you’ll receive your permanent “teeth.”
Are All-on-4 Dental Implants Right for You?
All-on-4 dental implants can be an excellent solution for anyone missing most or all of their teeth. The implants have a natural appearance, and you’ll be able to treat them just like natural teeth.
You can get your smile back with dental implants.
At Adelaide Cosmetic Dentistry, we offer a wide variety of cosmetic dental services so you can get the smile of your dreams. Contact us to set up an appointment today.
