Understanding The Pros and Cons Of All-On-4 Dental Implants

If you are missing a significant number of teeth or you’re fed up with the hassles associated with dentures, you may be interested in All-on-4 dental implants or teeth in a day as they are also referred to. When it comes to restoring your smile and regaining your confidence, All-on-4 dental implants can be a game-changer. These innovative implants offer a range of benefits from fast treatment and speedy recovery to enhanced aesthetics and stability. Naturally, every dental treatment has its benefits and its downsides which is why this post discusses the pros and cons of All-on-4 dental implants, to help you decide if they’re right for you. But first, let’s explain how the All-on-4 technique works.

What are All-on-4 Dental Implants?

The All-on-4 dental implant technique utilizes just four dental implants to secure a complete arch of replacement teeth. The procedure involves the strategic placement of four dental implants into the jawbone, two at the front and two at the back, which are angled to maximize the use of existing bone and provide stability and support for the dental prosthesis.

Similar to traditional dental implants, patients will undergo comprehensive oral exams and scans to plan their treatment and ensure they are a good fit for the All-on-4 technique. However, unlike traditional implants, surgery, implant placement, and grafting (if needed) are completed in a single visit, and in most cases, patients are fitted with a temporary prosthesis so they leave with a full set of functioning teeth.

So now you understand more about All-on-4 implants, let’s jump into the benefits and downsides of this innovative technique.

The Pros and Cons of All-on-4 Dental Implants

All-on-4 Pros

There are many benefits associated with All-on-4 Dental Implants that relate directly to your oral health and indirectly to other aspects of your life. These include:

Highly successful

All-on-4 treatment stands out as a highly efficient dental procedure widely employed today. Extensive research has consistently revealed a remarkable patient success rate of around 94 percent even after a decade, while the prosthesis boasts an impressive survival rate of 98.8 percent, even extending to 18 years.

A permanent solution

One of the main benefits of All-on-4 implants is they provide a permanent solution to missing teeth, unlike conventional dentures or bridges that often need replacing one or more times in a person’s lifetime.

Full arch restoration

All-on-4 dental implants are designed to replace all of the teeth in the upper or lower jaw, or both arches, with a fixed bridge of natural-looking teeth, making it an ideal solution for those with significant tooth loss. Taking around two hours per arch and with the aid of local anesthesia, the treatment is minimally invasive meaning less discomfort and faster recovery.

Prevents bone loss

One of the most common effects of tooth loss is jaw degradation which ultimately affects the facial structures and gives patients a hollow, aged look. Like traditional implants, All-on-4 implants act as artificial tooth roots, stimulating the jawbone and promoting healthy growth, so a patient’s face looks more rounded and youthful.

Easier care and better hygiene

Caring for All-on-4 dental implants is as easy as caring for natural teeth simply with brushing, flossing, and regular visits to your dentist. Even better, patients can wave goodbye to removing their teeth at night and shelling out for costly, messy adhesives to help keep them in place during the day.

Improved self-confidence

All-on-4 dental implants restore a patient’s confidence by knowing their teeth are securely attached to their jawbone and won’t move around when they eat, talk or laugh. Furthermore, because their new teeth are considerably stronger and more stable than dentures, they can eat a greater variety of food enabling them to maintain a healthier diet.

These are just some of the many benefits of All-on-4, so what are the problems with All-on-4 dental implants?

All-on-4 cons

As with most dental restorations, there are potential downsides to the All-on-4 technique. These include:

High cost

Patients can expect to pay between $12,000 to $25,000 per jaw depending on the material they choose and the number of implants. (Some patients with significant bone loss may require 6 to 8 implants for added stability). While this may seem expensive, remember that this price includes surgery, anesthesia, and possible bone grafting and provides a permanent solution that could last your lifetime. Your insurance provider may cover some of the costs and we provide financing options too.

Speech difficulties

Some patients struggle to pronounce certain words or letters which can be caused by the teeth being placed too far forward or backward or from air flowing between the space between the gums and the prosthesis. Either problem can be fixed by the time we fit your permanent prosthesis and once your implants have fully integrated with the bone.

An implant can fail

Although it’s not that common, an implant can fail when the bone doesn't properly grow around it. It’s highly unlikely that all four implants will fail and if one does fail, a highly skilled implant dentist can replace it using computer-guided placement.

Not for everyone

 All-on-4 implants aren't suitable for everyone. If you have specific health conditions or require complex dental work, traditional implant-supported dentures or bridges might be a better fit.

The takeaway

While it's important to acknowledge that no medical solution is flawless, All-on-4 dental implants offer an impressive blend of affordability, exceptional aesthetics, swift treatment, minimal post-operative discomfort, and enduring outcomes.

So now you know the pros and cons of All-on-4 dental implants, we’re sure you’ll agree the benefits far outweigh the potential downsides of the treatment.

Want to know more?

Interested in learning more about All-on-4 dental implants? Explore our comprehensive All-on-4 implant services in Chesterfield, or simply reach out to Chesterfield Dentistry today at 314 936 3621 to schedule an appointment. Discover why this treatment could be the ideal choice for your dental needs.