Dr. Kalil Abide and the Harmony Dental Care team is proud to offer the All-on-4® dental implant technique as an alternative to traditional implant-supported dentures for patients who are missing most or all of their natural teeth. Dental implants have long represented the superior treatment option for patients looking to restore form, function, and health to mouths affected by missing teeth. The only real disadvantage associated with traditional dental implants is that between six and ten of them were required per arch to secure a full set of dentures.
What this meant in practical terms is that many patients were not good candidates for dental implant surgery without first undergoing a bone grafting procedure. This was because their jawbones were not sufficiently dense to support six to ten dental implants. Even those patients who were good candidates had to go through an extremely lengthy and complex surgery in order to have their implants placed.
The All-on-4® dental implant technique addresses the issues created by traditional dental implants by requiring just four implants per arch to secure a set of dentures. Two of the implants are placed at a strategic angle to optimize bone-to-implant ratio, which allows Dr. Abide to perform dental implant surgery on candidates with less jawbone density than is possible with traditional implants. The procedure is quicker, more efficient, and less traumatic while producing outstanding results.
Are you a good candidate for the All-on-4® dental implant technique? To find out, schedule your initial consultation with Dr. Kalil Abide today.
Candidacy for All-on-4® Implant-supported Dentures
All-on-4® dental implants can be used to secure dentures on the upper arch, the lower arch, or both arches, depending on the patient’s needs. The treatment is potentially ideal for both current denture wearers and those who are being fitted for dentures for the first time. Current denture wearers make particularly good candidates as they will find that, unlike conventional dentures, All-on-4® implant-supported dentures will not slip or shift out of place. They emerge from treatment able to bite, chew, speak, and smile with renewed ease and confidence.
In general, candidates for All-on-4® should:
- Be missing most or all of their teeth on either or both arches: While dental implants can also be used to secure crowns and bridges, All-on-4® is a method used exclusively to secure full-arch dentures.
- Be in good enough health to undergo surgery: The placement of implants is a surgical procedure and, as such, does entail a certain degree of risk.
- Not smoke: Smoking is absolutely forbidden while recovering from surgery, and patients are strongly encouraged not to smoke after recovery. Smoking increases the risk of many oral health problems, including gum disease, which could cause implant failure.
- Have decent jawbone density: While All-on-4® requires less bone density than traditional implants, a certain amount of density is necessary to support the implants. Patients without sufficient bone density will have to undergo a bone grafting procedure prior to their All-on-4® procedure.
Find Out Whether You Are a Candidate for All-on-4®
To learn whether you are a candidate for All-on-4® treatment, please contact Harmony Dental Care today.