In the past, the process of getting dental implants fitted could be a long, with several appointments carried out over a long time span. When using traditional dental implants it can take months for the implants to properly fuse with the jawbone, before the crown, bridge or denture restoration are even fitted. However, a newly developed system called All on 4 can cut down the time spent in the dentist’s chair dramatically, by using compact implants, fitted at a 45 degree angle, which are placed along with the restoration in just one sitting. Even better, patients who have lost all their teeth can replace a full arch with All on 4 implants, for both top and bottom jaws.
Having the implants fitted into the jawbone is an invasive and uncomfortable procedure, so anything that cuts down the number of incisions needed is better for the patient and the dentist. Once X-rays and moulds have been taken and false teeth have been chosen, they are manufactured and returned to the clinic ready to be fitted during your next appointment.
Of course, the patient will have to return for appointments to ensure that the implants have healed correctly, as well as their usual six-monthly check-ups, but this will keep you and your dental implants in the best of health.
All on 4 implants use only four implant screws to secure an entire set of false teeth. This is possible due to the special 45-degree alignment of the implants, which allows them to anchor a larger number of teeth, rather than using one implant and one painful incision per tooth. One of the best things about All on 4 is that there isn’t any need to wait for all the implant incisions to heal before the false teeth are secured. As soon as the dental implants are in place, the false teeth are fitted to the screws using dental bridges and the patient can leave the clinic with their new smile in place. Even patients with weak jawbones can be suitable for the All on 4 treatment, as the screws are fitted to the front of the jaw where the bone tends to be thicker, meaning that you are less likely to need a bone graft before getting the dental implants and false teeth fitted.