Are All-on-4 Dental Implants Right for You?

You may have seen advertisements for hybrid denture options that offer a natural-looking smile with dental implants. There have been many denture-dental implant combinations used over the years to offer the support of implants to secure dentures in place, but each has its own pros and cons. All-on-4 dental implants are one of the latest innovations, which combines a hybrid denture with only four dental implants to hold it permanently in place. At Hollon Dental, we are excited to offer this option to our patients; but is it right for you?

How Do All-on-4 Dental Implants Work?

Many implant-supported dentures or overdentures use dental implants to secure dentures in place. Most of these require 5-8 implants to support and connect the denture to the jaw. With All-on-4 dental implants, only four implants are used, reducing costs and the invasiveness of the procedure. The specialized technique used with All-on-4 requires less bone density to support the implants. This allows more patients to qualify for this procedure, even if they have had some bone loss in the jaw.

All-on-4 dental implants are inserted with oral surgery. We offer sedation dentistry while the procedure is performed to allow our patients to relax and rest while we place the implants. Our 3D imaging allows for precise implant placement for the best results. Once the implants are in place and healed, a permanent hybrid denture is screwed in place onto the four implants. The hybrid denture looks more like natural teeth than traditional dentures, with no plate covering the roof of the mouth.

Are You a Good Candidate for All-on-4?

Anyone who has lost the majority of their teeth may be a good candidate for All-on-4 dental implants, but there are some restrictions. Dental implants require enough bone density in the jawbone to support the implants and new dentures. The amount of bone needed for All-on-4 is less than full mouth reconstruction with implants or some of the other implant-supported denture options. Dr. Hollon or Dr. Forehand can perform a thorough exam to determine if All-on-4 implant dentures are right for you. We offer bone grafting for those who need more bone density to support their implants and other advanced restorative options.

All-on-4 dental implants offer a permanent smile restoration option with improved function and a natural appearance. The new teeth are permanently fixed in place and will not slip or fall out like traditional dentures. If you are interested in learning more about All-on-4 dental implants and whether they could be right for you, contact us at Hollon Dental in Mobile. Our team can schedule a consultation with one of our dentists to determine the best way to restore your smile.