What are all-on-four implants or implant retained bridges?
All-on-four implant retained bridges are the best option to replace your teeth when you either have no teeth or all your teeth need to be replaced. It's where we put in multiple implants. All-on-four refers to having four implants and all the teeth on top of them. Here we call them all-on-X because we try to put in at least four implants, maybe even more. Other common terms are implant retained fixed bridges or implant fixed dentures.
What are the pros and cons of all-on-fours?
The pro of all-on-fours is that you will have teeth that stay in permanently. Other benefits include a wonderful appearance, improved speech, ability to eat hard foods like steak and corn on the cob, and an open roof of the mouth. The cons of all-on-four implants are mostly the price and the amount of surgery involved. The price of all-on-four or implant retained bridges is usually at the higher end in dentistry.
Who is a good candidate for all-on-four implants or implant retained teeth?
More people now are candidates than they used to be. One issue with implants is how much bone is in our mouth. As we lose teeth, the bone unfortunately goes away, and sometimes there's not enough bone for the implants. Luckily, we have new ways now to use the existing bone by tilting the implants and finding a good spot.
When would I not be a good candidate for all-on-four implants?
You may not be a good candidate if you have severe bone loss and not enough areas for us to anchor some implants. It could also be that you have some medical history issues.
What steps are involved in all-on-four procedures?
When everything lines up right, we're able to do everything in one day. We can take out the teeth, place the implants, and then we either deliver teeth that day or within 24 hours.
What anesthesia options will be available to me during my all-on-four procedure?
We offer everything from just normal Novocaine to having a board-certified dental anesthesiologist who can put you to sleep.
How long does it take to heal from getting all-on-four dental implants?
It's variable, but patients often do well with the healing process. For some, it might be a day to a day and a half of pain, and then we always prescribe the appropriate pain control to help you through that process.
How long do all-on-fours last?
Just like anything else, it depends on the maintenance. If I see my patients for appropriate maintenance, the all-on-four could last quite a long time.
What is the cost to receive all-on-four implants?
It's usually a great range. So, it's difficult to quote somebody over the phone or over video. We always welcome our patients, potential patients, to come in for a free scan, and we go over exactly how the plan will work for each patient.
Will insurance help with the cost of all-on-fours?
It's a very loaded question. As many people know, dental insurance is not the greatest. They tend not to pay for things like we'd want them to be.
How can I schedule to discuss getting all-on-four dental implants?
You can call us at (518) 868-6900, or you can go right on our website, https://www.salvatoredental.com. You can also contact us through our Facebook or Instagram pages, send us a message.