All-on-4 Implants in Schaumburg, IL
If you are experiencing tooth loss or severe decay, All-on-4® implants could be the right solution. Trying to eat or speak with significant gaps in your mouth can be challenging and may cause you to avoid social situations. The All-on-4 implant treatment involves mounting all replacement teeth to four dental implants on the top and bottom of your mouth.
Why Patients Should Consider All-on-4 Implants
Instead of waiting several months to attach false teeth to the implants, patients can get them attached the same day. The process takes a shorter amount of time because it does not require bone grafts or a large number of implants. The All-on-4 implant gives the patient natural-looking teeth and helps them feel comfortable chewing, speaking, and socializing.
When patients are missing only a few teeth, treatments such as partial dentures, bridges, or traditional dental implants may be a better fit. However, people who come to our office for All-on-4 implants either have no teeth or their teeth are failing. Also, a bone graft may not be recommended if a patient has certain health conditions, and this treatment may be a safer choice.
Causes and Effects of Tooth Loss
According to WebMD, tooth loss is a common but not inevitable part of aging. Tooth loss can occur from an accident, such as a slip or fall that knocks out one or more teeth. Injuries such as hard blows to the face from playing sports or being involved in a vehicle accident could dislodge teeth as well. Over time, excessive decay or gum disease can compromise a tooth’s structure and effectiveness. Teeth may wear down or fall out, or a dental professional may have to pull them.
Extreme tooth decay can cause severe pain and irritation. Aesthetically, a toothless smile can have emotional implications for a patient. Other effects of missing or damaged teeth include:
- Sensitivity to certain foods and beverages: When a patient has large cavities or failing teeth, consuming hot or cold food and drinks can be challenging.
- Discomfort in the gum area: Patients with no teeth may have trouble eating and speaking. Some may find wearing a complete set of dentures less comfortable.
- Social discomfort: Patients who are missing teeth may avoid smiling or even being out in social settings.
All of these effects can significantly impact a person’s quality of life. Luckily, there are many tooth replacement options. Our team can help patients determine if All-on-4 is the right solution.
How the All-on-4 Implant Treatment Works
Replacing the top or bottom arch of teeth with standard dental implants would require an implant for each tooth. Alternatively, All-on-4 uses just four implants to replace the top or bottom row of teeth. The treatment works even if the patient has no teeth at all. As explained in this article by the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, the four implants support the entire arch of replacement teeth. Also, this treatment does not require bone grafting. The implants will fuse with the existing bone and become part of the jaw. Because some of the implants are set at an angle, they are longer and offer more support.
All-on-4 implant treatment is similar to getting regular implants. However, the procedure and recovery time is faster. First, Dr. Aristodemo will take impressions and X-rays and send those to a lab. At a subsequent appointment, our staff will use a local anesthetic to numb the patient and may have to remove any remaining damaged teeth. Then, Dr. Aristodemo will insert screws into four places in the upper and lower jaw. These titanium anchors will help support the artificial teeth throughout the mouth.
After the Procedure
Our team will send you home with specific aftercare instructions that you should follow for proper healing and prevention of infection. Instructions commonly include brushing with a soft bristle toothbrush, sleeping with your head elevated, and eating only soft foods. Immediately following the procedure, you may be sore, have swelling, and light bleeding. As always, call our office immediately if these symptoms get worse rather than subside.
Patients should maintain proper care of the implants and their oral health. Just as with natural teeth, patients must continue brushing and flossing daily. Regular dental checkups are essential. Dr. Aristodemo should routinely examine the implants and artificial teeth to ensure everything looks the way it should.
Explore More About All-on-4 Implants
If you’re ready to see if All-on-4 might solve your tooth loss problems, contact Happy Smiles Family Dentistry to schedule your free consultation today. The smile of your dreams may be just a phone call away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Full mouth extractions may be necessary for various reasons. Individuals who experience excessive or total tooth loss are ideal candidates for complete tooth replacement treatments. Severe tooth loss primarily occurs because of severe infection or decay. It can also occur due to gum disease, trauma, bone loss, or abscess.
We may recommend a full-mouth extraction to prepare patients for complete dentures. The best treatment option for a patient depends on several factors, such as lifestyle choices, diet, the extent of jawbone deterioration, and budget. We can assess each patient’s individual needs and circumstances to recommend the optimal solution.
For dentures, especially those replacing a full set of teeth, there are two common options: implant-supported and removable. As the names imply, the former use implants in your jawbone and are fixed in place, whereas the latter can be taken out.
There are many benefits to choosing implant-supported dentures. In particular, patients surveyed often felt implant-supported dentures were more comfortable than standard dentures. Many patients also report benefiting from fixed dentures using implants because they feel similar to natural teeth. They can eat with them and brush like normal. If cared for properly, implant-supported dentures can be a permanent solution to missing teeth.
However, implant-supported dentures have some drawbacks. They require a more extensive procedure for their placement than traditional dentures. Additionally, removable dentures do not always stay firmly in place. They often need to be adjusted to ensure a continued correct fit.
Dental implants act as artificial tooth roots to support new replacement teeth. During the procedure, an incision is made in the patient’s gum to expose the bone where the implant will be placed. We will then insert the implant and suture the gum around the implant post. In some cases, a temporary denture is used instead of replacement teeth.
Following the surgery, the bone needs to heal around the dental implant. This process can take several weeks or months. Once it is sufficiently strong, a dentist can fit the permanent replacement teeth. According to the Mayo Clinic, some extra steps may be necessary. For patients with weak jawbones, a bone graft may be needed to ensure sufficient strength. After the bone has healed, an abutment connects a crown or dentures to the dental implant.
Scaling and Root Planing
The dentist may recommend scaling and root planing to treat gingivitis and other forms of gum disease. While this procedure is similar to the scaling the hygienist performs on teeth during a regular checkup, the focus is not only on the surface of the teeth around the gums but also underneath the gums. Scaling and root planing goes beneath the gumline to remove buildup. In some cases, a patient may be referred to another dental professional for this procedure.
Smile Makeovers
If a patient has crooked teeth, gaps between the teeth, or other aesthetic concerns, these can be treated with cosmetic dentistry procedures. In some cases, smile imperfections that seem like only cosmetic issues have implications for oral health as well. Always speak with Dr. Aristodemo about any concerns. She will provide further guidance and, if necessary, help with a referral to another health professional.
A dental cleaning is a regular, routine cleaning that should be scheduled every six months to keep the mouth healthy and clear of harmful plaque. A deep cleaning, however, may be necessary for those who have not had a normal dental cleaning in some time. We recommend deep cleaning when there are bacteria or tartar in pockets between the teeth and gums. These bacteria could lead to gum disease and, if not addressed, tooth loss.
Deep cleaning is also called scaling and root planing. While scaling removes buildup from around the gums, root planning goes deeper. During root planing, the dental professional will remove buildup from the surface of the tooth roots. It may take multiple deep cleanings over time to be completely successful.
A general dentist offers several services designed to address current problems and prevent any future issues. Patients do not need to suffer from bad breath or tooth pain. Our staff will discuss any oral health concerns and suggest corrective and preventative treatments.
When it comes to bad breath, the first step is to practice proper oral hygiene at home. If a buildup of bacteria on the teeth is to blame, we may recommend a mouth rinse that kills bacteria or toothpaste with antibacterial properties. If gum disease is suspected, we may recommend a deep cleaning.
Dental sealants and fluoride treatments both help prevent cavities. Sealants are a thin, protective coating adhered to the chewing surface of the back teeth, while fluoride is a liquid commonly used to strengthen the enamel of the teeth. While a combination of brushing and flossing is still the right way to fight cavities, both treatments are another layer of protection to help prevent tooth decay.
One of the most common dental services is removing tooth decay and placing a filling in the area. Fillings replace the part of a tooth damaged by injury or decay. This preserves the integrity of the tooth and prevents further damage.
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