All-on-4® Treatment Concept
Jacksonville, FL
 Following tooth loss, basic functions you once did with little to no thought, such as eating, chewing, and speaking, become increasingly difficult. Your smile suffers. Even your jawbone is affected. The more teeth you lose, the greater the impact. Dental implants, a modern solution for tooth loss, are one of the most popular treatments for replacing your missing teeth. At Atlantic Dentistry, we offer many implant solutions, including the All-on-4® Treatment Concept.
Modern Treatment for Tooth Loss
Dental implants are one type of tooth loss solution that provides you with an alternative to more traditional solutions. This treatment is unlike any other. Instead of the restoration resting above the gums and jawbone, the treatment uses small posts and ceramic crowns. The posts are placed within your jawbone and function as replacement roots. The crowns replace the visible portions of the teeth you have missing, and look exactly like your real teeth. Implants are incredibly versatile and can be used in many different situations.
Dental Implants and Your Jawbone
The success of dental implants relies significantly on your jawbone. During your recovery phase, your jawbone gradually fuses to the titanium posts. This is called osseointegration. Fusion secures the posts and integrates them into the bone. They essentially become a part of your jaw. Once the bone has fused, the posts are stable and strong. Your new teeth are provided with the support they need to be successful.
After suffering tooth loss, however, your jawbone begins to weaken. If it becomes too weak, it may not be able to effectively support an implant, which compromises the success of the treatment.
In cases of bone loss, a bone graft may first be recommended. This is an additional surgery that is performed before implant surgery. The surgery involves transplanting bone from another area of your body, or from a donor, to the weak areas of your jaw. As healing progresses, your existing bone fuses to the grafted bone, increasing the strength of your jawbone so that it can provide proper support for your dental implant posts.
Full Arch Replacement without a Bone Graft
A full arch of teeth is often replaced with what is known as an implant supported denture. With this treatment, six to eight posts are implanted into your jaw. If your bone is too weak though, it may not be able to support these necessary posts. Rather than undergoing a bone graft first, you can receive dental implants with All-on-4.
Treatment with All-on-4 allows us to replace an arch of missing teeth with just four posts. These posts are strategically implanted, two at the front of the jaw and two at the back. The front of the jaw typically has more bone. The posts at the back of your jaw are inserted at a 45-degree angle. This angle ensures there is sufficient contact with the existing bone for optimal osseointegration.
The Benefits of All-on-4
All-on-4 benefits are similar to the benefits of dental implant solutions. They provide greater comfort and are long-term solutions for tooth loss. The treatment also has many of its own unique benefits. Because fewer posts are used, you need less surgery. Recovery after surgery is often shorter. You also avoid the need for additional surgeries, including bone grafting and sinus lifts.
All-on-4 offers you a way to get a full arch replacement without first needing to undergo a bone graft or relegating you to dentures. For more information on All-on-4, and to find out if this treatment is right for you, call Atlantic Dentistry, at 904 717-0335 today. |
