The All-On-4 Treatment Concept

To fully comprehend what the All-on-4 procedure is, you first need to get a brief intro to dental implants. A dental implant is a small titanium screw that is implanted into your jawbone where a tooth has been lost. It occupies the exact same space as the vacated tooth so there is no crowding or gap. Some time later the implant is set in the jawbone, the Dentist attaches the replacement tooth to the screw completing the restoration. 

All-on-4 dental implants, or its variant with 6 implants (All-on-6), are a simpler, modular form of dental implants that replace multiple missing teeth or inferior solutions such as removable dentures. Utilizing advanced materials and methods, All-on-4 is the perfect replacement for natural teeth.

All-on-4 dental implants support an entire arch of teeth, top or bottom, with just four implants. The replacement teeth look and feel identical to your natural teeth and function just the same. Many patients who have dentures end up upgrading to All-on-4 because of the many added benefits this procedure offers.

It is important to clarify that the technique can be applied over conventional implants, zygomatic implants or any combination between them.

Benefits of Choosing All-On-4 Treatment Concept

In many cases, the All-on-4 dental implant procedure helps create a healthier mouth and a healthier body by helping reduce the harmful effects of periodontal disease, a bacterially-induced chronic infection and inflammatory disease that has been linked to heart attacks, strokes, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes and other chronic diseases. 

With routine brushing and flossing, dental implants help enhance your overall health. Besides, All-on-4 dental implants offer the following benefits:

• Patient’s Quality of Life Improves Considerably   The aesthetic transformation of the smile is incredible and the masticatory function is fully recovered. Replacing missing teeth or replacing a removable denture with a fixed prosthesis will always have a very favorable impact on the person’s life.
• Treatment Times Are Much Shorter   The number of interventions is reduced considerably and the placement of all implants on the same day also minimises the time in obtaining the final teeth. Less surgical time and less healing time.
• Stability Is Achieved Even If the Quality and Quantity of Bone Is Deficient   The All-on-4 dental implants are much longer than conventional implants in order to maximise contact with the bone. So, for patients who are edentulous (lacking teeth), and have only a little amount of bone, this technique offers a good solution; the All-on-4 technique for patients with average bone resorption and the All-on-6 technique for patients with more severe bone resorption, where a greater level of stability is required.
• The Cost of Treatment Is Lower   The cost of All-on-4 and All-on-6 implants is lower than that of other dental implant treatments which require either a greater number of implants or require the application of other techniques using bone grafts or more complex surgical procedures.

How Does All-On-4 Work?

All-on-4 consists of the four (or six) of the titanium screws implanted strategically into different spots of the jawbone. These screws serve as the support base for the actual dental restoration will be mounted to. Unlike single implants, this procedure is completed with a full arch of teeth on one solid piece secured to the four screws. 

Being a solid piece is the only way this procedure is similar to dentures. However, unlike dentures, the jawbone is stimulated due to implant bonding, and bone atrophy is not an issue. Also, this is a permanent solution, no removing dentures for cleaning and worrying about slippage or other issues. 

Even if you have some jawbone loss due to long periods of time without teeth or using dentures, this procedure still might be a good fit for you. When posterior screws are implanted at a 45-degree angle, it can reduce the need for complex bone grafts. This also avoids the nerve canal located in the lower jaw and the sinus cavities which are in the upper jaw. 

And although in the worst case, a bone graft may be necessary, it would always be a better option than living with a removable denture.

Acrylic or Composite All-On-4 Prosthesis

The entry-level All-on-4 procedure uses acrylic dentures or hybrid dentures that are very precisely tailored to passively connect to titanium implants. Always bear in mind that although acrylic is the most economical option, porcelain prostheses and frameworks apply with total property.

Porcelain All-On-4 Structures

The All-on-4 technique is also available for porcelain-based prosthetic restorations. Porcelain looks identical to natural teeth, feels exactly the same, and lasts much longer than acrylic or composite restorations. Naturally, its cost is much higher, but in some cases, the difference makes up for it.

What to Expect in an All-On-4 Procedure

Many patients find any type of dental surgery scary, and we understand it. It can be quite stressful to have dental implants placed for the first time. Most of the anxiety and fear regarding this treatment is due to a lack of knowledge about the procedure. To try to dispel the uncertainty a bit, we will briefly describe it step by step.

First, and to make the patient feel as comfortable as possible, he is administered local anesthesia, and if necessary, conscious sedation. If the treatment includes the placement of zygomatic implants, general anesthesia in the operating room is necessary.

Second, your mouth is prepared to accommodate your planned titanium implants, which may include the removal of any remaining bad teeth. Next, our Surgeon will also remove any soft tissue that is diseased or infected.

Later, we start the implantation phase, inserting the screws in strategic positions. There are usually two in the latero-frontal area of the jaw and two in the back, to evenly distribute the forces that the prosthesis will generate during chewing.

Finally, the surgical wound is thoroughly cleaned, the incisions are sutured, the provisional prosthesis is fitted, and postoperative indications are given.

Recovery Time and Expectations

Typically when you get traditional dentures the recovery and adjustment period can last from three months to a year depending on circumstances. All-on-4 procedures, however, have most patients back at work in a couple of days with just some ibuprofen. The reason the recovery time is much shorter is that the implant procedure is performed all at once, in a single surgical act.

For the first hour after surgery or when the bleeding stops, gauze pads will be placed over the wounds, and you will need to bite gently to hold them in place.

After about an hour, we will remove the gauze as long as the bleeding has stopped. If not, we will repeat the procedure until the blood stops and you can go to your home or accommodation.

Once at home, you must comply with the letter, each and every one of the postoperative indications provided by our Surgeon, among which stand out rest, local application of cold, soft diet, strict intake of antibiotics, analgesics and anti-inflammatories; among many others. 

A very important part of the success of the treatment resides in the postoperative period, therefore, it is necessary that after the surgery you are responsible and truly committed to your recovery process. Any accidental trauma or secondary infection could put your entire job at risk. 

Restart of Work Activity

Returning to work will depend on your type of work activity. It would be advisable to wait a week, but the reality is that many people restart their work activities earlier, even after 2 or 3 days. The most important thing is to avoid any major physical activities such as excessive walking, climbing stairs, and lifting heavy objects; among others.

“Rehabilitating an Entire Maxillary Arch with Only 4 Implants, Allows to Reduce Costs and Execute a More Conservative and Less Invasive Surgery”.

DENTAL TIP

When Is the Final Prosthesis Placed?

Once the osseointegration period is complete and your implants are properly anchored to the bone. Between 3 and 6 months after surgery is the period of time that usually must elapse before treatment can end.

In the case of zygomatic implants, and depending on the conditions of the case, we could place a provisional fixed prosthesis 2 or 3 days after surgery.

Are You Facing an Unaffordable Quote for Your Oral Rehabilitation?

Are you thinking of getting Cosmetic Dentistry or Dental Implants in Venezuela? The rising cost of dental care in many countries is driving the dental tourism movement as people seek more affordable dental work abroad. If you are facing an unaffordable quote for dental treatment in your home country, DENTAL VIP could be a much cheaper alternative with savings of 60% or more.

Every year thousands of international patients visit Caracas to take advantage of high quality healthcare at affordable prices. Dental procedures in Venezuela are on par with treatment provided in any “developed” country of the world. The cost, however, is significantly less.

At DENTAL VIP we offer a wide range of world class dental treatments such as Dental Implants, Crowns and Bridges, Smile Design, Dental Veneers, Oral Surgery and Zygomatic Implants; among others.

Furthermore, we are available to assist you with transfer and accommodation options while visiting Caracas for dental care. Contact us today and make your next treatment in Venezuela!