If you’re missing multiple teeth, you’re not alone. Tooth loss can occur for a multitude of reasons such as injury, age, infection, and genetics. Unfortunately, missing teeth can have a serious impact not only on the appearance of your smile, but also on your overall oral health.
Luckily, there are dental treatments available to replace your teeth and give you the healthy, attractive smile you deserve. Dental implants are a highly effective, long-lasting treatment for those with missing teeth. But there are different kinds of dental implants, and your individual mouth, needs, and preferences will affect which type will give the best results.
We’re here to cover the differences between conventional dental implants and All-on-4 implants so that you can determine the right treatment for you.
What are conventional dental implants?
Conventional dental implants are a tried and true method for patients missing one or more teeth. They’re small, screw-like posts – usually made of titanium or zirconia – that are secured to the jaw bone and function like the root of a natural tooth.
Once the implant is secured, an abatement is attached to the end, which acts as an anchor to connect your crown, bridge, or other tooth replacement. Because dental implants are made from biocompatible materials, they actively fuse with your jawbone, making them a long-term, highly reliable solution for your missing teeth.
What are All-on-4 dental implants?
The All-on-4 dental implant technique is ideal for patients who are missing all or most of their teeth on the upper or lower arch. Instead of securing implants to replace each individual tooth separately, All-on-4 allows us to use just four strategically placed implants, which function as a secure anchor for tooth replacements for the entire arch.
Because All-on-4 dental implants are embedded into the jaw, you can have a long-term denture plate attached to one or both arches that functions just like a real set of teeth. This means you won’t have to deal with the hassle of removable dentures and can eat, talk, and sleep with your replacement teeth.
How to choose which type of dental implants is right for you
Both All-on-4 dental implants and conventional implants are safe and effective. They’re both proven methods of restoring dental functioning and cosmetic elegance for patients suffering from tooth loss.
Because these treatments provide similar results, the right treatment for you and your smile depends on your particular situation, preferences, and needs.
Our dental implant specialists at Smart Arches will discuss your options in detail with you during your free dental implant consultation. But here are a few factors to consider:
Number of missing teeth
If you’re missing several teeth or no longer have any of your natural teeth left, All-on-4 implants are generally a better option for permanent tooth replacement. A full-mouth restoration using conventional implants may require as many as 12-16 implants to secure your new teeth. With All-on-4 implants, you’ll only need a total of 4 implants per jaw.
The need for bone grafting
Traditional dental implants must be placed directly into the bone, while All-on-4 implants are secured at an angle at the back of the jawbone. This angled placement maximizes the amount of contact with the bone at the site of the implant.
Because we’re able to select the strongest areas of your jawbone when we place All-on-4 implants, many patients can avoid the need for bone grafting with this type of treatment. Conventional implants are more likely to require bone grafting.
Number of visits
With All-on-4 implants, we’re generally able to install the artificial implants and your new replacement teeth during one surgery on the same day. With traditional dental implants, it depends on whether your jaw and gums need time to heal. Some patients prefer to get the entire procedure completed in one day, while others prefer a slower process.
Recovery time
There’s always a recovery period any time you have dental surgery. The main factor that impacts recovery time after dental implants is whether or not bone grafting is required – which is more common with conventional implants.
In general, both All-on-4 and conventional implants take about a week to heal. If bone grafting is required, we’ll need to let your jaw heal fully before placing your implants, which can take about three to four weeks.
Cost
The cost of dental implants always depends on the number of teeth you’re missing, the amount of prep work required for your smile, the number of appointments required, and a variety of other factors.
At Smart Arches, we believe everyone deserves affordable, high-quality dental care. We’re transparent about costs and we’re committed to helping you afford treatment. We offer free consultations that include an exam, imaging, and a medical history review. We accept insurance, offer flexible pricing, and will match any estimate you have from any other dentist. Learn more about how we work!
Want to discuss your dental implant options? Our experts are here to help!
At Smart Arches, we specialize in providing restorative dental work to patients. If you’re suffering with missing or severely damaged teeth, we’ll help you develop a dental implant treatment plan that works for you.
Our compassionate and experienced team is here to help you restore your smile and oral health.
Contact us online or call one of our four locations to set up a FREE dental implant consultation.
