If you’re missing most or all of your teeth on the upper or lower jaw, a full arch dental implant may be the perfect solution to restore your smile, bite force, and chewing ability. A full arch dental implant uses as few as four surgically implanted screws to affix a complete set of teeth on your upper or lower jaw. Known as the All-on-4™ procedure, this oral surgery results in a completely restored arch of teeth. Read on for everything to know about a full arch dental implant.
Full Arch Dental Implant: What to Know About the Procedure
If you’re missing all of your teeth, or missing most teeth, the All-on-4 procedure may be performed in a single day. If you have a few remaining teeth, they will need to be extracted.
Your oral surgeon will place four biocompatible, durable screws (anchors) in your jaw using state-of-the-art technology and software to guide the surgical placement of the titanium screws. The implants will be placed to provide complete support to the arch of artificial teeth.
Once the screws are implanted, a full set of acrylic teeth is affixed to the implants. If you wish, you may replace the acrylic teeth with porcelain teeth at a later date. You may go home the same day, and resume eating a normal diet as soon as the tenderness resolves.
Benefits of a Full Arch Dental Implant
The All-on-4 treatment has revolutionized treatment for missing teeth. It offers many benefits compared to dentures and even to single tooth dental implants. Benefits include:
- Fixed, rather than removable restoration
- Often no need for bone grafting surgery to support the implants
- The procedure may be performed on the same day as dental extractions
- More affordable than multiple, single-tooth dental implants
- No need for denture adhesives or soaking solutions
- Expedited recovery, compared to single-tooth dental implants
- Restored bite force
- Improved speaking ability
- Prevents loss of jaw bone, and may promote bone regeneration in the jaw
- Less invasive compared to multiple individual dental implants
- Durable, lasting several decades
- Restored self-confidence and self-esteem
Who is a Good Candidate for a Full Arch Dental Implant?
If you’re missing most or all of your teeth on the top or bottom arch, you may be a candidate for a full arch dental implant. You will need to have enough jaw bone to support the implants. If you have been without teeth for an extended period, you may need bone grafting surgery to support the implants.
Because full arch dental implants require surgery, you will need to be in good enough overall health to tolerate surgery. Your oral surgeon will also need a complete list of medications you take to determine eligibility for the All-on-4 dental implant procedure. Patients who have active gum disease will need to have the disease treated before undergoing dental implant surgery.
Schedule a Consultation for Dental Implants for Missing Teeth in Albuquerque
Patients missing most or all teeth no longer need to suffer from insecurity or the inconvenience of removable dentures. A full arch dental implant restoration can safely and effectively restore your smile. To schedule a consultation with an oral surgeon to discuss your options for replacing missing teeth, call 505-821-2111, or send us a message.