Overcoming Bone Loss with All-on-4 Dental Implants

If you have been living with damaged or missing teeth, you may also be dealing with bone loss in your jawbone. Replacing missing teeth with dentures can worsen bone loss, and traditional implants may not be an option without bone grafting. However, patients with bone loss may find a solution in All-on-4 dental implants.

Benefits of All-on-4 Dental Implants

In the past, the solution to missing teeth was traditional implants or dentures. Both solutions have their drawbacks. Traditional implants can only replace one missing tooth at a time. Dentures are designed to replace multiple missing teeth but rely on natural suction or denture adhesive to keep them in place rather than being a permanent fixture. It’s also not healthy to keep dentures in the mouth 24 hours per day, so they should be removed for extended periods daily.

In contrast, All-on-4 implants are a fixed and permanent replacement for multiple missing teeth. There are numerous benefits to choosing All-on-4 for your oral health. Some of the advantages include:

• Easy Care and Better Hygiene

Denture adhesive is often messy and uncomfortable. Caring for your teeth after All-on-4 implants is similar to caring for natural teeth. Like natural teeth, All-on-4 preventative maintenance includes brushing, flossing, rinses, and dental checkups.

• Permanent Solution

Traditional dentures require frequent fitting sessions, typically due to gum recession that causes dentures to feel loose over time. The All-on-4 system is a permanent solution that often lasts over 20 years and requires proper dental hygiene.

• Increased Confidence

Patients with traditional dentures are often worried about loose dentures causing embarrassment. With an All-on-4 dental implant, your teeth will look natural and be connected securely to your mouth, allowing you to eat and drink without the risk of embarrassment.

Who is a Good Candidate for All-on-4 Dental Implants?

Because All-on-4 dental implants replace an entire arch, the best candidates will have numerous teeth that need replacement. All-on-4 dental implants can be a good solution for those with teeth that are damaged and need extraction, but also for those who are already wearing dentures and looking for a permanent solution that will not only give them a more confident smile but can increase their oral health. Even those struggling with advanced gum disease or those who have lost teeth due to significant tooth decay can be good candidates for tooth replacement using the All-on-4 procedure. An initial consultation appointment with a thorough examination and complete X-rays can determine whether you are a good candidate.

The only patients who are not good candidates for All-on-4 are those who have underlying medical conditions that would impact healing, such as uncontrolled diabetes or other chronic health conditions.

Understanding Bone Loss

Jawbone loss can also be referred to as bone resorption, a common issue after tooth loss. When the tooth’s root is removed, the gum and jaw tissue are no longer stimulated by the pressure of chewing, biting, and other daily activities. Like any other part of your body, lack of use will eventually cause deterioration. Replacing a missing tooth with dentures or a bridge will help other issues, such as teeth shifting toward an empty socket, but will not place the necessary pressure on the bone to prevent resorption. Most patients will lose about 25% of the bone mass surrounding the missing tooth within a year, so time is certainly a factor, and most dentists will recommend an implant as soon as their gums have healed enough from the tooth loss. A bone graft may be needed if your bone mass loss is significant. Dental implants are the only tooth replacement option that can prevent this.

What if Bone Loss is an Issue?

One of the requirements for being a candidate for All-on-4 dental implants is adequate bone in the upper and lower jaw. Until recently, patients who have experienced bone loss in the upper jaw have not had the option of implants. However, there are now ways to build up the upper jawbone with bone grafts and an option for unique, extra-long implants for patients who need them. Zygomatic implants are four or five times the length of conventional implants and can be placed through the jawbone into the cheekbone. Highly trained and experienced implant surgeons can offer this precise surgical solution to allow All-on-4 dental implants to be used for a broader range of patients than many dental offices. With a high-quality dental professional, nearly everyone is a candidate for All-on-4 regardless of prior bone loss.

Will All-on-4 Dental Implants Make Bone Loss Worse?

While some bone loss in the jaw can make dental implants more of a challenge, All-on-4 dental implants can improve the health of your jawbone. Because these implants are anchored into your jaw, they mimic the function of the root of a tooth, which will help maintain the structural stability of your jaw. Dental implants can help prevent the resorption of the jawbone and encourage strengthening and regeneration of the jawbone. This will keep the jawbone stimulated and prevent further bone loss and the resulting collapse of the lower part of the face.

All-on-4 dental implants have numerous benefits that can positively impact the lives of those with missing or damaged teeth. With special procedures, even those with bone loss can have the opportunity to restore their smile permanently.

Why Choose Bellevue Dental Care & Implant Center?

Are you tired of living with the discomfort and embarrassment of missing or damaged teeth, compounded by the looming threat of bone loss in your jaw? Traditional solutions like dentures may exacerbate bone loss, while conventional implants might not be viable without extensive bone grafting. However, there’s hope with All-on-4 dental implants from Bellevue Dental Care & Implant Center. These revolutionary implants offer a permanent solution for multiple missing teeth, boasting numerous advantages over traditional options. With easy care, better hygiene, a permanent fix lasting over 20 years, and increased confidence in your smile, All-on-4 dental implants can transform oral health and quality of life.

Don’t let bone loss dictate your dental future – contact Bellevue Dental Care & Implant Center now to get All-on-4 treatment and reclaim your smile today.