What Is The All-On-4 Dental Implants Treatment?
The All On Four is a treatment where four dental implants are placed into the bone. Those implants will support a full-arch, palateless bridge.
The All On 4 Dental Implants is a procedure where the surgeon places four implants into the maxillary bone. Four implants provide a firm foundation, like pillars supporting a building.
Through the superior abutment, a full-arch bridge is loaded and screwed. Two dental implants are placed straight for the maxillary bone, and the other two are angled.
People know this treatment as "permanent dentures" or "Permanent bridges."
How Does The All On Four Works?
The All On Four treatment design has developed over time as a concept. It is the premier solution for people needing full mouth implants on the upper or lower jaw.
For the upper maxilla, four implants are implanted surgically into the bone. The implants go in an angled position or where you have a better bone density.
• After bonding with the bone, the occlusion's pressure spreads and distributes among the four implants, providing stability to load on a full-arch fixed bridge.
• Based on pure physics, four or more dental implants can support a full-arch fixed bridge restoration.
Are The All On Four Dental Implants Removable?
No, they are not. Only a dentist can unscrew the fixed bridge. Also, there is no further need for powders or glues; the All On Four denture always stays in place. It doesn't pop out or slip.
The key to the All-On-4 treatment is the grip the posts give when the patient is chewing or taking a bite.
How Many Implants Are Needed For A Full Mouth Reconstruction?
The oral surgeon or specialist first verifies the number of dental implants to place into your maxilla through a CT Scan; he can also view the patient's bone density and condition and know if they need four, five, or six dental implants.
Four to six implants are enough to support an implant overdenture. Each case is carefully evaluated with a digital and clinical evaluation.
What Is All On 6 Dental Implants?
The surgeon places six dental implants into the maxilla for the All-On-6.
Patients with a more prominent arch structure or good bone density could be good candidates for the All On 6.
• Four implants are the minimum; six dental implants provide better stability.
How To Know If I Am A Candidate For The All On Four?
First, you need to have an adequate bone condition for implant placement; enough bone to insert the post. Bone density is critical for good dental implant osseointegration.
If you are missing several teeth or you wear ordinary dentures, the All-On-4 is a good option in the following scenarios:
1.- People who are missing most of their teeth and are tired of "patching" temporary fixtures only make you spend money.
2.- People who wear ordinary dentures feel frustrated, self-conscious, depressed, and can't eat right.
• In both cases, you could upgrade to a permanent solution like the All On 4, or what people call "permanent dentures."
Who Is Not A Good Candidate For The All-on-4 Dental Implants?
In some circumstances, you could be unqualified for complete mouth implant treatment. Patients with the following scenarios are not suitable candidates for the All-On-4:
- People with advanced problems due to bone recession.
- People with severe periodontal disease or unattended bone infection.
- People that went under radiation therapy during the last five years.
- People with uncontrolled or unsupervised diabetes could be ineligible for dental implants.
- Heavy smokers who are not willing to quit will probably experience implant failure.
All-On-4 Vs. Dentures
There is no way you can compare the benefits of All-On-4 Vs. Dentures. Upgrading from conventional dentures to implant overdentures is an extraordinary improvement for your health and self-esteem.
Common Dentures
You must use glues and powders like Fixadent or Poligrip to keep dentures in place and reapply them when trying to eat something. The taste of glue can make you gag too.
Using these adhesives regularly can also cause stomach problems.
All-On-4
The fixed implant overdenture is anchored to the abutment or head of the implants set previously into the bone. It is a palateless, full-arch bridge that doesn't move, pop out or slip.
Common Dentures
With traditional dentures, eating becomes an everyday challenge. Cut smaller bites and feel you cannot swallow would be best. Or have soups, soft food, or shakes as meal replacements. You could be compromising the digestive process and decreasing your nutrition.
With regular dentures and overdentures, you have a covered palate, and you can not taste the flavors or feel the food's temperature.
All-On-4
You can eat all foods with a fixed full-arch bridge that doesn't move. You can bite and chew raw vegetables, peanuts, or anything. You will also be able to feel the taste and temperature of your food.
Common Dentures
Wearing ill-fitted dentures can wreck your confidence and self-esteem in several ways; traditional dentures can make you feel depressed too. You're constantly worrying about your dentures popping out in front of people. Maybe you avoid social circumstances where you think your teeth could compromise your security. Perhaps you avoid intimate moments and become depressed, uncomfortable, and self-conscious.
All-On-4
With firm, new teeth, you can have a social life again: Smile, speak, sing, swim, and laugh confidently. No one will notice your teeth is a fixed bridge; they look natural.
The All-On-4 Surgery
The setting of the tooth implants is a quick and minor surgery that takes about 90 minutes.
We use local anesthesia, or you can request IV sedation during the surgery.
After the initial digital evaluation with 3D imagery - CT Scan, we create surgical guides to place the implants. All technology employed in our clinic is computerized.
All On 4 Dental Implants Surgery Aftercare
Should I expect pain after the surgery?
After surgery, you could feel mild discomfort, and swelling is addressed with analgesics and antibiotics. If the patient intakes the medication, it should not hurt.
We recommend avoiding heavy exercise and smoking during the first couple of weeks after the surgery. Smoking through dental implant recovery could affect adequate healing.
What can I eat after the All On Four surgery?
During the first couple of days and until you get your temporary denture (a few days later), you must take soft food such as smashed eggs, spaghetti, rice, and fish. Avoid eating irritating or greasy food.
How To Clean The All-On-4?
After the dental implant surgery, you must adapt your new routine with proper oral hygiene. Strict hygiene is imperative; the patient needs to maintain rigorous hygiene control.
When we eat, food particles and debris could get stuck or trapped between the implant and the gums or between the fixed dentures. The food accumulation could cause bad breath and, in some cases, infection or abscess on the implants.
• The accumulation of food trapped in your gums could cause gum problems and infections due to the bacteria developing in your mouth.
Daily cleaning routine for the All On Four Implants
Step #1 Brushing
You must brush your teeth three times daily as if they were your original teeth. You need to use
Use a soft toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. Brushing after every meal and every time you can do it would be best. Carry a brush in your car or purse. Brushing at least twice a day is a must.
Step #2 Use water floss
Food can get stuck between your fixed bridge and the abutments or between the implant and the gums. Therefore, water flossing is as important as brushing.
The water floss, like Waterpik, helps us remove all the food particles that could remain in our mouths.
We always recommend the use of WaterPik at least once a day. The Waterpik is a pressurized water floss that helps clean the parts your brush and floss can not reach. It is an addition you need to acquire for your daily oral cleaning habits routine.
Step #3 Use mouthwash
We recommend antibacterial, alcohol-free mouthwash. It not only gives you fresh breath, but it also helps us clean bacteria from our mouths.
Step #4 Visit your dentist
We recommend visiting the dentist's office every six months deep to clean your fixed hybrid or Zirconia Prettau bridge.
The dentist unscrews the fixed bridge, cleans it into the housings, and polishes it. They will also check the gums and tissue around the implants.
How Much Does All On Four Cost in Cancun?
| Full Implants Treatment (per arch) IN CANCUN | Prices in USD |
|---|---|
| All-On-4 with Zirconia Prettau Bridge | 9,850 |
| All-On-6 with Zirconia Prettau Bridge | 11,650 |
In Mexico, the same procedure, materials, and protocol cost less than 10K per arch. Click here to view our complete price list of All On 4 costs in Mexico.
All-On-4 Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated on May 7th, 2023.