All-on-4 vs. Traditional Dental Implants
Missing teeth can cause a number of serious problems. This is especially true if you are missing all of your teeth. Biting and chewing are a challenge, and the aesthetics of your smile are ruined. Thankfully there are plenty of ways to restore missing teeth. A full denture is one option, but Dr. C. Mike Meek and Dr. David. J. Tasch may also recommend dental implants, which have changed the lives of numerous Austin, TX patients.
The team at 38th Street Dental would like to compare traditional implant dentistry to another full arch restoration option called All-on-4®. Both are effective, but one may be a better option for you and your needs.
About Traditional Dental Implants
Traditional dental implants are titanium posts that are surgically anchored into the jawbone and gum tissue. These implants fuse with the existing tissues of the mouth, allowing them to function much like natural tooth roots.
When osseointegration is completed, the dental implant or implants will be ready to support a crown, bridge, or full denture.
How Many Dental Implants Are Needed for a Denture
Multiple dental implants are required to hold a full denture in place. The exact number can vary, however. For most patients, five or six dental implants will be sufficient to support a full denture. For other patients, more dental implants may be ideal. We can assess your dental health and wellness and discuss the number of implants that are right for you during the consultation process.
How All-on-4 Is Different
All-on-4 can also be used to support a full denture when a person has suffered from complete tooth loss. With All-on-4, a full denture is supported using just four dental implants. These dental implants are positioned at optimal angles, distributing the stress of a bite evenly across the dental arch. That means a less involved oral surgery technique for this procedure.
By comparison, traditional dental implants are inserted straight into the jawbone rather than at an angle, so the weight distribution is much different.
Is All-on-4 Right for Me?
We recommend All-on-4 to patients at our Austin dental practice who have sufficient bone density all along their dental arch. They should be in good overall dental health and not require bone grafting to build up sufficient hard tissue. This can be assessed during the consultation process.
Additional Options for Complete Tooth Loss
If All-on-4 or traditional dental implants are not ideal options for your tooth loss, do not worry. Our dental practice offers other procedures that do not involve dental implants that can still restore the health and appearance of your smile. These procedures are much more affordable than implant dentistry.
Our goal is to make sure you have the healthiest smile possible, and that you achieve this through a treatment that is realistically within your means.
Speak with Experienced Dentists
If you live in the greater Austin area and would like more information about implant dentistry, be sure to contact our team of cosmetic and restorative dentists. The team at 38th Street Dental is here to help. You can reach our practice by phone at (512) 458-6222.
