Patients who are missing one tooth have a variety of treatment options available to them. But when a patient has lost an entire arch of teeth, there typically wasn’t much of an option outside of a denture. Now, however, patients can receive all on four treatment in Philadelphia, PA. This procedure allows dentists to replace a full arch of your teeth using only four dental implants. Patients then have a permanent denture that is secured to the implants for maximum comfort, mobility, and bite strength.
How Does All on Four Treatment in Philadelphia, PA, work?
Dental implants are designed to help support your jaw and reduce the loss of bone retention. However, all on four treatments don’t require a full set of implants to achieve the same goal. Instead, your dentist will strategically place only four implants in your jaw. They place the implants at an angle, thus maximizing the reach of their support and bone retention. This allows your jaw to maintain its structure and bite strength with only one surgical appointment.
The All on Four Process
When you decide to get all on four treatment, you’ll have to go through a couple of different appointments. Because everyone’s mouth is different, your dentist will begin with a consultation appointment. During this time, your dentist will examine your mouth and take X-rays of your jaw to determine if all on four treatment is available. If you are a candidate for the procedure, your dentist will further examine your jaw to determine the best placement and angle for the implants.
Surgery
The first step in an all on four procedure is surgery. During your surgical appointment, your dentist will place four titanium posts into your jaw at strategic locations. After surgery, you’ll need a few months to allow time for the soft tissue to heal and the implant fixture to integrate with your jaw bone. During this time, you’ll have a temporary denture that will help support daily mouth functions.
The Permanent Denture
Once your mouth has healed after surgery, your dentist will fabricate a permanent denture. Unlike traditional dentures, an all on four denture is not removable. It is secured permanently to the four implants in your jaw to provide a long-lasting smile and bite. By attaching the denture to the implants, there’s no risk of your denture slipping or falling out while you eat, talk, or laugh.
Caring for an All on Four
Because the denture is permanently secured in your mouth, you can’t take it out to clean it. Patients with an all on four denture still need to practice good oral hygiene such as brushing and flossing. It’s also crucial for patients to continue seeing their dentist on a routine schedule, at least once every six months, to ensure there is no problem with either the denture or the implants.
Dr. David Weinstock provides complete all on four treatment options to his patients right from the comfort of his office. If you’re missing a full arch of teeth, call us today at (215) 857-8054 to schedule an appointment and see if all on four treatment may be right for you.