Dental implants have been around for a long time, but in recent years a technique called All-On-Four has gained immense popularity as a way to replace missing or bad teeth in an entire dental arch.
So, what is All On Four dental implants process and why has it become such a trendy treatment option? Are there downsides to this treatment or better choices available?
What are All-On– Four dental implants?
At the beginning, you should understand what a dental implant is and how it works.
Dental implants are essentially metal posts, usually titanium, that are surgically placed into the bone of the jaw and can act as anchors for attaching replacement teeth.
Titanium is generally chosen for several reasons:
- First, it is very strong and durable and can sustain the pressures and demands of chewing without breaking or wearing out.
- Second, it is a biocompatible material, meaning the body does not see it as a foreign object and reject it.
- Third, titanium has the unique characteristic of actually fusing with bone as it heals, a phenomenon called osseointegration.
This leads to strong, durable supports for dental restorations that can last a lifetime.
Placing implants can be an expensive undertaking. Minimizing the number of implants needed significantly reduces the cost and surgical sites needed for a predictable and long-lasting dental restoration.
Modern techniques often use four dental implants and a fixed bridge. This procedure has come to be called All-On-4, or sometimes AO4, and has gained widespread use as a standard for replacing a full arch of teeth.
All-On-4 dental implants cost near you
In the United States, the average cost for Ao4 full mouth dental implants is reported to be $59,000. This includes the restoration of both the maxillary (upper) and mandibular (lower) jaws with permanent teeth. This price can vary greatly, however, and what you get as your final restoration may also vary.
For example, some practices may refer to
Some dental offices may also hit you with hidden fees or only quote for part of the procedure, purposefully not including the consultation, the surgery, and the placement. Be sure if you get an estimate that includes the complete procedure, with all fees disclosed.
All-On-Four dental implants procedure
Having full arches of teeth replaced using the All on 4
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Exam and records
At this consultation visit, X-rays are taken of any remaining teeth to gauge their health. Impressions of each jaw are then taken to create precise models of your mouth. 3D images of the jaws are taken if the proper equipment is present on site. If not, you might be referred to take such images at a diagnostic imaging center. These 3-dimensional images are used to gauge thickness of bone, locate the sinus cavities, and visualize nerves and other structures in the jaws.
Photos, health history, and other information are gathered. The consultation usually ends with financial estimates and arrangements being made and future appointments added to the schedule.
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Treatment plan
Prior to the first surgical appointment, the dentist or oral surgeon will review the records and plan the procedure from beginning to end. This is to ensure you know what to expect and to make sure everyone on your new-smile team is on the same page.
They then use the 3D images taken of the bone of the jaws to create surgical guides. These guides allow the surgeon to precisely place the implants while avoiding features like nerves and sinus cavities.
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First surgery: extractions
The first surgical procedure will be to remove any remaining teeth that need to come out. Sometimes this can be done at the same time as an implant placement. Most often it is necessary to do extractions and then wait for the mouth to heal first.
Occasionally, bone levels in the jaw are too thin to support implants or sinus cavities are simply in the way. In these cases, a separate surgery may be required to do bone grafts or sinus lift procedures. These procedures often require months of healing before the implant placement surgery can happen.
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Second surgery: implant placement
Once healing has occurred, the actual implant surgery can be performed. The patient is numbed and possibly sedated for the procedure. The surgical guides are used to precisely drill small holes in the bone in the right spots. Four areas are prepared in this way in the AO4 procedure.
Titanium posts are then placed into these holes. A small peg called a healing cap is placed on top of the implant. This allows the bone and gums to heal and attach to the implant before any load is placed on them. In most techniques, this healing process may take three to six months. During this time the patient has to wear a temporary denture or go without teeth in the surgical area.
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Placement of restorations
After the healing phase is complete, the implants are firmly anchored to the bone. Custom tops, called abutments, can then be attached to the implants. These abutments are then used as the base for the creation of crowns or bridges.
These new teeth are made by a dental laboratory and permanently attached to the abutments.
At that point, your smile will be completely restored. They should feel pretty much like your natural teeth — sturdy and reliable.
All-On-4 recovery time
All On 4 dental implants are less expensive than a whole mouth of individual implants. They still need the same healing time as traditional implants, however.
This may include 3 or 4 months of healing time after extractions, sinus lift procedures, or bone grafting. An additional 3 or 4 months may be needed after implants are placed to allow them to fuse to the bone. Finally, it takes about another month before the final crowns or bridges can be made and glued in.
All in all, it may take a year or more before the procedure is complete and the permanent teeth are in the mouth.
All-On-Four Dental Implant vs. the G4 Implant Solution
Many people are happy with Ao4 restorations, but there are definitely some negatives to the method. G4 implants, created by Dr. Mike Golpa, solve many of the issues found with AO4.
AO4
Obviously, the time it takes for All On Four Dental implants start to finish is a drawback for many people. Normal All On Four implants may take as much as a full year, start to finish. This is especially true if there are issues requiring bone augmentation or a sinus lift.
Additionally, the cost of All on 4 implants can be steep for many people. Certain offices break the procedure into parts. Patients can find themselves surprised by fees that end up much more than what they were expecting.
Lastly, a true Ao4 procedure includes four titanium implants and a permanent fixed bridge. Offices offering acrylic dentures or less durable restorations are not a true Ao4.
G4
G4 implants solve many of the issues found with Ao4. This revolutionary procedure delivers permanent restorations in a single 24 hour period instead of taking weeks or months.
All treatment occurs in a single facility by an individual, experienced clinician. The price quoted includes everything, so you know what to expect, and the overall price is generally much lower than the cost of a traditional All-On-Four restoration.
Not only is the G4 Implant Solution quick and cost-effective, but the quality is also at the top of its game. Dr. Golpa and his team have perfected the process of this procedure so you can completely trust your new teeth.
- Procedure lasts up to a full year
- Cost $35,000-$120,000
- May be acrylic dentures
- Done in 24 Hours
- Prices start at $36,500 FULL MOUTH
- Fixed bridge on titanium frame
All on four dental implants dentist near you
If you were having heart surgery, would you be ok with the surgeon that does one heart operation a month? Or would you prefer the specialist that has done nothing but heart surgeries for years? When it comes to your health, you shouldn’t cut corners. Seek out the very best.
As you can see, the G4 Implant Solution offers many advantages over traditional Ao4 restorations. And this revolutionary procedure delivers permanent restorations in just one day instead of taking weeks or months.
The G4 is simply the best possible option for full mouth restorations. We have our dental implant centers located in Las Vegas, Dallas or Tysons. Set up a phone consultation with one of our implant experts today and get started on the path to a new smile!
