Dental implants are used to replace missing teeth due to tooth decay, gum disease, and dental injuries amongst others. All-on-4 dental implants are a complete set of implants meant to replace your entire row of teeth. This may apply to the upper or lower jaw, or both.
All-on-4 dental implants serve as a permanent solution to missing teeth and have a more natural appearance as compared to dentures. This will be carried out by the surgical insertion of four titanium posts into your jawbone to anchor the implants.
The main difference between all-on-4 dental implants and dentures is that the all-on-4 implants feel much more comfortable than wearing dentures. This is because dentures are designed to rest on the surface of the gums, which can cause discomfort and lead to painful mouth sores. All-on-4 implants, on the other hand, are held securely in the jawbone and should not cause discomfort.
All-on-4 dental implant treatment is different from traditional dental implant treatment in a number of ways. For one, the all-on-4 procedure only utilises 4 implants while traditional dental implants may require up to 8 implants.
Secondly, the all-on-4 implants are inserted at an angle towards the back of the jaw, thus minimising contact between the bone and the implant. This allows you to avoid any need for bone grafting unlike traditional dental implants. Moreover, it provides increased support by using your natural bone.
Lastly, all-on-4 implants are only used to replace multiple missing teeth. Traditional dental implants offer more versatility in replacing individual teeth with a combination of dental crowns and dental bridges.
The all-on-4 dental implantation procedure is recommended for patients who have a full arch of missing teeth, or patients who will be extracting their remaining teeth to be replaced with implants. The all-on-4 treatment can provide you with a stable, long-term, and natural-looking solution to your missing teeth.
If you have lost all or most of your teeth, a dental examination will be required to determine if all-on-4 will be right for you. Your dentist will take into consideration your dental and medical history, and have you undergo an x-ray scan to obtain an image of your jawbones.
Given that every individual’s medical history is different, it is imperative that you seek a medical evaluation in order to know if all-on-4 dental implant treatment is the right choice for you. In some cases, other teeth replacement options might be suitable. For example, if you are diabetic, you may not be an ideal candidate for the all-on-4 procedure.
Many patients enjoy the renewed confidence and a boost in self-esteem after receiving all-on-4 dental implants. Apart from the improved appearance, the benefits of all-on-4 implant surgery include:
At the same time, there are some potential drawbacks to the all-on-4 treatment that you should also be aware of. These include:
The all-on-4 treatment process can be broken down into three stages.
During the initial consultation, you will undergo a medical examination as your dentist assesses the condition of your teeth and jawbone. Your dentist will also brief you on the surgical procedure, the duration of treatment, the materials used, and the relevant costs.
After your full dental assessment, dental impressions of your upper and lower jaws will then be taken to be made into models. These models will be sent to a digital laboratory for the development of your new dental bridge.
During the surgery, you will be placed under local anaesthesia. Some patients opt for general anaesthesia, as they prefer to be asleep during the procedure. If you need to have teeth extracted before your implants are inserted, this can usually be done beforehand on the same day.
Your dentist will then drill into your jawbone to insert the all-on-4 implants before stitching up the incisions made. Your dentist may use dissolvable stitches, which disappear on their own after a week or two.
You may experience some bruising, inflammation, discomfort, and even pain in the days after surgery. This can be managed with pain medication and antibiotics provided to you by your dentist.
It is important to follow your dentist’s advice on the types of food you can and cannot eat, as you don’t want to interfere with the healing process. Good dental hygiene still applies as you should clean your implants just as you would for your normal teeth.
Before you decide to undergo all-on-4 dental implant treatment, it is important to understand the possible complications that may arise. Some of these issues include:
Contamination during the implant surgery.
Implant fails to fuse with the bone; occurs in 5% of patients.
Teeth grinding, clenching, and irregularity in chewing movement may develop.
Some patients have trouble adapting to the new dental prosthesis in their mouth, resulting in speech issues.
After your all-on-4 procedure has successfully taken place, you should maintain good dental hygiene habits and treat your dental implants like regular teeth. This means you should brush and floss your teeth daily.
Your dentist will also recommend you to have regular check-ups at least twice a year, to ensure that your dental implants are healthy and have maintained their correct placement in your mouth. During these check-up sessions, your dentist will also clean your implants to remove plaque build-up and tartar deposits.
According to medical research studies, all-on-4 dental implants have a 98% success rate.
During the surgery, you will not feel any pain due to local anaesthesia. However, you may experience some pain in the aftermath of the surgery. Your dentist will prescribe you with painkillers and anti-inflammatory medication to bring down the swelling.
The all-on-4 dental implants are designed to look exactly like natural teeth so you don’t have to worry about them looking artificial.
With proper maintenance and oral care, dental implants can last for 15 years or so before needing to be replaced.
The all-on-4 dental implant treatment procedure can effectively replace all of your missing teeth, and rebuild your self-confidence in your appearance. Not only does it require fewer implants compared to traditional dental implant surgery, it also costs less to restore a dazzling smile.
If you are considering getting all-on-4 dental implants, get in touch with us to find out more about the procedure and whether you are suitable for it.
We accept a range of dental policies covering individuals, families, & corporates. We have partnered with many dental insurance companies such as AIA, IHP, MHC, AON, Advantage Health Benefits, and more!
NoFrills Dental aims to provide accessible, affordable and no-frills dental care for people of all ages in a clean and comfortable ambience.
NoFrills Dental aims to provide accessible, affordable and no-frills dental care for people of all ages in a clean and comfortable ambience. We take great pride in delivering a holistic dental experience through our professional excellence, quality material and high standard of cleanliness.
With over 15 years of experience in the dental industry, our team has established themselves as a providers of high-quality dental services.
NoFrills Dental prides itself on the high quality patient-care and professionalism of all our staff. We provide training opportunities to our staff to encourage both professional and personal growth.
NoFrills Dental clinics are always strategically located at convenient locations
We encourage dentists globally to join NoFrills Dental, the network that lets dentists be dentists.
NoFrills Dental services are offered to everyone with different dental needs and budgets.
NoFrills Dental provides highly affordable dental services in clean and comfortable environments.
High-quality dental services provided within state-of-the-art facilities, provided by industry professionals at accessible locations in Singapore, at affordable prices.
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Pure Dental is a family dentistry practice located in Tampines and Toa Payoh.
Pure Dental is a family dentistry practice located in Tampines and Toa Payoh.
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