Missing teeth are an enormous problem for many patients. While for most of us the problem goes away with an implant or two, elderly patients need to fix multiple missing teeth.
The same is true of those who suffer from accidents. Implants are not the answer when so many are missing. There is not enough space on the jawbone to house several screws and abutments.
Till now, most resorted to dentures of some variety. Thanks to advances in medical research, a new option known as All On Four is now available.
It is a complete set of dental implants that replaces all the teeth in your upper or lower jaw. The entire set rests on four screws and hence the name “All On Four”.
A similar idea has been tried before, but All On Four succeeds because of the tilting of the posterior screws at a 45-degree angle.
It is the result of 30 years of painstaking research by Portuguese dentist Paulo Maló and implant maker Nobel Biocare AB of Sweden.
Each regular dental implant has a titanium screw. The dentist drills a hole in the jaw and inserts the screw with an abutment on top and a crown is placed on the abutment.
That would mean several holes for inserting a dozen or more implants in each jaw (if someone wanted full replacement).
Not only is it expensive and time-consuming, but there also is not enough bone material for such treatment.
This is where All On Four scores. All the teeth rest on four screws that are specially designed. There is minimum pain and expenditure for maximum effect.
It is a complete replacement prosthetic. There is no way to test out how you will look beforehand, except through 3D images.
Of course, the prosthetic will match your face exactly and is manufactured using the latest technology. But no mockup is possible.
1. Consultation
At this stage, the dentist would inspect your mouth closed. He would need several x-rays and an orthopantomogram or full mouth wide-angle x-ray.
He would have to know in-depth about the amount of bone material in the mouth. With age, the jaw bone dissolves and becomes porous.
The more dense the bone, the better the outcome. After all, the screws have to take an immense amount of pressure and need to be fixed perfectly.
2. Preparation
At this stage, the patient’s oral cavity would be measured from several angles. False teeth have to be precisely placed. A millimeter difference can cause a skewed bite and knock the corresponding teeth on the other jaw out of alignment.
The height of the gumline, overbite, or under bite has to be recorded exactly. Bite impressions on soapy material are taken. These are used to make temporary dentures to be inserted after the operation.
3. Surgical Procedure
The procedure happens under general anaesthesia. Any existing teeth are removed first. Remnants of past teeth, e.g. broken root, are also removed.
The gums are inspected closely, and excess tissue is removed. An incision is made in the jaw, and the bone is revealed. Holes are made with millimeter precision.
The cosmetic dentist has to be very careful not to disturb a nerve in the process. The screw is inserted, and the gum is sutured.
4. Post Surgery
After the patient recovers from sedation, he will be sent home. Of course, that happens only if his vitals are normal. Pain-relieving medication is prescribed. There is a degree of pain since multiple teeth have been removed, holes drilled and screws inserted.
Some amount of bruising is normal. For three months or a little more, the patient has to be on a soft food diet. This healing period is required for the bone to grow and grasp the screws. Calcium supplements may be prescribed to speed up the process.
After the bruising heals in a week, temporary dentures are put in place and the patient can resume a normal life.
When the mouth has completely healed and another set of x-rays shows that the screws are strongly anchored, the final prosthesis is put in place. This causes no pain since it is screwed on and attached with dental glue.
The operation can be performed both by those dentists who are trained in maxillofacial surgery and those who specialize in cosmetic dentistry.
There is nothing that qualifies one more than the other. However, a maxillofacial surgeon is better equipped to deal with any complications arising out of the procedure.
If you take good care of your oral cavity and consume a healthy and balanced diet, there is no reason it should not last lifelong. When you are addicted to caffeine and alcohol, you lose calcium and, hence, bone mass.
Therefore, it is advisable that your intake of these is in moderation and you take food rich in calcium such as cheese, yoghurt, and sardines. Plenty of sunlight, about 15 minutes in the early morning, is ideal for Vitamin D synthesis and helps bones remain strong.
The All On Four procedure takes many hours. Pre and post-operative care are necessary. There are also several titanium crowns and implants.
In the UK, it costs between £14500 to £18500. That sounds a lot, but considering that it is a complex procedure performed under general anaesthesia is not too much.
Of course, some establishments might charge more than the median.
At Natural Smiles, we are experts in providing the finest possible dental care. Our services include the All On Four implant procedure done at a very reasonable price.
There are no hidden charges, no surprise post-op expenses. We are upfront, and efficient. Thousands of satisfied customers would attest to the fact that we are the best. Call us today and let us tell you more about the All On Four procedure.
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