This article describes the “All-on-Four” surgical protocol for complete oral rehabilitation and how it makes it possible for oral surgeons to give patients a new set of non-removable teeth in as little as a single day.
New teeth… in one day. Okay, where’s the catch? It wouldn’t be unreasonable of you to ask this question. In fact, most patients do when they hear about the ability of “All on 4” dental implants to give patients a brand new set of non-removable, immediately functional teeth in as little as a single day. The surgical technique that offers edentulous (toothless) and near-edentulous patients a second chance at having a beautiful and confident smile was innovated in the early 1990’s by European implantologist Dr. Paulo Malo. Since their conception, All on 4 dental implants have gone on to treat tens of thousands of patients across the globe and have revolutionized the fields of dental implantology and fixed oral rehabilitation. So how do All on 4 dental implants make new teeth in a day possible?
What are “All on 4” Dental Implants?
The “All on 4” is essentially a surgical protocol that governs the oral rehabilitation of patients who have lost most, if not all of their teeth to periodontal (gum) disease and dental decay. It involves the placement of four dental implants per jaw and the affixing of a fully customized, non-removable prosthetic dental bridge to the abutments or ‘collars’ of these dental implants (see image above). Unlike traditional surgical techniques, the “All on 4”, as the name suggests, only requires four dental implants to be placed per jaw, which can be achieved with a single surgery. The result of the procedure is a brand new set of teeth that not only functions like natural healthy teeth, but looks and feels like them too. Furthermore, unlike removable dentures or false teeth, “All on 4” dental implants are permanently ‘anchored’ in the jaw bone, so they can’t shift around or fall out. They also do not require removal after meals to be cleaned or at nighttime.
“All on 4” Dental Implants: Making New Teeth in a Day Possible
The key to the ability of “All on 4” dental implants to give patients a new set of teeth in a single day is the following:
Owing to the exact location and precise angulation of dental implants in regions of the jaw that naturally contain a greater volume of more atrophy resistant bone tissue, our specially trained oral surgeons are almost always able to provide patients with new teeth without bone grafting surgery first. This procedure is frequently required by patients who have lived without teeth, or with removable dentures, for many, many years. Without the essential source of stimulation supplied by the tooth roots to the underlying jaw bone, this tissue will actually diminish in volume, just like unexercised muscles will atrophy and waste away. After many years of unimpeded bone loss in the jaw, many patients cannot be considered candidates for traditional dental implant procedures without bone grafting surgery first.
The problem with bone grafting is that it is a lengthy, painful and expensive procedure that requires several months of healing before the jaw bone is strong enough to support dental implants. “All on 4” dental implants almost always avoid the need for this additional surgery, which not only saves patients a post-procedural recovery marked by substantial pain and discomfort, but also several months of waiting until they can get a full set of teeth placed.
A Final Note on “All on 4” Dental Implants
The differences between traditional dental implants protocols and the “All on 4” not only allow patients to get a beautiful and confident smile back in as little as a single day. Without the need for as many as 20 dental implants, multiple surgeries and bone grafting, patients are also looking at making incredible savings of tens of thousands of dollars! “All on 4” dental implants offer incredible solutions at costs that make oral rehabilitation available to one and all.