Tooth loss can leave patients with severely impacted oral capabilities. Dentists can help them chew, speak, and perform other oral functions again with tooth replacement treatment.
For a long-term solution, dentists can suggest replacing missing teeth with a dental implant. If you need a device to replace an entire arch of teeth, your dentist may offer an All-on-Four implant. Read on to learn about three qualities that make patients good candidates for an All-on-Four dental implant.
Candidates for All-on-Four Dental Implants
Patients Seeking Full Mouth Reconstruction
An All-on-Four dental implant replaces a full arch of missing teeth. Patients may receive one of these implants on the top, bottom, or both arches if needed. But because of the scope of the implant, this device will suit patients who need full reconstruction of either arch of their smile.
If you have lost one or a few teeth, you may prefer a single dental implant or a dental bridge to restore your smile. Patients who are on the verge of losing all of the teeth on one arch may ask their dentist to replace the full arch.
This treatment can provide the stability that patients who have tried other tooth replacement options may have struggled to find. One fixture can resolve many oral health issues following tooth loss. Your dentist can check the health and structure of your smile to see if full arch reconstruction with an All-on-Four implant is the best choice for your case.
Patients Unhappy with Removable Dentures
When a patient has missing teeth, they sometimes elect to try removable dentures before committing to an implant. These dentures can help patients eat and speak normally again and fill gaps in their smiles. But they can sometimes slip out of place. Dentures also do not address the risk of jawbone deterioration that can occur after tooth loss.
Dental implants provide tooth replacement that is secure and reliable for patients. The anchors of the implant will also prevent jawbone loss, providing more benefits than appliances that only replace teeth above the gumline.
Many patients also like that an All-on-Four implant can last for twenty or more years once secured into place. Removable dentures usually need to be replaced after five years.
Patients Who Will Not Need a Bone Graft
Because patients can suffer the loss of bone in the jaw after tooth loss, not all patients seeking teeth replacement treatment can receive a dental implant. An implant-supported denture will require enough jawbone to serve as a stable foundation for the anchors of the implant.
If too much bone has been lost, a dentist may suggest that the patient has a bone graft. This surgery will build more structure in the jaw. However, this treatment is not feasible for every patient.
For instance, patients with diabetes, osteoporosis, or other underlying medical issues might not be able to get this type of oral surgery. An All-on-Four dental implant does not require a bone graft, so these patients can still find effective tooth replacement treatment.