Am I a Good Candidate for All-on-4® Implants?

Dental implants have a startling 4,000-year-old history, first found as bamboo pegs fitted for the empty sockets of missing teeth. Contemporary devices have a more modest narrative, emerging with the discovery that the metal titanium works well with bone tissue in the mid-20th century. 

Implant technology continues to evolve, and the All-on-4® implant system provides a secure alternative to full denture plates. Instead of a one-to-one tooth replacement technique, All-on-4 uses four implants to support an entire upper or lower arch of teeth — an alternative for patients with advanced tooth loss. 

The team at Pure Smiles in Scottsdale, Arizona specializes in All-on-4 implant treatments. While All-on-4 is versatile, it’s not recommended for every patient. Let’s look at the system in greater depth so you can decide to explore this innovative teeth replacement concept with our experts.

How dental implants work

Dentures have been used for centuries to replace lost teeth. One shortfall of denture technology is that it only recreates the visible portions of teeth. The roots of teeth below the gumline aren’t replaced in a denture system, which leads to constant problems with plate movement. 

Without the shifting loads on the roots of teeth, you’ll begin to lose bone tissue in the jaw arches, since bone loses the stimulation of this important interaction. 

Dental implants, in their basic form, replace the entire tooth, both above and below the gumline. Using a screw made of titanium as a prosthetic root, an implant supports an abutment and crown. 

Implant versatility comes from the abutment. It’s an interface between the implanted base and the above-the-gumline portion. All-on-4 uses four screws per arch and a modified abutment to support a structure that then receives the crown restorations that people see. 

You gain the advantages of restored roots in the jawbone as well as the cosmetic benefits of a full set of matching crowns. 

Am I a good candidate for All-on-4 implants? 

Every implant treatment hinges on unique elements like the strength of your jawbone or how long you’ve been missing your teeth. We balance these factors to determine which implant system is best for you, since each technique has its own pros and cons. 

First, your condition establishes whether All-on-4 is necessary. To meet this target, you may have one of these conditions:

• Extensive tooth loss from decay or injury
• Advanced gum disease
• Remaining teeth that likely won’t benefit from other restorations

You don’t need to be completely toothless to benefit from All-on-4. However, your remaining natural teeth are likely compromised or at risk. 

Next, we determine the suitability of All-on-4 for your condition. The system requires certain amounts of bone tissue for creating a solid foundation for your implants and arches. If you’ve lost too much bone or gum tissue, All-on-4 may not be right for you. 

Because dental implants are a surgical procedure, we must assess the impact of treatment. The last step in determining candidacy for All-on-4 looks at your ability to recover well from the procedure. People with chronic health conditions like autoimmune disorders, high blood pressure, or uncontrolled diabetes must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. 

You can learn more about All-on 4 in consultation with Dr. Leila Shahbazi and her team at Pure Smiles. Book your visit online or call our office to schedule an appointment. All-on-4 may be the tooth restoration system you need. See you soon.