For people who are missing most (or all) of their teeth, all-on-4 full arch dental implant-supported appliances are one of the best replacement options available. Also known as all-on-4s or hybrid implant-supported dentures, these dental appliances are a natural-looking and durable solution that’s meant to last a lifetime. Hybrid dentures consist of false teeth attached to 4, 6, or 8 titanium posts, depending on your dental needs. The posts are surgically implanted into the jaw to securely support the appliance, ensuring you can eat and speak comfortably without risking your new set of teeth falling out.
If you’ve been considering hybrid dentures to restore your smile, you’re probably wondering what to expect before, during, and after the procedure. Many people have questions about the all-on-4 step-by-step procedure, which we’ll explain below.
The All-on-4 Implant-Supported Denture Procedure
Step 1: Consultation
As with any oral surgery, an initial consultation is necessary to determine whether you are a good candidate for hybrid dentures. During this visit, we will evaluate your gums and jawbone to see if they are healthy enough to support dental implants. This involves taking dental X-rays and performing a detailed CBCT scan (cone beam computed tomography) of your mouth.
The CBCT scan and X-rays are also important for:
- Planning for the most accurate placement of the implants
- Fabricating a comfortable, natural-looking set of false teeth
We will also determine whether tooth extractions are necessary before placement. We never extract healthy teeth, but extraction may be necessary if the remaining teeth have severe decay. You should also expect to discuss your medical history and current medications to ensure a safe procedure.
If getting all-on-4s is the right procedure for you, we will then review the treatment plan with you. This is an excellent opportunity to ask questions about the procedure and dental implant aftercare.
Next, you will need to schedule any necessary tooth extractions and the all-on-4 dental implant arch placement, which can often be scheduled for the same day. Our advanced in-house technology makes the overall process of getting dental implants extremely efficient.
Make sure to wear comfortable clothing since the appointment can take a couple of hours. You’ll also need to ask someone to bring you home afterward because you will be sedated during the implant procedure, which can impair driving.
Step 2: Tooth Extractions
The next step after the consultation is to remove the remaining natural teeth (if necessary) to make room for the all-on-4 dental prosthesis. The tooth extraction is typically performed on the same day as implant placement. If you don’t have any remaining teeth, you will only need to have the implants placed.
Step 3: Placing the Dental Implants
After you have been sedated using general anesthesia, we will place the dental implants and a temporary arch. At Copper Creek Dental, we fabricate a surgical guide that helps us place the dental implants with optimum accuracy. The surgical guide is custom-created using a scan of your mouth, and it will fit over your gums to mark the exact placements for the implant posts.
Using the guide, we make incisions in the gums and place the number of implants necessary for your treatment (four implants for all-on-4, six for all-on-6, and so on). Then, we stitch the gums closed around the implants. After surgically placing the implants, we attach a temporary set of false teeth to protect the implant posts and restore your smile while your mouth heals.
Step 4: Recovery
The healing process after dental implant surgery typically takes three to six months. Luckily, thanks to the temporary prosthesis, you will never be without teeth during that time. At our dental practice, we offers platelet-rich fibrin therapy to help naturally enhance your body’s ability to heal, which can speed up recovery.
Make sure to follow your post-operative instructions closely and take any prescribed medication as directed.
As your mouth heals, the implant posts will fuse to your jaw bone through a process called osseointegration. This is what makes hybrid dentures so stable and what makes them superior to other restorations like dentures and bridges.
Step 5: Attaching the Permanent Restorations
After your mouth has fully healed, you’ll return to have the permanent full arch (set of false teeth) attached to your dental implants. Your dentist will check your bite and make the necessary final adjustments to your prosthesis.
Hybrid Implant-Supported Dentures in South Jordan, Utah
If you’d like to get back to living confidently with a complete set of teeth, contact Copper Creek Dental. We help adults in Daybreak and the neighboring communities transform their smiles in as few appointments as possible. We can determine whether you need all-on-4 full arch dental implant-supported appliances, single implants, or other restorations. Give us a call at 801-280-1911 to schedule a consultation so you can find out whether getting all-on-4s is the right treatment for you.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (3/23/2023). Photo by Marius Christensen on Unsplash