If you have missing teeth, then you’ve probably been tirelessly looking into the many different treatment options available to you. That research has no doubt led you to consider the All-on-4® dental implants that we offer here at Oral and Facial Surgeons of Arizona. Yet despite the recent popularity that these implants have acquired, relatively little is still widely known about them. With that in mind, here are four things that you should know about All-on-4 dental implants:
- They’re not dentures: Dentures constantly have to be removed for cleaning and maintenance. Plus, there’s the added concern of them not adhering properly to your gums. If this happens, they could easily slip out during a meal or even a conversation. All-on-4 implants, on the other hand, are permanently affixed to your jaw – allowing you to treat them just as you would normal teeth.
- They’re easily placed: If the thought of undergoing oral surgery makes you cringe don’t worry, you’re certainly not alone. Your ideas of what oral surgery entails may be similar to what you’d expect from a standard surgical procedure. Yet in fact, the All-on-4 procedure is much smoother than you may think. Your oral surgeon simply places the implants in your upper or lower jaw bones and then attaches your set of temporary teeth. Thanks to the use of a local anesthetic, you don’t feel a thing. Plus, because the procedure is minimally-invasive, you’ll experience very little in terms of post-operative pain.
- Wait, did you say temporary teeth? That’s right – your first set of teeth placed after your procedure is only temporary. Prior to undergoing the procedure itself, your oral surgeon will make a detailed impression of your oral cavity and gum line in order to create a customized set of permanent teeth. Once it’s determined that your All-on-4 implants have fused adequately with your jaw bone (about 6 months following your procedure), your permanent set of teeth will be ready to be placed.
- All-on-4 dental implants can last years: Following the placement of your implants, you’ll be given specific instructions on how to care for them, as well as a schedule of follow-up visits to check your progress. If you stick to this advice, you can expect your implants to last for years to come.
Knowing exactly what to expect from your All-on-4 dental implants can help you feel confident as you prepare for the procedure. Now that you have that knowledge, it’s time to put it to use. The team here at Oral and Facial Surgeons of Arizona wants to help you enjoy all the benefits that these dental implants have to offer.