Full Arch Implant Replacements

All on 4 implants at a dental practice in Derby

Whilst individual dental implants are an excellent means of replacing a lost tooth, and indeed can be used to replace a number of teeth, using this method when a full arch of teeth need replacing can work out to be very costly and would also entail a lengthy procedural time to allow for any extractions, implantation and the healing period prior to the crown being fitted. It is likely too that not all of the teeth would be replaced at the same time which could treble the time taken for the whole procedure to be completed from start to finish. This then leaves the patient with a potential dilemma as the standard option for replacing an arch of teeth has always been dentures. However, as we know, these are not without their faults and problems and are, at best, a compromise for most people.

There is good news though in that dental implants can be used in the replacement of a full arch of teeth, albeit not to replace each tooth individually but to use just four dental implants to hold a fixed bridge into place leaving a strong and secure full replacement set of teeth.

There is even more good news in the fact that this can be done in just a single visit to our Derbyshire dental practice.

In some cases, to perform this procedure, it may be necessary to remove some teeth too. With this procedure which is called an ‘all on 4’, it may be possible to extract the tooth and then place the dental implant directly into the area of the tooth which has been extracted. This naturally saves a significant amount of time and is called ‘instant loading’. This may not be possible in all cases though and our implantologist will advise you about this.

The ‘secret’ to the all on 4 procedure is that whilst the two dental implants that are placed at the front of the mouth are standard dental implants which are placed at the usual 90 degree angle, the two dental implants which are placed at the rear are of a bespoke design and these are placed into the jawbone at an angle. It is this angle of placement which allows them to hold the fixed bridge into place, anchoring it securely and permanently.

Why an all on 4 and not dentures?

You might ask what the benefits of this procedure are over having dentures fitted. Well, the main benefit that people notice is that the all on 4 stays firmly in position and does not become loose as dentures are likely to do. The fact that the implants are placed into the bone also helps to prevent further bone loss in the jaw In fact, this procedure is ideal for those who have already lost a portion of their bone density due to the use of the specially designed implants. Because the bridge is fixed firmly into place too, it will feel more natural and will allow a much stronger bite than with dentures. This in effect means that there are no restrictions on what you can eat, allowing you to live a full social life without the embarrassment of having to eat using dentures.

Finally, unlike dentures which have to be removed to be cleaned, with the all on 4, you simply clean your teeth in the same manner than you would with regular teeth; all these benefits for a procedure which can be done in just a single day.

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