Many dental centers offer the promise of replacing all of a patient’s teeth in one day. The convenience of this type of procedure sounds tempting. They promise that it saves both time and money, but is it too good to be true?
How the Teeth-in-a-Day Process Works
The teeth-in-a-day process works by using a concept called All-on-4, in which the dental surgeon removes all existing teeth and large areas of the remaining jaw bone. They then place four dental implants in the upper and lower jaws and screw in a set of plastic replacement dentures. Two of the implants are placed into the bone at an angle to help avoid critical structures and eliminate the need for bone grafting.
The implantation process may take one day, but the actual planning process takes longer. The patient must have an initial consultation with a qualified surgeon in Beverly Hills, working as a team with their family dentist, to ensure they are a candidate for dental implants. This appointment includes a 3D CAT scan and the use of virtual planning software to design the replacement teeth and decide where to place the implants.
Benefits of All-on-4 Dental Implants
It is very important to consult with a qualified dental surgeon in Beverly Hills who works with your family dentist, as a team, to create customized treatment plans that fit each patient’s situation. The All-on-4 procedure may be a good choice for patients in Beverly Hills missing an entire row of bottom or upper teeth. Other options may be presented to create the best outcome for each patient.
Drawbacks of All-on-4 Dental Implants
All-on-4 implants are not a solution for every patient. Although the four implants used in the procedure are sturdy, it’s often more reliable to use six implants, especially in the upper jaw where the bone is less dense. Additionally, if an implant in the All-on-4 procedure were to fail — extremely unlikely, but still a possibility — the entire procedure would be a failure because three implants are not enough to secure a full arch of teeth.
In particular, the following kinds of patients may want to seek other options for replacing their missing teeth:
- Patients who have worn dentures for several years
- Patients without the right amount of bone, lip support or cheek support
- Patients who grind their teeth
- Patients who still have teeth remaining in their mouths
Breaking Through the Advertising
Many dental supercenters try to claim that traditional dental implant methods are outdated and that All-on-4 implants are the affordable and fast modern solution patients seek. All-on-4 dental implants can be successful in many cases, but they are not the one-size-fits-all solution that many places make them out to be. Only an experienced dental surgeon can analyze a patient’s bone quality, bone quantity and overall oral health to determine whether they are eligible to receive teeth in a day.
Learn More About Dental Implants in Beverly Hills
Are you wondering whether dental implants are right for you? Contact us today to schedule an appointment with a dental professional.
