Traditionally, when people needed to replace an entire arch of teeth, they would go to their local dentist or periodontist to get fitted for dentures. Even though dentures have improved over the years, they are unable to provide the functionality and appearance of your natural teeth. Dental implants, on the other hand, can offer you all the benefits of your natural teeth but it would be extremely expensive and difficult to replace an entire arch of teeth (14-16 teeth) with individual implants. Fortunately, the All on 4 dental implant technology can replace an entire arch of teeth with only 4 dental implants. So, what’s the best option for replacing an entire arch?
Dentures
Dentures are artificial removable dental arches that fit directly over your gums and are often secured with dental adhesive. They consist of porcelain teeth that are connected to an acrylic/plastic base designed to resemble your gums. However, even with the adhesives, dentures can still slip while eating or speaking. Here are some of the benefits and drawbacks of replacing your missing teeth with dentures.
Benefits of Dentures
- Initially, they can be less expensive than implants
- They are a non-invasive solution to missing teeth
- They are ideal for an individual who has an unhealthy jaw or general health issues
Issues with Dentures
- May experience sores due to ill-fitting dentures
- Food trapped between dentures and gums can cause gum disease
- Bone deterioration since dentures are removed at night while sleeping
- Bone deterioration can affect the shape of your face and the look of your smile
- Need to be adjusted due to the atrophy of your jaw and may even need to be replaced from time to time
- In the long-term, the actual cost of dentures can surpass that of implants
- They need special maintenance
- They can make eating and speaking more difficult
- You can lose or break them
All On 4 Dental Implants
All-on-4® dental implants allow New York periodontist, Dr. Kissel, to provide you with an entire mouthful of dental implants while using only 4 titanium rods per upper or lower bridge. In order to ensure that the All-on-4® treatment is suitable for you, Dr. Kissel takes a dental CT scan and performs diagnostic work. This will determine whether you are an ideal candidate for the dental implant procedure or if you will need a pre-procedure, such as a sinus lift, before the implants are inserted.
Unlike dentures, All on 4 implants are a permanent solution to missing teeth (i.e. you can’t remove them, this can only be done by your periodontist). As a result, the four dental implants can provide the stability needed to support all of the teeth in the upper jaw or lower jaw. This procedure eliminates the costly need to have an implant placed for every tooth that will be placed. There are additional benefits to choosing the All-on-4 method for teeth replacement. These benefits are related to your oral/physical health as well as your quality of life. Here are some of the main benefits and drawbacks that you should consider if you are thinking about replacing your missing teeth with All on 4 dental implants.
Benefits of All on 4 Implants
- They act and feel just like your natural teeth
- The implants act like natural tooth roots and stimulate the jaw bone, thus preventing bone atrophy
- You can eat any of your favorite foods without the fear of your teeth falling out
- You feel more confident wearing them since you are not limited by them in any way
- They can be brushed and flossed just like your natural teeth. No need for special maintenance or adhesive to keep them in place
- They can last a lifetime without worrying about re-fitting or readjusting them
Issues with All on 4 Implants
- You need a healthy jaw bone. If you don’t have enough bone mass you may a pre-procedure
- The initial cost can be greater than dentures
- They require surgery for placement
- If your implants are not installed properly and if you don’t maintain good oral health you may risk peri-implantitis (implant failure)
Comparing the Two Options
When most people consider dentures and All on 4 implants to replace their missing teeth, they normally focus on the cost and invasiveness. However, neither of these considerations should discourage you from choosing All on 4 implants.
Initially, the cost of All on 4 dental implants may be higher than dentures, but when you take into account maintenance costs such as special cleansers and adhesives and adjustments, the actual cost of your dentures can add up over the years. You may also need to replace your dentures due to damage and normal wear and tear. Unlike All on 4 implants that can last a lifetime, dentures will last you for 5 to 15 years.
As far as All on 4 being more invasive than dentures, this again is not as significant as you may believe. Dr. Kissel minimizes the invasiveness by planning three-dimensionally the procedure and using 3D surgical guides to place the implants for more accurate, safe, and ideal implant positioning as opposed to freehand implant placement. After the final fixed prosthesis is placed, your All on 4 implants will feel as if they are your natural teeth and you can start using them on the day they are placed.
Consult with a Qualified and Experienced Dental Implant Specialist
If you like to learn more about All on 4 dental implants, you should consult with a qualified implant specialist. If you are New York City resident, you can reclaim your beautiful smile and the full functionality of your teeth by booking your dental implant consultation with Dr. Kissel. During a consultation, he will perform a complete oral examination and explain the dental implant procedure to you, including tooth removal (if needed) and dental implant placement to ensure minimal trauma to the surgical site. Schedule your consultation today at his Manhattan periodontal office between E 52nd St. and E 53rd St.
