What Are All on Four Dental Implants?
Not having a smile that feels perfect to ourselves can really affect our confidence, and sadly, 71% of British adults don’t feel confident showing their teeth. As dentistry has developed, new, more accessible alternatives for aligning teeth have emerged.
At Didsbury Dental Practice, we provide a variety of options when it comes to aligning your teeth. In this blog, we are going to be highlighting how you can get regain your smile by answering the question, ‘What are all on four dental implants?’
At Didsbury Dental Practice have collected all the answers you will need in order for you to know what we offer, and how it can help your teeth today.
So exactly what is all on four dental implants?
All on four dental implants are also known as zygomatic dental implants. Zygomatic implants are used in the upper jaw to provide support for a dental implant restoration where there has been a substantial amount of bone loss.
They are usually used in conjunction with ordinary dental implants to support the creation of a new denture platform or fixed bridge solution.
Zygomatic implants are longer than standard dental implants and ‘anchor’ to the cheekbone, or zygomatic arch – hence their name. This means that the implants can be used as an alternative to complex bone grafting operations, making it possible to carry out surgery in just one stage.
Zygomatic bone location can easily be felt as it forms the ridge above the fleshy area of the cheeks, along the outer rim of the eyes. If you run your fingers along either ridge from the side of the nose, the first part you feel is the lower rim of the eye socket.
The reason they are known as ‘all on four dental implants, is because there are 4 dental implants used. Generally, dental implants can last from 15-20 years with adequate care.
Some people choose implants over dentures as they are easier to manage and longer lasting, either option is suitable, provided you keep up with the required maintenance.
Prior to zygomatic implant surgery, a CBCT scan is taken to assess the amount of bone available in the upper jaw and allows us to ascertain if you are suitable for treatment using Zygomatic implants and plan their placement.
To make the experience as comfortable as possible, this particular treatment usually takes place under intravenous sedation.
Questions we get asked about all on four dental implants
Are all on four dental implants comfortable?
Yes, even though the implants are attached to your cheekbones, (which does sound gruesome) the process actually causes less trauma than using a bone graft. The application process is done through intravenous sedation, so you won’t feel a thing.
Zygomatic implants heal quicker than bone grafts but will take around 8 months to heal.
Are all on four dental implants removable?
No, unless done by a surgeon, the four implants can not be removed manually due to them being attached to your zygomatic bone.
how to clean all on four dental implants
Having a fixed bridge on zygomatic implants still means that you need to maintain regular daily oral hygiene. Brushing, using a water flosser routinely around the bridge and implants will help to keep the implants clean.
how much is all on four dental implants?
All on four dental implant costs may vary depending on your individual case, we recommend you take a look at our treatment fees to gauge the possible cost.
Private dental practices like ours have more freedom when it comes to treatment options, whether it’s for aesthetic purposes or to help your overall oral health, we are legally qualified to help you. Pricing of private dental care can seem daunting, but to help we’ve made our prices as accessible as possible so we offer a finance option for your dental treatment.
But are all on four dental implants available through the NHS?
Are dental implants available through the NHS?
Due to underfunding of the NHS over the years, the COVID-19 pandemic as well as new patients, NHS dentists are backlogged.
For the 65 million people in the UK, there are only 47,000 dental practitioners to help the population maintain good oral health. This comes out as almost 1383 patients per dental practitioner, and not all of these 47,000 dental practitioners practice orthodontics. fully highlighting the difficulty dental practitioners face with minimal support.
Implants are usually only available privately. They’re sometimes available on the NHS for patients who cannot wear dentures or whose face and teeth have been damaged, such as people who have had mouth cancer or an accident that’s knocked a tooth out.
There is a possibility you can obtain orthodontic care through the NHS, however, this is approved on a case-by-case basis.
If you’d like a full insight as to why doctors aren’t seeing NHS patients, you can check out our blog for all the information that can help you decide the future of your oral health.
Are all on four dental implants worth it?
We at Didsbury Dental Practice believe dental implants are worth the investment. They are one of the best treatment options to permanently replace a missing or damaged tooth.
Dental implants retain the aesthetics of a normal tooth with it being difficult to even tell they are actual implants.
Dental implants can also improve your speech and chewing, and greatly enhance your self-esteem. No need to worry about hiding any teeth gaps while you are out in public. dental implants are the solution.
An incredibly low-maintenance treatment option, dental implants don’t need to be removed, like dentures, so they are more convenient for everyday life, maintaining and cleaning them will guarantee they last long.
Dental implants are a fantastic tool to aid your oral health- they prevent jawbone deterioration and reduce or eliminate bone atrophy, which causes ‘shrinkage’ or facial cosmetic changes, whilst also supporting the teeth beside them.
Another added bonus is that dental implants do not require sticky denture adhesives (which are used to get dentures to stay perfectly in place on the gum line).
As you can see, dental implants offer a whole host of benefits- they are the ideal permanent solution for tooth loss.
When are All on Four dental implants unavailable to me?
There are a few occasions where patients may not qualify for dental implants, which include:
- Patients who don’t have enough jawbone to support dental implants.
- Patients who are limited in their ability to practice good oral hygiene.
- Patients who have an illness which can affect the success of an implant (e.g. persistent gum disease, alcoholism, or cancer).
- Patients whose jawbones are still developing.
If you do not qualify for dental implants, your dentist will be able to advise you on alternative treatment options.
Understanding the consultation process
Sometimes it can be daunting not knowing what to expect during your consultation, that is why we will break down the consultation process below.
During your consultation appointment for all on four dental implants, your dentist will provide all the information you need to know. They will assess your teeth and gums and consider the following:
- Your gum health
- Your overall health
- Your desire to replace missing teeth
- The state of your zygomatic bone
- Whether you are ready to undergo the dental implant installation procedure
If you are particularly young, the dentist may need to evaluate your bone development. So, you may require an X-ray as part of your consultation assessment.
If your jawbone has not fully matured, you may be considered too young for dental implants, so you will have to wait sometime before you can get them fitted. The consultation process is here so we can move accordingly with you to avoid as much hassle as possible with your procedure.
Book a consultation today
So, to conclude, what are all on four dental implants? They are:
- A secure, long-lasting alternative to dentures
- A quicker and much less gruelling process than traditional grafts
- Made for people with bone loss
Aside from the range of treatments and orthodontic services we offer, as a 24-hour emergency dentist, you can rest assured that we at Didsbury Dental Practice are here for you whenever you need it.
Whether you’re looking for a new reliable dental practitioner or looking for realignment treatment for your teeth, we have what you’re looking for. We hope to have answered the question ‘What are all on four dental implants?’ whilst providing you with all the information that we at Didsbury Dental Practice can offer you.
For all the information you need to know about dentistry, be sure to check out our blog page.
Want to book a consultation? Click the link here to be taken to our website.
Our opening hours are from:
9:00 AM – 12:00 AM – Monday to Sunday
Call us at:
0161 504 7425
Visit our practice:
Didsbury Dental Practice
90 Barlow Moor Road
Manchester
M20 2PN
United Kingdom
