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Dental Implants: The All-on-4 Procedure

Dental Implants: The All-on-4 Procedure

All-on-4 ChicagoDental implants typically are anchored into a patient’s jaw bone, and replacement teeth are then placed on top of them. In the past, patients whose jaw bones had been partially resorbed following tooth loss had to undergo surgeries in which bone from elsewhere was grafted into the jaw to create sufficient bone mass to hold the implants. These surgeries added a significant amount of time to the course of treatment, and patients had to be without teeth or wear unstable dentures in the interim.

Now, the All-on-4 procedure for placing dental implants offers new hope for streamlined treatment to Chicago dental implant patients with bone loss. The All-on-4 procedure, which maximizes use of the remaining bone, is a particularly attractive option in cases of patients who need full upper or lower restorations and have more dramatic bone loss.

The All-on-4 procedure entails the placement of four implants in the front portions of the upper or lower jaw, also known as the anterior region.  This section of the jaws tends to retain more bone density even as other parts atrophy and shrink.

The four dental implants are placed with the two rear implants angled in order to allow for them to emerge as far back in the mouth as possible to properly support a full arch attached bridge.  In addition, the implants on either end must be angled underneath the gum to avoid having to bone graft the sinuses on the upper jaw and to avoid a sensory nerve in the lower jaw.  Above the gum, though, all of the dental implants are straight and parallel.  What is unique to this procedure is that immediately after the implants are placed, the implant dentist attaches a complete arch of replacement teeth.

The revolutionary All-on-4 procedure eliminates the need for having to use more than four implants and for bone grafting.  Most importantly, an All-on-4 procedure impressively allows for teeth to be attached to these dental implants all during a single appointment. Over time, the implants will integrate into the surrounding bone, and a permanent replacement full arch bridge will be made that will look, feel and function just like the real thing. As long as they are well cared for, All-on-4 implants can last for a lifetime after they are initially placed.

Contact our Chicago All-on-4 practice to see if you are a candidate for this procedure.

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