Missing teeth can significantly impact your ability to chew, speak, and smile confidently. In fact, nearly three-quarters of the British population does not have a full set of natural teeth, with a concerning 6% having lost all of their original teeth. While dentures can offer a solution, they can often slip or become loose, leading to discomfort and impacting overall quality of life.
All-on-4 dental implants offer a revolutionary solution for patients with missing or severely damaged teeth. This innovative technique utilises just four implants to support a full bridge or denture, providing a stable, natural-looking, and long-lasting alternative to traditional dentures.
How Do All-on-4 Implants Work?
The All-on-4 implant procedure involves strategically placing four dental implants in your jawbone. These implants are typically made of titanium, a biocompatible material that fuses naturally with your bone over time. This fusion process creates a strong and stable foundation for your new teeth.
The dentist will position the implants at specific angles to distribute biting forces evenly and maximise implant stability. In many cases, a temporary denture can be placed on the implants immediately after surgery, allowing you to smile and eat confidently while your implants heal.
Once the healing process is complete, a permanent denture or bridge will be attached to the implants. This permanent restoration will be custom-made to perfectly match your smile and provide a natural look and feel.
Do All-on-4 Implants Feel Like Real Teeth?
One of the most common questions patients ask about All-on-4 implants is whether they feel like natural teeth. The good news is that All-on-4 implants can provide a remarkably natural feeling compared to traditional dentures.
Here’s why All-on-4 implants feel more natural:
- Osseointegration: Dental implants fuse with your jawbone through a process called osseointegration. This creates a strong bond that mimics the natural connection between your tooth roots and jawbone. This stable foundation provides a secure and comfortable feeling, similar to your natural teeth.
- Improved Stability: Traditional dentures rely on suction or adhesives to stay in place, which can lead to slipping and discomfort. All-on-4 implants are anchored directly into your jawbone, eliminating the movement and instability associated with dentures. This improved stability allows you to bite, chew, and speak with confidence, feeling more natural than dentures.
- Preserved Sensation: Dental implants can stimulate the underlying bone tissue, which can help preserve some of the sensory function you experience with natural teeth. This stimulation can contribute to a more natural feeling in your mouth.
The Benefits
While traditional dentures can restore your smile and improve your ability to chew, All-on-4 implants offer several advantages:
- Enhanced Comfort: All-on-4 implants are stable and secure, eliminating the discomfort of loose or slipping dentures.
- Improved Confidence: You can smile, speak, and eat freely without worrying about your dentures moving. This can significantly boost your confidence in social situations.
- Natural Feel: As discussed earlier, All-on-4 implants can provide a more natural feeling in your mouth compared to dentures.
- Preserved Bone Health: Traditional dentures can contribute to bone loss in the jaw over time. Dental implants help stimulate the jawbone, preventing bone resorption and maintaining facial structure.
- Durability: All-on-4 implants are made from high-quality materials and are designed to last for many years with proper care.
How All-on-4 Implants Can Improve Your Speech
In addition to restoring your ability to chew and smile, All-on-4 implants can also significantly improve your speech. When you are missing teeth, it can be difficult to pronounce certain sounds, which can affect your clarity and confidence when speaking.
All-on-4 implants provide a stable and secure foundation for your new teeth, which can help to improve your speech in several ways:
- Improved pronunciation: With a full set of stable teeth, you will be able to pronounce words more clearly and confidently.
- Reduced lisping: Missing front teeth can cause lisping, which can be embarrassing and frustrating. All-on-4 implants can help to eliminate lisping and improve your overall speech clarity.
- Increased confidence: When you can speak clearly and confidently, it can boost your self-esteem and improve your overall quality of life.
If you are concerned about how missing teeth are affecting your speech, All-on-4 implants may be a good option for you.
The All-on-4 Implant Procedure at Dental Lounge Eltham
We understand that every patient is unique. That’s why we take a personalised approach to All-on-4 implant treatment. During your initial consultation, we’ll carefully assess your oral health and discuss your treatment goals. We’ll then create a customised treatment plan that meets your specific needs and expectations.
The All-on-4 implant procedure is typically performed in two stages:
- Implant placement: During this stage, we will place four dental implants into your jawbone. This procedure is typically performed under local anaesthesia, and you will be comfortable throughout the process.
- Restoration placement: Once your implants have healed, we’ll attach a permanent denture or bridge to the implants. This restoration will be custom-made to match your unique smile and provide a natural look and feel.
Caring for Your All-on-4 Implants
To ensure the long-term success of your implants, it is important to follow good oral hygiene practices. This includes brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily, and visiting your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings.
You should also avoid biting down on hard objects, such as ice or popcorn kernels, as this can damage your implants. If you play contact sports, you may want to wear a mouthguard to protect your implants.
Contact Dental Lounge Eltham Today
If you are considering All-on-4 implants, we encourage you to contact us today to schedule a consultation. We’ll be happy to answer any of your questions and help you determine if All-on-4 implants are the right solution for you.
We look forward to helping you achieve a beautiful, healthy, and confident smile.