All-on-4 Dental Implants – Tulsa, OK
Fast & Sturdy Full-Arch Tooth Replacement
Dental implants are meant to replace the roots of lost teeth. But does that mean you need an implant for each and every missing tooth? No, not necessarily. In fact, thanks to the innovative All-on-4 treatment, you may be able to enjoy fast and sturdy full-arch tooth replacement with as few as four dental implants. To learn more about this remarkable treatment, contact O’Brien Dental Wellness Center in Tulsa. We are eager to hear from you!
How Do All-on-4 Dental Implants Work?
During the All-on-4 procedure, we carefully place four dental implants at strategic places in the jawbone. Two go toward the front, and two are placed closer to the back at an angle. This technique utilizes areas of the bone that are naturally strong and thick, so the implants are able to support a provisional (temporary) denture right away. (Because of this, All-on-4 treatment is sometimes called Teeth in a Day.) After a healing period of a few months, the temporary denture gets replaced with a permanent restoration.
Am I a Candidate for All-on-4 Dental Implants?
You might be a suitable candidate for All-on-4 treatment if:
- You have lost all or most of your teeth throughout one of your dental arches.
- You are free of active gum disease and other health conditions that could compromise your implants’ success.
- Your jawbone is strong enough to support dental implants. (With All-on-4, most patients meet this criterion — even without a bone graft!)
- You are committed to good habits that will support the long-term success of your dental implants.
If you are unsure if All-on-4 is right for you, visit us for a consultation. Most patients can qualify for this procedure!
Benefits of All-on-4 Dental Implants
The All-on-4 procedure offers some outstanding benefits:
- You can enjoy a strong bite force that is able to stand up to virtually any food, including relatively tough and chewy items.
- We carefully design All-on-4 dentures so they look both natural and attractive.
- All-on-4 dentures are permanently attached to the implants that support them (they should only be removed during dental appointments). Because of that, you can treat them almost exactly like you would natural teeth.
- Jawbone preservation. Dental implants can help to keep your jawbone strong, healthy, and whole.
- Dental implants and their restorations have the potential to last for many years.
All-on-4 vs. Traditional Dental Implants
All-on-4 treatment is often faster than full-arch tooth replacement with traditional implants. That is because All-on-4 usually requires just one surgery, as opposed to two or more. The streamlined treatment process may also make All-on-4 less costly than some traditional implant procedures.
Of course, there are some situations in which traditional implants would be the better choice. For example, placing more implants might lend greater stability to a denture. Dr. O’Brien and our team will help you compare the pros and cons of your tooth replacement options so you can make a confident and well-informed decision about how to move forward.
All-on-4 Dental Implants FAQs
What foods can you eat after getting All-on-4 dental implants?
After your All-on-4 dental implants are surgically placed along your jawbone, you will have to stick to a soft food diet until your mouth makes a full recovery. This means you’ll have to avoid overly hard, crunchy, and chewy foods like caramel, ice, and nuts. As you continue to heal, you can start introducing more solid foods into your diet. Eventually, you’ll be able to eat all of your favorites without issue.
Do All-on-4 dental implants take a long time to heal?
It depends on the person, but on average, it can take up to six months to fully recover from All-on-4 dental implant surgery. While soft oral tissue typically heal within two weeks, osseointegration (the process where your dental implants will fuse with your jawbone) is a longer process.
That said, we do offer PRF (platelet rich fibrin) treatment. Thanks to advanced technology and some scientific ingenuity, PRF treatment can help speed up the body’s natural healing ability.
Part of the reason your implant dentist in Tulsa will have you attend several follow-up appointments is so that our team can monitor your recovery progress. If we believe your expected timeline needs to be adjusted, we’ll be sure to update you.
Can I replace both arches of teeth at the same time?
It is possible to replace both the upper and lower arches of teeth at the same time with All-on-4s. However, whether your implant dentist in Tulsa recommends doing so is another matter. If your mouth is generally healthy and you don’t have much jawbone loss, it could be safe to replace both arches during the same appointment. But depending on your unique circumstances and health history, we may have to approach your treatment more gradually.
Rest assured, we’ll be able to tell what path is right for you after your consultation and exam, so you’ll know what to expect ahead of time.
Is it normal for All-on-4 dental implants to bleed?
If you’ve recently had your All-on-4 dental implants placed or adjusted, then yes – it’s considered normal to experience some mild bleeding. However, if the bleeding lasts for longer than anticipated or becomes severe, then something could be wrong with your implants or oral health.
When complications are addressed early on, the odds of us being able to salvage your dental implants in Tulsa is higher. Whether you’re concerned or unsure about your symptoms, please give us a call. We’re just as happy to reassure you that nothing is wrong as we are to help you with a dental emergency.