Missing a tooth or teeth can be frustrating. It can even lead to low self-esteem. Additionally, missing teeth contribute to poor oral health and general health problems. You should undergo tooth replacement as soon as possible to maintain oral health and quality of life. Several options exist for replacing missing teeth, among them, dentures and dental implants.
A dental implant is a screw, usually made of titanium, which is surgically fitted into the jawbone. Dental implants serve as a tooth root in place of missing teeth. When put in place, the dentist will mount a ridge or crown onto the implant to replace a lost tooth. In situations where a patient is missing multiple teeth, the all on 4 dental implants are a durable and better option.
Table of Contents
What are all on 4 dental implants?
All on 4 dental implants are a form of tooth replacement. They rely on 4 implants on each gum to replace multiple teeth. A regular dental implant can support a single tooth. In contrast, all on 4 dental implants incorporate only four implants that are on either gum to have a full arch.
The part of the all-on-4 implants put inside the jawbone is similar to the regular dental implant. However, dentists replace the exposed top part of the all in 4 implants with a tip that is cap-shaped. The artificial teeth have a similar set of four holders that fit into the four tips, establishing a firm and secure connection.
All on 4 dental implants cost.
All on 4 dental implants cost Houston between $15000 and $35000. Bear in mind that this is the price per arch. However, the cost will still vary depending on the location of the clinic within Houston, Texas. For instance, all on 4 dental implants can cost as low as $19985 in Cypress, while it can be as high as $24, 995 in Sugar Land. Costs and prices of the all-on-4 dental implants vary depending on some factors. Some of these factors include:
- The area you live in.
- The dentist performing the procedure.
- Any necessary additional procedures.
- The complexity of an individual’s case.
At Voss Dental, we have affordable implants to suit your budget. A search of “cost of all on 4 dental implants near me” helps you determine prices of all on 4 dental implants outside Texas and every all on 4 Houston prices.
However, the all on 4 dental implants cost vary. In case the dentist needs to perform any additional procedures before fixing the all-on-4 implants, the cost will be higher. Additional procedures may include sinus lifts and bone grafting.
[ See also Dental Implants Cost Breakdown ]
Cost of dental implants bone grafting.
A bone graft can cost between $200 and $1200 per graft in Texas.
Procedure.
Initial consultation.
The initial meeting involves a regular dental exam. The dentist assesses the state of your teeth and gums and may take X-rays. The X-rays aid visualization of your gums to make sure that the implants fix correctly. The dentist will then consult you, and together, you will come up with a treatment plan. During this consultation, you should ask any questions you might have.
Preliminary procedures.
These vary from one patient to another. Also, all in four dental procedure cost will vary. Most preliminary procedures involve the extraction of teeth and treatment of any periodontal disease. Active gum disease can lead to dental implant infection or failure. Therefore, the dentist will treat the disease before fixing all-on-4 implants. Your dentist can do this through scaling and root planing. This is also known as deep dental cleaning in simpler terms. However, this step is unnecessary if you underwent the removal of the bad tooth or teeth.
During the preliminary procedure, a dental impression ensures that your dentures are ready when the procedure is complete.
Dental implants surgery.
Dental implants surgery involves the fixing of the all on 4 dental implants onto the gums. It also involves putting the patient under local anesthesia.
The dental implants surgery involves putting two dental implants at the front and two at the back on each gum. The dentist mounts the implants at an angle of 45 degrees. The four implants provide enough support to mount a whole arch. As a result of the stability, procedures like bone grafting may not be necessary.
However, in some instances, bone grafting for dental implants is essential. Dental grafting involves increasing the jawbone’s volume and density. This procedure mostly occurs when the jawbone is so thin that it cannot support dentition or an implant. A dental or bone graft thus provides a stable base for the implant. Bone grafting for dental implants is for patients who have bone loss due to:
- Old age.
- Gum disease that lacks treatment.
- Damage to the alveolar ridge.
- Tooth loss.
Denture fitting.
Dentists fits a denture onto the all-on-4 implants on the same day. However, if you need to heal first, you may go home with a temporary denture. After at least three months, he or she will mount the prosthesis.
Recovery.
After the procedure is complete, expect a full recovery in under eight months. It is essential to take great care of your implant afterward. As such, the aftercare begins immediately you get home. Below are things to do or avoid on the same day:
- Put packs of ice on the area in case of soreness.
- Consume soft foods or liquids only.
- Avoid touching the area around the implant.
- Avoid smoking.
- Abstain from drinking alcohol for three days.
Following surgery, it is crucial to keep up with the aftercare. Expect bleeding for the first 72 days after surgery. Patients may bite on gauze for a few minutes to control the bleeding. For pain management, you can use Tylenol. Patients should avoid using Advil or Ibuprofen as these harm osseointegration. Take painkillers before the anesthetic effect wears off, and when there is severe discomfort.
To minimize bruising and swelling of the gums and face, place an ice pack on your face for 10 to 15 minutes. You can also achieve this by propping up your body during sleep. Additionally, you should get enough rest and take a break from work for a few days after the surgery.
Good oral hygiene is of great importance. This is because the recovery of soft tissues depends on the maintenance of a clean environment. A dirty environment makes you susceptible to infections. Infections, in turn, lead to implant failure. Therefore, it is vital to practice good oral hygiene. Two best methods you can use to maintain oral hygiene are by regularly brushing your teeth and avoiding contact with the implant. If possible, do a mouth rinse after meals using a salt solution or chlorhexidine mouthwash.
Patients should avoid smoking for at least 60 days after the surgery. It is best to avoid smoking entirely as smoking may lead to implant failure due to infection. Lastly, patients should adhere to a diet containing only soft food for at least 90 days.
Benefits associated with all on 4 dental implants.
- Prevention of bone degradation and bone loss.
Losing teeth cause the jawbone to degrade. Because the all-on-4 dental implants fuse to the bone and act as a root, they put pressure on the jawbone. The pressure is similar to the pressure your natural teeth exert on the jawbone. This thus promotes bone mass retention. - All on four implants are a permanent solution.
A common question we get is, how long do all on 4 implants last? The prosthesis can last up to 15 years as long as you take proper care of it. Rods, on the other hand, provide life-long service. Thus, all-on-4 implants provide a permanent solution to missing teeth. Unlike a denture, they are secure and do not become loose over time. They also do not need multiple fittings, unlike a denture. - Easy to care for.
When caring for all-on-4 implants, you need only to brush, floss, rinse, and have regular checkups. It does not involve the tedious and costly routines you encounter with a traditional denture. - Self-confidence booster
These implants are secure and resemble real teeth. Thus, patients can enjoy a variety of food and drinks without worrying about their dentures falling off. This results in quality life and boosts self-confidence in public.
Problems associated with all-on-4 implants.
- Infection.
It may be difficult to remove food residue if the prosthesis covers your gums. Not cleaning the gum area effectively may lead to a build-up of bacteria resulting in infections. - Implant failure.
Failure mainly occurs due to poor oral hygiene or aftercare. - Speech issues.
Adapting to the prosthesis may be difficult for some and may lead to speech issues. However, this should go away after a few weeks.
Alternatives to all on 4 implants.
- All on 6 dental implants.
These are similar to all on 4 implants. However, all on 6 dental implants use six implants on each jaw, while all on 4 use four. Some dentists recommend the all on 6 dental implants because they offer better stability and strengthen the jaw, preventing deterioration. - Bridges on implants.
These involve attaching two to four non-removable bridges directly to the implants. Unlike the all-on-4 implants, they require less bone removal. - Removable implant denture.
This involves a denture that fits into two or four implants that you can remove for regular cleaning. It has seven levels of retention. Therefore, it allows the dentist and the patient to adjust the stability and retention.
At Voss Dental in Houston, we provide professional dental services. Our dental services include affordable implants to help you improve the quality of your life. If you are tired of having low esteem due to the state of your teeth, call us today to book an appointment. You can also visit our clinic for all on 4 Houston.