All on 4

   

 

 

They're called All-on-4, why are 6-8 implants better?

Mechanically, the process of holding a full set of teeth with four screws into the bone in most cases is sufficient to withstand the masticatory load with good dental aesthetics. This is because the screws can be spread out far enough in the jaw bone giving the effect of a tripod. This tripod base is needed in order to hold the permanent denture.

We should note that, eventually it becomes a problem when one of the dental implants fails after the permanent denture is installed. Now the tripod effect is lost, the entire restoration now needs to be recreated to maintain both dental aesthetics and implant stability. Dental implants are not 100% successful and permanent dentures are expensive to re-make. At our Houston implant center, we like to take into account prospective dental implant failures whenever we plan for an All on 4 aesthetic dental implant procedure.

At QDT Houston dental implant department, we clearly differentiate between lower and upper jaw treatment planning. In our QDT opinion, it is better to place 6 or 8 implants when dealing with a regular edentulous upper jaw. As a result, the technique is strategically engineered in order to provide more support for the permanent denture. The cost for those extra implants will not be significant when considering the whole treatment. However, this All-On-6, or even All-On-8 system will be safer and more foreseeable in the long run, because they will compensate for eventual one or two failed implants.

 

WHY WE USE 3D GUIDED SURGERY

All of four implant surgeries are guided through our 3D technology software. On this software we are able to study and design the implant placement customized for each patient. With this software we can ensure that we are maximizing the benefits of your residual bone. This process allows for us to use the best implant size in order to cater to your residual bone. After designing your implant placement in our software, a guide made with special acrylic will be printed.

This guide will be positioned on top of your jaw bone to assist the doctor, by allowing him to place the dental implants according to the exact plan of the software. Your entire treatment has been thoroughly planned and studied by the doctor prior to your surgery. This promotes for a faster surgery and healing process, because of the precise and proper implant placement

Why is it important to have an in-house lab technician?

Having a laboratory in the office makes the All-On-4 procedure simple, secure, and less time consuming. This allows you to receive the final permanent denture the same day of surgery.  On the other hand, if the laboratory is outside of the dental office, more time is needed to fabricate the permanent denture. This could potentially lead to inaccuracies or delays, which can be caused during the shipping or miscommunication with the laboratory.

At QDT we ensure that your teeth in a day will be fabricated adequately, with maximum quality control of the product. If the permanent denture breaks for any reason, the denture can be repaired the same day. If the laboratory is outside the office more time is needed to fix it.

Teeth in a day

  1. For your All-On-4 implant consultation, you will have a complete oral evaluation including a 3D Radiograph. Most of these radiographs emit high doses of radiation, but at QDT we use the latest technology utilizing an  ultra-low dosage with Plan-Meca.
  2. With the clinical exploration and the CT scan we will plan your implant case on the computer in 3 dimensions. We will simulate all implant placements on the computer, which allows us to see the final results prior to performing the surgery. The objective of this planning is to accurately select the right size of implant or to determine whether you need bone replacement with a bone graft to achieve our desired results.
  3. After your evaluation, we will present a comprehensive treatment plan that informs you of any fillings, crowns, orthodontics, or any other dental treatment you may require. We will together address the findings on the treatment plan and once accepted you will be able to schedule your implant placement procedure and any other treatment you would like to complete.
  4. For the All-On-4 procedure we will need to numb the area where the missing teeth are located. Next, we make a small incision and screw the implants into the jawbone or maxilla.  It is very important at this stage that the implant is fixed into your bone. We will have a follow up appointment 2 weeks later. At this appointment we will make sure that your gums are healing well, we will remove the stitches if needed, and adjust the bite of your new temporary teeth.
  5. Four months after placement, we will take new impression of your teeth.
  6. Two weeks after this appointment we will try in your new teeth. We will make the final aesthetic and occlusal considerations for your final restoration.
  7. After the laboratory processes your final set of teeth we will make the final appointment for the delivery of your final restoration.
  8. Six months later you will need to return to our office once more for a routine radiograph, and follow up cleaning.