An introduction to the All-on-4® concept, benefits, and treatment process
Peter O. Cabrera, DDS and Bahareh Sabzehei, DDS, MS, Periodontics and Dental Implants are optimally equipped to successfully and safely perform All-on-4 dental implant treatment. As periodontists and implant surgeons, our specialists serve Chicago, Illinois, and beyond with trusted expertise in rebuilding teeth and tissues. The All-on-4 treatment concept presents a comparatively fast, conservative, and economical way to rebuild smiles among those who have lost all of their in the upper and/or lower dental arch(es).
An Introduction to All-on-4
Pioneered by Nobel Biocare™ more than 25 years ago, All-on-4® gets its name from an all-important and fundamental feature of this treatment: As few as four dental implants are placed in the upper or lower arch. This means that a minimal number of implants support, retain, and stabilize a maximal number of replacement teeth. This “full-arch prosthesis” is either an upper or lower denture. The denture is attached to the implants, which eventually fuse to the surrounding bone in the jaw. The implants can then function like tooth roots to hold the denture in place.
All-on-4® dentures most closely “mimic” the design and structure of natural teeth.
The benefits of All-on-4®
Due to the design and structure that mimics natural teeth, patients are highly satisfied with their All-on-4® dentures. They like how natural the teeth feel in their mouth. These dentures also support healthy, efficient chewing function and proper, clear speech. Notably, since this system requires minimal supportive implants, there is less trauma to the mouth and time spent in the treatment chair. Since the implant is generally the most expensive part of treatment, we help contain the expense associated with this process by minimizing the number of implants.
Additionally, even patients with existing bone loss can be candidates for All-on-4® — and they do not need to undergo preparatory procedures to benefit from implant dentures. This benefit is rooted in the fact that implants in this system are positioned at angles and in ways that make the most of the available bone in the jaw. For this reason, All-on-4® is often characterized as a “graft-less” procedure.
What to expect
To ensure precise placement of your implants, Drs. Cabrera and Sabzehei use a surgical guide designed from 3D scans and molds of patients’ teeth. This precision planning allows us to accurately position implants and fabricate prosthetic teeth in a single visit. Patients can have extractions performed during the same visit as their implant placement and the delivery of their provisional All-on-4® denture. By “provisional,” the immediate denture that is applied serves as a temporary placeholder. This temporary denture allows for you to never be seen in public without teeth; however, we must later design and fabricate a permanent denture once the treatment sites and jawbone have healed.
With good care, paying special attention to cleaning around the gums that cover the implants, All-on-4® dentures have minimal risk of failure and can last a lifetime.
This is just a quick glimpse and introduction to a revolutionary technique. We are sure you have additional questions about the process and treatment options. We welcome them!
Contact Peter O. Cabrera, DDS and Bahareh Sabzehei, DDS, MS, Periodontics and Dental Implants, at (312) 736-7959 to reach our office, conveniently located on the Near North Side of Chicago, Illinois, near the North/Clybourn “L” stop on the Red line.