How All on 4 Dental Implants Work

Replacing lost teeth as quickly as possible is a key way to protect your jawbone. Implants can protect against bone loss and spacing problems. Dentures can help, but dental implants are the better choice, especially if you have strong bones in the jaw. At Smile Now STL, Dr. Thomas O’Connor offers the All on 4 dental implant procedure that uses fewer implants to replace the teeth with a complete set. Here’s a closer look at how this procedure works and why many patients prefer it over dentures or individual implants.

Full Set of Teeth with Just Four Implants

The All on 4 procedure allows your dentist to add a full set of teeth connected to just two implants. The implants, which fit in the rear of the mouth, are placed at a 30 to 45-degree angle. This technique allows for the placement of implants even if the bone structure is not conducive to traditional implants. These new implants support artificial teeth, keeping them permanently in place, just with fewer implants.

What to Expect from the All on 4 Dental Implant Procedure

All on 4 is designed for people who have no natural teeth left. If you have natural teeth, they need extraction before the implants can go in. Your dentist will do this while placing the implants.

On the day of your procedure, you will receive anesthesia, and your dentist will place four implants in the back of the mouth, two on the bottom and two on the top. You will then receive temporary dentures for several months while the implants graft to the bone. Once you heal completely, your dentist will place the permanent tooth replacements on the implants, and you will be as good as new.

Are you interested in this less invasive but still effective procedure? Contact your St. Louis dental team at Smile Now STL to learn more.