All-ON-4® – Worcester, MA

Creating Functional, Stable, and Longer-Lasting Smiles

When it comes to replacing an entire arch of teeth, you may decide that traditional dentures are not for you. Instead, you prefer a more stable solution – dental implants. Unfortunately, if your jawbone does not have enough support to withstand the pressure of an implant and its custom restoration, this can disqualify you from this type of restorative dentistry. What might seem hopeless is actually not at all thanks to Handsman & Haddad Periodontics, P.C. Using All-On-4® in Worcester, our team of dentists can restore your smile more quickly and without any necessary pre-implant dental work (i.e. bone graft or sinus lift). To find out how you can enjoy a longer-lasting smile, contact our office today to schedule an appointment.

How All-On-4® Implants Work

Even if your jawbone density is not up to par, Dr. Handsman and Dr. Jenny can use All-On-4® to give you the results you desire. While traditional implants require between 6 and 8 posts, All-On-4® uses only 4 titanium posts to hold up your custom denture. The way this works is we will first examine your oral cavity to determine the densest areas of your jawbone. After formulating a personalized treatment and surgical plan, we will make a few small incisions in your gums and place two implants toward the front of your mouth at an angle. This will ensure the greatest level of support when the restoration is placed.

Then, we will place two implants toward the back of your mouth to ensure proper stability and balance. Immediately following the implant placement, we will provide you with a temporary denture to wear while your permanent one is being created. This will allow you to see a completed smile the same day you arrived for your surgery.

How to Know if You’re Eligible for All-On-4® Implants

Although a strong jawbone isn’t necessary for All-On-4®, good oral and overall health are. The reason is if you have a compromised immune system or are suffering from gum disease, these can compromise your implant placement, causing them to ultimately fail. Your implants must be able to properly fuse to the bone and surrounding tissue, so if you smoke, have diabetes, or an autoimmune disorder, this can severely hinder your ability to heal properly.

If you have periodontal disease (gum disease), you will need to receive treatment prior to your implant placement. This is because gum disease can cause tooth and bone loss, so if an implant is surgically placed and months later, your gum disease worsens, there is a greater chance of your implant(s) loosening or falling out.

Benefits of All-On-4® Implants

The most obvious benefit of All-On-4® is its ability to give patients full, complete smiles without the necessity of a strong, durable jawbone, but you’d be surprised how many other benefits this unique restorative surgery offers:

• Improved smile aesthetics
• Boost in self-esteem
• Faster results with a temporary denture placed the same day
• Greater functionality when speaking, chewing, and eating
• No chance for your restorations to decay
• Easy to maintain and care for
• Restorations that can last 30+ years with proper care and maintenance

All-On-4® vs. Traditional Dental Implants

Dental implants of any kind offer a multitude of benefits that no other tooth replacement solution can provide; however, when comparing All-On-4® to traditional implants, you might find that the former offers:

• A less invasive approach since only 4 implants are used instead of up to 8 with traditional implant dentures
• A quicker path to a complete smile
• More affordability than regular implant dentures because of the fewer implants needed
• Less dental work prior to implant placement, unlike traditional implant dentures that will require a patient to have a bone graft or sinus lift if the jawbone is not stable enough

Why I am unable to receive my permanent prosthetic the same day my implants are placed?

There are two reasons for this:

1. It requires the skillful hand and artistic eye of a dental lab technician to create your customized prosthetic. Since these cannot be created in a single day, it requires ample time to review the impressions provided and begin working on your custom restoration.
2. Your jaw and gums need time to heal. Even with traditional dental implants, the posts must properly fuse to your jawbone and surrounding tissues to create a stable, solid foundation. During this time, you will receive a temporary prosthesis to wear.

What if I only need All-On-4® on my top or bottom arch?

If you only need All-On-4® treatment for one arch, that is perfectly fine. You are not required to have the surgery performed on both the top and bottom; however, many patients do find that if they are likely to require the same type of treatment later on, it is often best to do it at the same time. Not only will this save you money in the long run, but it will lend itself to better results.

Can I expect my smile to look natural?

Absolutely! One of the greatest benefits to All-On-4® implants is that they look and feel like regular teeth. By taking your facial features and structure into consideration, your new restorations will blend in beautifully to create an improved and enhanced aesthetic. Dental lab technicians will receive specific detailed instructions regarding the color, size, and shape of your dentures, making sure they are crafted with the utmost care and consideration.

How successful are All-On-4® implants once they’ve been placed?

Much like regular dental implants, All-On-4® has an extremely high success rate. Most studies report a 98.2% success rate when placed on the lower row of teeth and a 97-98% success rate when placed on the top row of teeth. When choosing All-On-4® implants, you can feel confident that you will have a smile that is not only durable and reliable but also long-lasting.