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Dentures have been the traditional way to replace a full arch of teeth. Yet, dentures only replace the crowns of teeth, the portion above the gumline. Dental implants also replace tooth roots, but individual implants may not be practical for an arch.
At Volterra Dental Comprehensive and Aesthetic Dentistry, we’re proud to offer All-on-4® implant-supported dentures, a hybrid system that melds the best of denture and implant technology to bring you fixed full arches supported by four implants.
The All-on-4 concept means you can have any remaining tooth extractions, implant surgery, and a temporary bridge placed in a single day. Four strategically located implants support a full-arch denture restoration, with a permanent arch placed in the weeks or months after your original procedure.
All-on-4 implants provide a range of benefits over living with missing teeth or turning to traditional dentures. Look at four of the most impressive benefits of All-on-4 implant-supported dentures.
1. Permanence
Perhaps the biggest issue with conventional dentures is their removable nature. Dentures require daily cleaning with special products and procedures that differ from brushing and flossing natural teeth.
It’s also possible for dentures to slip out of place as you eat or speak. Food debris can become trapped beneath a denture plate, causing discomfort or pain until you can remove and clean your arch.
All-on-4 implant-supported dentures are fixed. Removing your arches is unnecessary, and they remain securely placed in your mouth.
2. Root interaction
Conventional dentures do not substitute for a natural tooth’s root. While teeth and bones seem like solid, permanent tissue, they interact in important ways.
Without the stimulation of tooth roots, your jaw's bone tissue starts to atrophy. You can lose bone density and volume, causing the fit of dentures to change over time as the shape of your gums varies.
Dental implants restore bone stimulation, encouraging the renewal and turnover of bone tissue. Your implants remain surrounded by healthy bone, securing your All-on-4 dentures.
3. No need for bone grafts
Some patients require bone grafts with conventional dental implants to compensate for tissue loss. The strategic locating of All-on-4 implants means we can choose areas of higher bone density, eliminating the need for bone grafts for many patients.
4. Simple maintenance
Because your All-on-4 dentures are fixed, there’s no remove-and-clean process and no need for denture adhesives since the implants hold your arches firmly in place. You can brush and floss your teeth normally, except for changing to a non-abrasive toothpaste for dental implant crowns.
Maintaining a twice-a-year checkup schedule remains important to ensure your All-on-4 system stays in top shape and provides the benefits of dental office care and cleaning.
Consult with Dr. Richard Blackburn and his team of implant specialists to find out if All-on-4 implant-supported dentures are right for you. Book your appointment with our Los Alamitos office by phone or online today.