Millions of adults are missing most or all of their teeth, which can lead to a variety of oral and overall health complications. Many patients at Parkway Dental Care in Kissimmee choose to replace their missing teeth with dentures because they are affordable- which are effective, but not ideal.
We recommend a more permanent solution- dental implants. Unfortunately, replacing each tooth with a single dental implant can be out of reach for many people due to the expense.
There is another option: All-on-4 dental implants. This tooth restoration solution replaces an entire arch of teeth with 4 dental implants. This is often referred to as “teeth in a day” because we can usually fit the prosthesis on the same day that the implants are placed.
The process of All-on-4 dental implants requires oral surgery. Therefore, there are a few things to consider:
Find out if your insurance covers the procedure or if you must pay out-of-pocket
Make sure that you understand the procedure and what is expected of you
Make sure that you have someone who can take you home after the surgery, especially if you have sedation
Make sure that your oral and overall health is good
Understand your aftercare instructions
Every procedure at Parkway Dental starts with an initial consultation. At this time, we will perform a comprehensive exam including x-rays and other necessary imaging. This will help us to determine if you are a candidate for the procedure and if you need any other procedures such as gum disease treatment, bone grafting, or sinus lift. We believe that the patient should be involved in their treatment, so we will be happy to address any questions or concerns you may have. We will also discuss your expectations for treatment.
Since no two patients are exactly the same, this step will look different for everyone. As a general rule, dental implants have a 95% success rate. However, if you have any dental issues that are not addressed prior to implant placement, you may fall into that 5% failure category.
The most common prep procedures are extractions and gum disease treatment. These procedures may be surgical or non-surgical, depending on the complexity of the extraction and the severity of the gum disease. Other possible procedures include bone grafting and/or sinus lift.
Once all of these procedures have been completed, we will create an impression of your mouth. This will allow the lab to fabricate a custom denture. This typically takes a few weeks.
The next step is to place the four implants. Two of these are placed at the front and two in the back at a 45° angle. The reason the back implants are placed at an angle is to provide a more natural bite force. Most of our patients only need local anesthesia- but we do offer sedation dentistry for patients who need it. We do ask that you discuss this during your initial consultation so that we can include it in your treatment plan.
On the day of your surgery, you should:
Have someone drive you home following surgery
Take prescribed pain medications to keep the pain/discomfort under control
Use a soft-bristled toothbrush
Avoid foods/beverages that are too hot or cold
Don’t rinse or spit
Do not take aspirin
Avoid exercising and/or lifting heavy objects
Avoid touching the surgical site
Do not smoke
Do not drink alcohol
Eat foods that are soft and cool
Avoid hard/crunchy foods
Use a cold compress to reduce swelling
Use salt water or prescription mouthwash twice daily
Continue to take it easy for at least 48 hours
Avoid smoking
Contact the clinic if you have any questions or concerns
If you carefully follow these post-op instructions, as well as those specifically given by the dentist, you will reduce your risk of complications and speed up healing.
When you are missing teeth, eating and speaking can be complicated. While conventional dentures can help, you’ll often have to deal with the dentures sliding around in your mouth and you will have to avoid certain foods.
When you first get your implants and prosthesis, you may struggle with eating and speaking, but once the implants have healed, you should have no trouble. If you have any specific questions or concerns, we will be happy to address them.
Dental implants are more like natural teeth than other tooth restoration options such as dentures or bridges. After all, they are inserted into your jawbone, which means they are like artificial tooth roots. Once they have healed, you care for them just like your natural teeth.
Simply brush twice daily and floss at least once. While artificial teeth will not decay like natural teeth, proper oral hygiene will keep your gums healthy and prevent implant failure.
The best way to care for and maintain your All-on-4 dental implants is to brush twice daily and floss at least once. You can use alcohol-free mouthwash if you wish. Make sure to visit the clinic every 6 months for an exam and cleaning. This will help us monitor your oral health and address any issues as they come up instead of allowing them to escalate.
There are a few complications associated with All-on-4 dental implants, but most are easy to overcome:
If you are missing all or most of your teeth and want a more permanent restoration than conventional dentures, All-on-4 may be the best solution. This replaces a full arch of teeth with 4 dental implants. Schedule your consultation with the team at Parkway Dental Care today. We have the experience and expertise to successfully restore your natural smile.
We are located at 1064 E Osceola Parkway in Kissimmee. Our hours are Monday and Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Tuesday through Thursday 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Saturday 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
While it’s true that dairy does promote overall health- it’s a good idea to avoid these products when healing from dental implant surgery. This is because it can cause inflammation, which prevents proper healing. In addition, it causes nausea and vomiting in some patients, which increases the risk of infection.