Are All-On-4 Dental Implants Comfortable? Learn from Professionals
If you have lost one or more natural teeth, it is probably not your first time hearing about dental implants. They are small metal posts that offer a permanent solution to tooth loss. Many people who have lost their natural teeth and gotten dental implants can hardly tell the difference between them. However, a dental implant is only effective for replacing a single tooth at a time. Therefore, when you have multiple missing teeth, it is impractical to get an implant for each of the lost teeth. Fortunately, you can visit us at Lifetime Smiles Cosmetic Dentistry to get started on all-on-4 dental implants for multiple missing teeth.
What Are All-On-4 Dental Implants?
They are prosthodontic oral appliances for replacing multiple missing teeth permanently. All-on-4 dental implants generally stand for ‘all’ teeth supported ‘on four’ dental implants. Therefore, instead of getting one dental implant for each missing tooth, you can get 4 dental implants to support all your missing teeth.
Technically, all-on-4 dental implants replace all your missing teeth. They work by incorporating a few dental implants and dentures. You can choose to have all-on-4 dental implants for your upper teeth or the lower ones since the treatment can support about 10 to 12 teeth.
The Procedure of All-On-4 Dental Implants
The procedure for getting all-on-4 dental implants in Austin, TX, is not that different from typical dental implants. Ideally, you just need a multiple implantation surgery to install about four dental implants in your jawbone.
The procedure begins with local anesthesia and sedation dentistry. They numb your mouth and calm your body so you encounter a pain-free procedure. Afterward, the dentist will start installing dental implants in your jawbone.
The process of installing a dental implant entails making an incision on the gums to expose the jawbone underneath. Next, the dentist will drill a hole equivalent to the size of the dental implant. The next step entails erecting the metal post in your jawbone and then suturing the gums to reinforce support and stability. The dentist must repeat this process four times to strategically insert the dental implants in your jawbone. In some cases, dentists may recommend 6 to 10 dental implants for patients that require extra support for their dentures.
After the initial implantation surgery, your dentist will have you go home and recover for a few months before the next phase of your treatment. Recovery can take between three and six months, different for every patient. In the meantime, your dentist will create a customized denture that will fit over the dental implants.
During the second dental visit, your dentist will affix the customized dentures on your mouth.
Can Dental Implants Be Done in A Day?
Ideally, dental implant procedures require at least two dental visits to complete. The initial visit entails installing the implant, while the second is about crowning the implants with dentures or dental crowns.
However, there is such a thing as same-day dental implants near you in dentistry. They are tooth replacement procedures that ensure you do not stay toothless for long. For same-day dental implants, your dentist will extract your natural tooth and install a dental implant in the same appointment. However, you need time to heal before the dentist can crown your tooth.
Are They Comfortable?
The initial few weeks after getting all-on-4 dental implants will cause great discomfort. You will make several adjustments to accommodate the changes in your mouth. However, once your jaw and gums are healed well, you should regain optimal oral functionality.
Still, dental implants and dentures are not nearly as sturdy and stable as natural teeth. Therefore, employ caution in caring for your mouth after all-on-4 dental implants.
Aftercare of All-On-4 Dental Implants
When your dentist in Austin, TX, completes your tooth replacement treatment, be ready to take notes about aftercare instructions for your mouth. The recovery road can be long and overwhelming if you do not know how to care for your mouth well. Some aftercare tips for all-on-4 dental implants are:
- Eat soft and bland foods – they are not too hard, salty, or spicy to aggravate your implantation wound.
- Quit smoking and drinking alcohol – these habits worsen swelling, heighten the risk of infection, and slow the healing process.
- Rest – avoid intense physical exertions that may strain your mouth and increase pain and swelling.
- Take prescribed medicine – to manage the pain and swelling.
- Cold compress – to alleviate swelling and discomfort.