All on 6 vs All on 4 Dental Implants?
Dental Implants
It is quite common for patients to have multiple missing teeth. Dental implants are an increasingly popular solution for replacing missing teeth. Two popular implant solutions include the “All On 4” and “All On 6” procedures. These treatments are designed for patients with multiple missing teeth in the upper or lower jaw. While the treatments are similar in nature, their differences are summarized below.
Procedure
Patients who have lost all or a majority of their teeth in the top or bottom jaw may be encouraged to undergo the All on 4 or All on 6 procedures. Dental implants serve as the foundation for these treatments. The implants are surgically placed in the patient’s jaw and support dentures which hold the prosthetic replacement teeth. The function and appearance of the patient’s smile is maintained in addition to preventing bone loss or additional tooth loss.
It typically takes the dental professional two to three hours to complete the procedure. General anesthesia is administered to make sure patients are comfortable. After the implants are placed, they begin to fuse to the jaw through osseointegration. This gives the dentures a strong and secure foundation. The procedure is called “All On” because the denture restoration is attached to either four or six implants. When dental implants are used, a crown is connected to the individual implant for replacement of the missing tooth. This can get quite expensive when replacing multiple teeth. The all on 4 and all on 6 procedures are able to use fewer implants, reduce the cost, while still receiving the benefits of implants.
Prior to these procedures, when patients replaced an entire arch of teeth, it often required bone grafting and more implants. It could also take up to six months for the mouth to heal before the dentures could be placed. The use of fewer implants aids in expediting the recovery time. The dental professional can also place temporary dentures during the healing period. The mouth heals within three to four months and is ready for the placement of the permanent dentures.
Key Differences
Perhaps the most obvious difference between the All on 4 and All on 6 procedures is the number of implants. The All on 4 procedure uses four implants, while six implants are used for the All on 6 method.
The All on 6 procedure may be suggested for some patients as it offers added strength and stability. This procedure may also last longer and be more comfortable. The extreme forces of chewing must be evenly distributed throughout the jaw to prevent damage. The strategic placement of the two additional implants aids in strength, stability, and more even distribution of chewing forces.
Another benefit of the additional implants is that they strengthen and stimulate the jaw. The loss of a tooth often results in bone resorption due to this lack of stimulation. With traditional dentures, bone loss is common in addition to the change in the shape of the patient’s face and jaw. This can give patients a sunken-in appearance in their face and make them look older. Dental implants preserve the jawbone and prevent this type of bone loss.
Contact the office today to schedule an appointment to determine if you may be a good candidate for the All on 4 or All on 6 dental implant procedure.
