NYC Center for Dental Implants offers All-on-Four dental implants for our NYC-area patients. While one of our most popular dental restorative procedures, it’s also one that warrants the most questions from our patients. Below, you’ll find some of our frequently asked questions on the subject. If you don’t see the answer to your specific question, you’re welcome to contact us to learn more about this option!
How Do All-on-4 Implants Differ from Traditional Implants?
The primary difference between All-on-Four dental implants and traditional dental implants lies in the number of implants needed to support a full-arch prosthesis. While traditional implants usually require 5-8 dental implants, the All-on-Four procedure utilizes an angled placement technique to achieve support in only four dental implants. Thanks to our ability to pre-fabricate your implants with precision using 3D models and advanced software, many patients leave with their new teeth in as little as one visit. What this boils down to is less time spent in the chair on average with a success rate that’s equal to or greater than most traditional dental implants.
How Do All-on-4 Dental Implants Differ from Dentures?
Similar to dentures, All-on-4 dental implants offer a permanent restorative solution to those with missing teeth. However, All-on-4 dental implants look and function more like your natural teeth to eliminate discomfort, pressure, and gagging. You’ll be able to enjoy eating your favorite foods without fear of your denture slipping. You also won’t have to worry about removing and cleaning them nightly! Learn more about the differences between dental implants vs. dentures.
Are Four Dental Implants Always Used in This Procedure?
As the name of the procedure implies, four dental implants are normally used. However, this number may vary depending on the patient’s bone quality or quantity. In some cases, we may need to use 6-8 implants to provide the desired strength and longevity we’re hoping to achieve. We won’t know for sure until we assess your situation during your free initial consultation.
How Does the All-on-4 Dental Implants Procedure Work?
A traditional dental implant uses a titanium screw to fuse to your jawbone and a dental crown to support it. Thanks to the strategic placement of four dental implants as anchors supporting a dental bridge, All-on-4 dental implants allow you to restore missing teeth without replacing each tooth with an individual implant. All-on-4 dental implants can replace a patient’s entire upper and/or lower set of natural teeth without restructuring the jawbone using bone grafting techniques. This results in the faster placement of dental implants to restore your natural-looking smile in as little as one day. Even if you require tooth extraction, you should be able to have this procedure completed in a single visit.
Is Bone Grafting Necessary for All-on-Four Dental Implants?
While bone grafting is often necessary for the placement of traditional dental implants, most patients don’t require bone grafting for All-on-Four implants. Because we use computer-aided techniques to determine the ideal placement of every implant at an angle, this allows us to maximize the use of existing bone instead of relying on bone grafting. This also speeds up the implant process, eliminating the need for surgery and discomfort for many grateful patients.
What Is Recovery Like After an All-on-4 Implant Procedure?
Most patients experience minor swelling and soreness after an all-on-4 dental implant procedure, although this may vary by person. You should be able to resume your normal activity levels within a few days of the procedure. You’ll be able to return to a normal diet right away except for hard or chewy foods for about 6-10 weeks. You should expect some adjustment time, but numerous patients have reported it’s not as cumbersome as learning to adjust to speaking and eating with dentures.
What Are Some Advantages of All-on-4 Dental Implants?
While they may not be suitable for every patient’s needs, we often recommend All-on-4 dental implants because of their many advantages, which include:
Prevent Bone Loss – Dental implants promote bone growth and deter bone deterioration. This helps maintain the patient’s facial structure while also improving their oral health.
Look and Feel Natural – Because All-on-4 dental implants look and function like natural teeth, they don’t need to be removed at night for cleaning. Simply care for them the way you would your natural teeth. All-on-4 implants are angled to offer more stability and support.
Minimal Discomfort – Because All-on-4 dental implants don’t usually require bone grafting surgery for their placement, patient discomfort during and after the procedure is greatly diminished. Many patients also find them more comfortable than dentures because they don’t place any additional pressure on the gums.
High Success Rate – Due to the precise virtual treatment planning involved, All-on-4 dental implants enjoy a high success rate (95-98%) when compared to other restoration options.
How Do All-on-4 Dental Implants’ Costs Compare to Others?
All-on-4 dental implant costs will vary by patient. The number of dental implants needed, as well as the patient’s oral health and jawbone strength, affect the cost because they determine the complexity of the procedure. All-on-4 dental implants are usually more cost-effective than traditional dental implants because they require fewer visits to our offices. You should consider this procedure a wise investment that will restore your beautiful, healthy smile for life. We accept plans from most dental insurance providers, including Aflac, Aetna, Cigna, Delta Dental, MetLife, and United Healthcare, and would be happy to assist with filing claims. We may also be able to work out a payment plan for qualified patients.
Who Makes a Good Candidate for All-on-Four Dental Implants?
Whether you have issues with your upper or lower teeth, the majority of our patients make successful candidates for All-on-Four dental implants. It doesn’t matter if you have tooth decay or gum disease. It also doesn’t matter how many missing teeth you have. Thanks to our advanced 3D imaging techniques, we’re able to create virtual treatment plans to help our patients visualize the results. This allows us to determine the ideal implant placement for every patient to achieve maximum aesthetics and function. To determine your eligibility for this procedure, we’ll evaluate your bone quality and quantity.
Why Don’t All Dentists Offer the All-on-4 Implant Procedure?
Developed in the 1990s, the All-on-4 dental implant procedure is considered more common today than it used to be. However, not all dentists are comfortable offering this procedure due to a lack of training or expertise. Dr. Sol Schwartzstein at NYC Center for Dental Implants specializes in All-on-4 dental implants, as well as many other cosmetic dentistry procedures, including veneers, bonding, crowns, bridges, and tooth-colored fillings. Dr. Schwartzstein remains at the forefront of implantology to serve the dental restoration needs of his patients in the New York City area.
Schedule an Appointment at NYC Center for Dental Implants
To learn more about All-on-Four dental implants, NYC Center for Dental Implants welcomes you to contact us to schedule a free initial consultation. We have offices in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Long Island to make us easily accessible for patients in NYC and surrounding areas. If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, we also provide same-day emergency appointments whenever possible to assist you.
