When someone has missing teeth, it can make them seem scary, unapproachable, and like they lack self-care. Missing teeth can prevent us from wanting to socialize and go out and enjoy life. It can make us feel a lack of confidence and uncomfortable in our skin. Luckily there are ways to fix our smile and regain our missing teeth. With All-on-4® dental implants, patients can get their smile back again. All-On-4® is an advanced technology treatment where ceramic or titanium posts are placed precisely on the upper or lower jawline. These are a permanent solution to missing teeth and are durable and functional for everyday jaw movement and activities. To learn more about the pros and cons of All-on-4® dental implants, continue reading below!
What Causes Missing Teeth?
Missing teeth can occur for various reasons: age, gum disease, rotted or weak teeth, illnesses, or lack of nutrition. Not only can they cause serious health issues and bad oral health, but they also damage your physical appearance. Missing teeth make it difficult to socialize, have job interviews, and smile during pictures. People with missing teeth may come off as unapproachable and make them uncomfortable with how they look. Luckily, there are ways to regain natural-looking teeth with All-on-4® dental implants. Continue reading to learn the pros and cons of All-on-4® and how to get your confidence back!
Pros of All-On-4® Dental Implants
There are many pros or benefits to All-on-4® dental implants. Take a look at some of the many benefits of this permanent implant solution.
Natural Look & Feel
One of the most incredible benefits of dental implants is that they give patients a natural look and feel of teeth. No one will know you have dental implants with the way All-on-4® gives you such a realistic appearance. There are not many differences between natural teeth and All-on-4® dental implants. Once you have adjusted to the implants in your mouth, it will be easy for you to remember you even have implants in the first place. The natural look and feel of All-on-4® dental implants are one of the many reasons why it is extremely popular as an implant option for patients. It is very beneficial to your everyday life because you do not have to be embarrassed about having missing teeth anymore or worried people will know you need implants. The natural look of All-on-4® dental implants will have people assuming you have natural, healthy teeth!
Less Invasive
Another great pro of All-on-4® dental implants is that the procedure is less invasive than other implant procedures. Although they are slightly more invasive than dentures, they require less maintenance and visits to the dentist. All-on-4® is much less invasive than bone grafting, often needed when a tooth is placed next to another tooth. Bone grafting is an oral surgery that adds density to the bone. It is done using transplanted bone to repair necessary diseased or damaged bone. This can be very painful and requires lots of aftercare and healing. The All-on-4® dental implants process is completed quickly, and once the implant is healed, all your teeth are applied at one, rather than waiting months or years!
Convenient
Unlike dentures and other implants, All-on-4® dental implants only require one surgery. During this non-invasive surgery, all implants can be placed during that one visit. This makes it a convenient procedure for people with busy schedules and not much time to go back and forth to the dentist’s office. It also is highly durable and secure because All-on-4® dental implants do not require adjustments or replacements. This makes it highly convenient because you can have the implants placed and forget about them! You can move on with your life conveniently, enjoying the benefits All-on-4® dental implants have to offer.
Eat & Drink Normally
While other dental implant procedures or dentures may require you not to eat or drink specific things, All-on-4® dental implants do not. Certain foods like chewy meats, sticky, hard candies, or sugary sodas may not suit people with dentures or other implants. Luckily with All-on-4® dental implants, you are free to eat and drink however you please! You can go back to biting into and eating all the foods you enjoyed before tooth loss. Hard, crunchy foods are no longer a risk of cracking the cap of the implant. All-on-4® dental implants are secure, durable, and highly functional for crunchy, sticky, and chewy foods.
Cons of All-on-4® Dental Implants
There are many pros to All-on-4® dental implants as they are a great permanent solution for tooth loss. Just like any other procedure, it is not perfect and can have a few potential cons. See below some of the negative impacts of All-on-4® dental implants.
Slight Tenderness & Discomfort After Procedure
Similar to many other procedures, patients may experience mild discomfort or tenderness after the procedure is over. Compared to dentures, which are entirely non-invasive, dental implant procedures require drilling into bones and gums. This can lead to some pain and tenderness of the mouth during the healing process. As soon as the procedure is completed, it’s best to avoid speaking or eating immediately after.
Speaking
At first, it may be challenging to adjust to your new implants. It takes a little time to get used to the feel of it in your mouth, as it is not something your body is familiar with. That said, speaking may sound a little different and complex for you to adjust to. You may find it difficult to speak, and others may find that your voice sounds different. This is only temporary, and it will be easier to get used to the more you practice. Over time, as you become familiar with your new All-on-4® dental implants, you will not forget they are even there.
Not Individual Implants
All-On-4® is a full-arch implant with four implants connected farther than just one. Because of this, they are not individual teeth. This is not a major con of All-on-4® dental implants, although it may take some time to adjust. They feel and look so natural that it may be easy to forget they are not. Each implant is paired with multiple porcelain caps, giving off a weird feeling when patients decide to perform regular maintenance, like flossing.
Get All-on-4® Dental Implants in The Greater Boston Area
At Dr. Wu & Associates in North Andover, we specialize in All-on-4® dental implants. We understand patients may be embarrassed by their tooth loss and are looking for an alternative with All-on-4® dental implants for permanent recovery. Call us for an All-on-4® consultation, or fill out our contact form for more information.