All on 4 dental implants and traditional implants allow you to transform your smile, filling any gaps you have. All on 4 is better suited to filling larger gaps, while traditional dental implants are ideal for replacing one decaying or missing tooth.
But which option is right for you? Deciding between the two can be tricky, especially when you have never had dental implants. That is where we come in to help. Our guide today looks at each dental implant's treatment, cost, and features to help you decide which is the right choice for you.
The treatment approach for these implants is very different, with all on 4 replacing entire sets of teeth. The treatment restores your smile quickly, whereas, with traditional implants, you must wait for the screw to fuse with your jawbone before a crown can be fitted, leaving you with gaps in your smile.
The all on 4 treatment approach uses four steps:
At an initial consultation, your teeth and bone structure are examined, usually with X-rays, to help determine the best treatment. Your desired results are discussed, and any questions you have answered. You will also be provided with a specific timeframe and expected cost.
Impressions of your teeth, photographs, and dental records are taken, and these are sent to specialists, all 4 technicians who design and manufacture your new implants. You can expect this appointment to involve 3-D scans of your bones and teeth and photo analysis of your facial features to provide you with implants that complement your face.
You are usually sedated with a general anaesthetic for your treatment, with local anaesthetic sometimes applied to your gum. Any teeth that need to be removed are extracted, and gum disease is cleaned away, preparing your jawbone for the titanium fixtures to be fitted. Any reconstructive work to your jaw is also completed here.
Additional impressions are taken to help ensure your new smile fits perfectly. Four titanium implants are added, and dissolvable sutures are used to close your wounds. You will return to your dentist and have the prosthetic teeth fitted a few days later. Once installed, these will last for life!
Your diet can take a few months to return to normal as your jaw heals around the implants. A softer diet should be followed, along with regular brushing and flossing. You might experience bruising, discomfort, and swelling for the first few days, with pain relief prescribed.
Regular checkups are recommended to ensure your jaw is healing and that you are adjusting to your new teeth.
Conventional dental implants follow these four steps:
You must have a space for a traditional implant to be fitted. The decaying tooth will be extracted, any roots removed, and the area cleaned if any gum disease is present.
You might require additional work to your jawbone if the bone has deteriorated before your implant can be installed. Your dentist will provide more information on this if needed.
A small titanium screw is inserted into your jawbone for every missing tooth being replaced. Titanium integrates with your bone tissue to create a stable tooth root that keeps the implant in place, taking around three to six months to fuse with your bone.
Once the bone has healed around the implant, a titanium or ceramic abutment is added to the fixture. It provides a secure fit between the dental implant and crown.
The porcelain crown is fitted to the edge of the gum line to replicate a natural tooth. This is the last step, and once complete, you will not be able to tell the difference between your natural teeth and the new implant-plant tooth.
You might experience some discomfort while the bone heals around the screw. This can be alleviated with pain relief and should not last more than a few days. Once the crown is installed, you must avoid hard and crunchy foods until they are set. Liquids and soft, pureed foods should be consumed for the first few days before gradually introducing harder foods into your diet.
Traditional dental implants take longer than all on 4 dental implants. While all on 4 will replace multiple teeth in one treatment, traditional implants replace one missing tooth at a time. You must wait for the screw to fully heal with a traditional implant before the replacement teeth are added, leaving you with gaps in your smile for longer than all 4 dental implant treatments.
All on 4 dental implants take a few weeks, from your consultation to the final results. You usually wait a few days between having your titanium implants installed and the teeth attached, but this is far quicker than other implant options. The installing of the screws can take a few hours or an entire day, depending on how many are being installed.
Traditional implants require five months to one year for a tooth to be extracted and added. The timeline varies depending on how many teeth are replaced and whether this is emergency dental work. It also depends on how long it takes for your implant to heal and fuse with your bone.
Both all on 4 and traditional dental implants use titanium to screw the implants into place. In conventional implants, the titanium fuses with your bone to create a secure hold, while in all on 4, the titanium acts as an anchor for your new prosthetic teeth.
The technology used to create these teeth ensures that both all on 4 and traditional implants can last for over twenty years, mimicking natural teeth in their performance and appearance.
All on 4 dental implants use titanium implants, with four fitted for each teeth bridge. These implants are installed at a forty-five-degree angle, helping to recreate a natural smile. The angle of these implants also allows you to retain full natural movement, ensuring you can eat and drink as normal once fully healed.
Traditional dental implants feature a titanium screw which is drilled into your jawbone for each tooth being replaced. The screw is designed to replicate a tooth root, creating a secure hold for the new crown. The crown is attached and held with an abutment, usually made from ceramic or titanium.
The crown is usually made from porcelain or ceramic and is available in several shades to match your natural teeth. It is fitted to the edge of the gum line for a secure fit and to replicate natural teeth. Once installed, you can expect the tooth to last for twenty years, provided you care for it properly.
All on 4 dental implants cost more than traditional implants. The cost of both treatments varies depending on how many teeth are being replaced and whether additional surgery is required to strengthen your jawbone beforehand.
Both treatments are available on payment plans, with several financing options available. Book a consultation with Gorgeous Smiles to learn more about your payment plans, helping everyone achieve their perfect smile.
All on 4 dental implants cost between $15,000 and $20,000 depending on how many bridges of teeth are added. The cost also increases depending on the complexity of your case and whether bone grafting is required beforehand.
The cost of traditional implants varies from between $2,000 to $5,000 per tooth. The price increases if bone grafting is required to strengthen the jaw bone before the implant is attached.
Customers were pleased with their all on 4 and traditional implant experiences. They were happy with the end results and the support they received along the way.
Overall, customers are impressed with their all on 4 experience. While they experienced some discomfort after the procedure, they found it relatively pain-free and the recovery time quick. They praised the thorough consultation process, which provided them with a breakdown of the treatment and answered any questions clearly.
Check out our customers' before-and-after images to see the transformative results, which deliver natural smiles and boost confidence.
Customers were thrilled with their traditional implant experience. They found the consultations incredibly helpful and allowed them to see what to expect before proceeding. Although the process is time-consuming and takes several months before the crown can be fitted, customers were happy with their results and found the staff helpful and supportive during their treatment.
Why not look at our before and after photos to see how traditional implants can transform your smile?
Customer support is similar for both 4 and traditional dental implants. You will likely see your dentist more with traditional implants as you will have more regular appointments, but the support you receive should be fairly similar.
You can expect regular checkups and follow-up appointments after your all on 4 treatment. A dentist will see you to ensure your wounds heal and you adjust to your new teeth. Your dentist will also check for adjustments and answer any questions you have throughout your recovery.
Your dentist supports you before, during, and after the procedure, with round-the-clock support available via phone, email, or in-person appointments.
Following your traditional dental implants, you will get round-the-clock customer support. You will have regular appointments during the procedure to ensure you are healing correctly. Our dental team is available over the phone or email during the treatment to answer any queries.
Before the crown is fitted, your dentist will check the titanium screw has fused correctly and that you are happy with the shape and shade of the crown. You can rest assured that you are supported as we create your new smile.
Both all on 4 and traditional implants require you to avoid crunchy foods after the titanium implant or screw is installed. For conventional implants, the recovery time is longer, as the titanium needs to fuse with your bone before a crown is added, so you need to follow the aftercare steps for longer.
You will need regular checkups after both procedures and to practice good oral hygiene to maintain the new implants.
The aftercare process is relatively straightforward. For the first few months after your surgery, you must follow a softer diet, eating pasta, eggs, chicken, and fish and avoiding hard or crunchy foods. You should also treat your prosthetic teeth like natural ones, brushing and flossing them twice daily.
You will attend regular checkups and have a follow-up appointment a few months after treatment to ensure your implants have fully healed. Once signed off at this appointment, you can return to a regular diet and enjoy all foods.
After your traditional implants, you should eat soft foods like pureed soups or liquids for the first few days. This will prevent you from disrupting the implant while it heals. You can gradually work up to solid foods, avoiding excessive pressure on your implants while chewing.
Once your implants have fully healed, you can eat all foods as usual. However, when the crown is attached, you might need to avoid crunchy foods for a few days while you get used to having a tooth in the gap.
Dental implants can transform your smile, increase your confidence, and help with gum health. Why not book a consultation with one of our experienced dentists to see whether all on 4 or traditional implants are better for you?
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