All-On-4 Dental Implants San Ramon, CA

At Progressive Periodontics & Implant Dentistry, San Ramon, CA, we offer the All-on-4 Dental Implants procedure for patients that are looking for a convenient way to replace missing teeth. If you live in the San Ramon area and have experienced tooth loss, we encourage you to visit our office to discuss the options available to you.

You Don’t Have to Live With Tooth Loss

There are distinct advantages to living in the modern world. One of these, from the dental perspective, is the ability to live without the stigma and challenges of tooth loss. According to the Periodontics Association of America, roughly 175 million people, of all ages, have lost one or more teeth and this number is actually expected to grow larger over time. What this has done is spurred growth in the replacement tooth industry and the revolution of dental implants. Dental implants are a way to get the most natural looking and behaving replacement teeth. However, the standard implant procedure is not always physically viable or convenient. In this situation, the All-on-4 Implants procedure can be a better solution.

What Is All-On-4 Dental Implants?

Over the past decade, an exciting development in implant dentistry has helped thousands of people who are missing all of their teeth, or whose remaining teeth cannot be saved, by providing an affordable alternative to traditional dentures and dental implant treatment. This procedure, called All-on-4 Implants can provide a full arch of replacement teeth, supported by just four strategically placed implants, usually without the need for bone grafting.

All-on-4 Implants is a minimally invasive method of placing a full mouth of dental implants only using four implants to support a full arch (upper or lower) fixed non-removable replacement teeth. All-on-4 Dental Implants allows you to have a full set of teeth without having to undergo multiple surgeries and replacements to place a full set of implants in your mouth.

The greatest thing about All-on-4 Implants is that the procedure we can typically complete it in our office during one appointment under local anesthesia. For our patients who have lost all their teeth or may need to have the remaining teeth pulled due to decay, this is an amazing advancement that allows them to have a full set of teeth without undergoing multiple procedures. Simultaneously, this solution gives patients the kind of teeth that look real and act like the original teeth.

Missing All Lower Teeth San Ramon & Turlock, CA

Although many patients have no problem wearing an upper denture, some people find it difficult to wear and eat with lower dentures. Several implant-supported replacement options are available if you are missing all of your lower teeth.

>> BALL ATTACHMENT DENTURE

One option is to have two implants placed in your lower jaw and a denture made that snaps onto these implants. This option allows your lower denture to be more stable while chewing than without implants. However, there will still be movement of your lower denture, and sore spots will occur if any food particles, especially seeds, are caught under it. As with all removable replacement teeth, you still will need periodic appointments for denture adjustment.

>> ALL-ON-4 DENTAL IMPLANTS

Another option is to have 4 implants placed to retain the denture. This will not put pressure on your gums and will give you the best of both worlds. A denture that is removable and can be cleaned easily and a solution that feels as close to being permanent or fixed as possible. 4 implants for the upper jaw works equally as well.

>> BAR ATTACHMENT DENTURE

Another option involves placing four to six implants, depending on your jaw size or shape, into your lower jaw. After healing is complete, the implants are connected with a custom-made support bar. Your denture will be made with special internal retention clips that attach onto the support bar, enabling the denture to snap firmly into place. This is called an “overdenture.” The advantage of this option is that it is much more stable than the first option and allows very little denture movement. Your denture is still removable for easy cleaning and maintenance. With the recent advances of dental implants and technology, this option is being used less and less these days.

>> SCREW RETAINED DENTURE

A third option involves placing four or more implants (All-on-four) in your jaw and attaching a permanent denture. Your denture is held in place by screws or clasps that secure it to the support posts or bar. It doesn’t touch the gum tissue, which allows you to clean under the denture without removing it. This denture will replace all your missing lower teeth and will not be removed except at maintenance visits. Although cleaning under your denture without removing it is more time consuming and requires more dexterity, many patients who want a permanent denture prefer this option. This is the most popular option to replace all of your lower and even upper teeth.

>> INDIVIDUAL IMPLANTS

The final option is to have all your teeth individually replaced so that they will appear to be growing out of your gum tissue and will most closely resemble the appearance of your natural teeth. This option usually requires eight or more implants. Separate abutments or support posts for each one of these implants will be made and crowns for each missing tooth will be placed. The teeth are often joined together for sinus grafting to replace bone height strength and support. Overall, this is the costliest option because it requires the most implants and individual replacement tooth fabrication, however, this will give you the most natural look and feel of your teeth.

Who Should Get All-On-4 Dental Implants?

The simple answer is that All on 4 dental implants is highly suitable for anyone who is facing complete tooth loss in their upper or lower jaw, or in both jaws and wants to have a permanent good-looking set of replacement teeth will benefit from dental implants. The All-on-4 Implants systems offer people a chance to live a full and healthy lifestyle by replacing the teeth with implants over removable dentures.

The ideal candidate for All-on-4 dental implants is someone who already wears dentures or is already missing multiple teeth and who would prefer to find an alternative and more permanent method of replacing their teeth in San Ramon, CA.

Additionally, this is an ideal procedure for someone that does not have the bone density to support a full set of individual implants, the time to have individual implants placed, or the budget to pay for them. The All-on-4 Implants procedure is faster and more affordable.

This procedure is very well tolerated by most people and it may be suitable for patients with osteoporosis or well-controlled diabetes and who might be unsuitable for more traditional dental implants. There is no evidence to suggest the success of dental implant treatment is affected by age or gender.

All-On-4 Implants vs. Traditional Dentures

Traditional dentures sit uncomfortably on top of the gums and can slip or even fall out. The All-on-4 Implants technique provides permanent dentures so you can avoid the discomfort and embarrassment of traditional appliances. With All-on-4 Dental Implants, Dr. Kaeley will place four dental implants in each arch and use those implants to permanently and comfortably attach your new, permanent dentures.

BONE LOSS AND ALL-ON-4 DENTAL IMPLANTS

One of the side effects of missing teeth is bone loss. When teeth are absent, the jaw bone begins to deteriorate. Traditional dentures do nothing to stop or slow this deterioration, but dental implant dentures provide the necessary stimulation to help you maintain your jaw bone. If you have been wearing dentures for a while, your jaw bone has already begun to deteriorate. The beauty of All-on-4 Implants is that it allows Dr. Kaeley to place the dental implants where the bone is strongest, reducing the need for bone grafting. All-on-4 Implants provides a stable, comfortable bite and helps prevent further bone loss.

REPLACE YOUR DENTURE WITH A FIXED ARCH OF TEETH

All-on-Four dental implants is a highly affordable solution for anyone wishing to replace their denture with a fixed arch of teeth. Our San Ramon Dental Implants Center only uses top quality dental implants in Progressive Periodontics & Implant Dentistry.

Dr. Janice Kaeley is one of the best dental implant specialists in San Ramon, CA and a top rated San Ramon dentist accepting patients from Danville, Alamo, Dublin, etc.

Before all on 4 techniques was developed, multiple dental implants were required to secure a complete arch of teeth.

With conventional dental implants also called single tooth implants, it’s often necessary to use anywhere between six and 10 implants to support a full arch bridge.

This can mean the cost of treatment is beyond the reach of many. Conventional or traditional dental implant treatments also increases the likelihood of requiring a dental bone graft prior to having the implants inserted. With all on 4 dental implants, just four dental implants are required to secure a complete arch of lower teeth, while six dental implants are generally needed to secure a full arch of upper teeth.

Why Do People of San Ramon Prefer All-On-4 Implants?

There are several ways in which All-on-4 implants are better than dentures.

• Patients take care of All-on-4 implants in the same way they care for their natural teeth by brushing each day.
• The implants also operate in the same way as natural teeth, so the patient does not have to be cautious of what he or she eats.
• Along with the fact that patients do not have to remove All-on-4 dental implants when eating or cleaning the teeth, there is also no need for uncomfortable wires or brackets to hold the implants in place.
• Even more importantly for patients, the dental implants allow anyone to eat what the heart desires. You do not have to worry about hot or cold affecting your dentures. You also can bite down with up to 70 percent more force, which allows you to eat the foods that you love.
• Finally, All-on-4 dental implants look exactly like your natural teeth. No one will be able to tell that you are wearing a dental prosthetic.

From a dental health perspective, it is important to note that when you have All-on-4 dental implants, it is going to prevent bone deterioration in the jawbone and ultimately restore your facial features by fighting resorption. The process of resorption involves the dental implants stimulating the jaw to send a message to the body that the jaw is supporting teeth once again. Resorption will help the jawbone to regain some of the mass that it has lost previously. Many of our patients who visit our office notice a difference in their facial structure as a result.

What if I’m Missing All of My Upper Teeth?

A similar range of treatment options is also available for your upper jaw. However, because the bone is not as hard as that in the lower jaw, people often need more implants to support their new replacement teeth. Depending upon the number of implants to be placed, it may be possible to eliminate the need for covering the roof of your mouth with a complete denture. This option allows you to fully taste your food and gives you a better sense of its temperature. Your denture will feel more natural.

>> Implant Retained Upper Denture

Depending upon the number of implants to be placed, it may be possible to eliminate the need for covering the roof of your mouth with a complete denture. This option allows you to fully taste your food and gives you a better sense of its temperature. Your denture will feel more natural. You will still have a removable denture, which makes cleaning the support bar and denture much easier, but the fit and strength will be life changing.

>> Individual Upper Dental Implants

If you want a restoration that is similar to your natural teeth and therefore not removable, you probably will need eight to ten individual implants placed. This is followed after healing by the placement of the abutments and new replacement crowns. This will give you the most natural look and feel of your teeth and is the best option to replace your missing teeth.

What Is the Procedure for All-On-4 Implants at Dr. Kaeley?

An initial consultation with Dr. Kaeley is needed to determine your suitability for All on 4 Dental Implants treatment. She will discuss the procedure with you in greater detail and will need to know your medical history.

Typically, the surgery takes approximately two hours and 30 minutes per arch. We can install your All-on-4 dental implants on your upper, lower, or both arches at the same time. While a dentist may make the process look easy, the surgery is a complex procedure that we can complete at an efficient pace.

The Process of Getting All-On-4 Dental Implants Can Be Laid Out in Four Steps:

>> The First Step:

A detailed examination where we will look at your records, existing conditions, whether you have a denture, what your facial structure needs are, and any other factors that may come into play when placing your dental implants.

>> The Second Step:

The next step is to carry out a Cone Beam CT scan, a specialized type of 3-D dental x-ray that will show your jaws, muscles and other facial structures in great detail. This will allow Dr. Kaeley to closely examine the condition of your jaws and to assess the quality and quantity of available bone.

This particular treatment requires patients to have good bone density towards the front of the mouth, where bone naturally tends to be thicker and stronger, which is why treatment can be so advantageous for patients who have lost significant amounts of bone over the years.

Using the CT scan, Dr. Kaeley will be able to accurately plan the position of each implant.

>> The Third Step:

Involves creating a computer simulation of the implants, which we digitally position into the jawbone at the appropriate location to give you the most support from your replacement teeth. We can adjust the implants as need be and fabricate your new set of teeth for your needs.

>> The Fourth Step:

Finally, the most important step is the oral surgery. A surgical guide is produced prior to the insertion of the dental implants, allowing Dr. Kaeley to accurately place the implants with minimal incisions. Once the implants are in place, they are immediately ‘loaded’ or fitted with your new teeth that will have been before the start of surgery.

These teeth are temporary, but will allow you to eat and talk without fear of embarrassment and we do take a great deal of care to ensure they will look good.

After the dental implants have healed and integrated with your jawbone, you can return to our dental office to be fitted for your permanent teeth.

Advantages and Disadvantages of All-On-Four Implants

>> Advantages

• This all on 4 treatment maximizes the use of the jawbone in an area where it is stronger and thicker as the implants are placed towards the front of the mouth rather than being located evenly across the whole arch.
• Treatment may be suitable for people who had previously been told they required a bone graft prior to implant surgery.
• The implants are easy to keep clean and hygienic.
• With all on 4 dental implants, it is possible to enjoy the feel and appearance of healthy and youthful teeth that are strong and stable.

>> Disadvantages

• Not everyone is suitable for this treatment which is why an initial consultation is so important.
• Not every dentist has the skills to carry out this complex restoration so it is important to find someone with the proper qualifications and training.
  

Benefits of Dental Implant Dentures San Ramon, CA

• Permanent replacement for missing
• Easy recovery
• Easy to care for
• Eat your favorite foods
• A confident, permanent smile
• No slipping or falling out
• Permanent dentures for patients with bone loss
• Helps prevent future bone loss
  

What San Ramon City All-On-4 Patients Can Expect From Dr. Kaeley?

Following a consultation with a dental CT scan and diagnostic work up to determine if a San Ramon patient is a candidate for the procedure, the replacement teeth are fabricated using digital planning software. This allows Dr. Kaeley to have the replacement teeth available to be placed on the same day the implants are placed.

If you are considering complete tooth replacement with dental implants, the best way to determine what is right for you is to seek Dr. Kaeley’s advice regarding all of your treatment options and then have her develop a personalized treatment plan with you.