All-on-4 is just one of the many advanced dentistry techniques we’ve invested in to improve the range of available procedures. Unlike traditional dental implant supported tooth replacements for patients with full dentures, this innovative treatment method allows us to offer dental implant restorations to a greater number of patients. Contact our team to find out more or schedule a dental implant consultation at Moreno & Young Dental. Our Bellingham dentistry practice welcomes patients from Ferndale, Lynden, and all surrounding communities.
Any patient in need of full tooth replacement with a denture and patients who are unhappy with the comfort or stability of their existing full denture may want to consider the unique All-on-4 dental implant denture. This denture process specifically offers an ideal solution to improve the success of dental implant placement and restoration for patients who may not otherwise be ideal candidates. That includes patients who have significantly diminished bone density and those who may not have otherwise been healthy enough for more advanced dental implant procedures.
The All-on-4 treatment process is completed in two phases much like traditional dental implant supported denture placement. During the initial phase, dental implants are surgically positioned below the gum line. However, this surgical implant placement is where the All-on-4 denture system differs. In traditional implant placement, dental implants are surgically placed at strategic points along the gum line to support all areas of the denture. All-on-4 harnesses the natural density at the front of the jawbone to support the entire prosthetic. As the name suggests, most patients require just four dental implants to complete this procedure. Two of the implant posts are placed vertically into the jawbone to anchor the front part of the denture, and two dental implants are angled from the back of the jaw to fuse with the front part of the jaw. This provides optimal stability for the entire tooth replacement prosthetic without the need for advanced preparatory procedures like bone or soft tissue grafting.
There are numerous benefits to All-on-4 dentures compared with removable dentures and traditional dental implant supported prosthetics. Some of the most common benefits of All-on-4 include:
Dr. Moreno and Dr. Young may need to have a special type of x-ray performed to determine your bone density prior to your surgery. A state-of-the-art CT/Cone Beam Scanner is used for this process.
For most treatments, digital x-rays that capture just a small area of the smile are more than adequate in the diagnosis and treatment planning process. However, for procedures like dental implant placement and TMJ dysfunction therapies, a complete view of the smile is necessary. That’s where the state-of-the-art CT/cone beam scanner comes in. We use these three-dimensional scans of the entire smile to create a more complete and accurate diagnosis and plan for treatments that repair the full form and function of the smile.
Digital images from the CT/cone beam scanner are viewable on chairside computer monitors just like intraoral photos and digital x-rays. We’re able to show patients a clear, panoramic view of their full smile as well as surrounding supportive oral and facial structures. In addition to utilizing these images in creating precise treatment plans, 3D images also allow patients to have a better understanding of their oral health conditions and potential treatments.
