Am I a Candidate for All-on-4®?

If a patient is missing multiple teeth due to injury or oral disease, All-on-4® is one of the dental restoration options the dentist might recommend. All-on-4® is one of the long-term solutions available for missing teeth. The treatment restores the functionality, appearance, and appeal of the smile. However, how can patients tell if they are eligible for the procedure? Continue reading to find out.

Determining a person’s eligibility for the procedure

Generally, anyone who is up to 18 years old and has suffered significant tooth loss is a good candidate for All-on-4®. Most times, patients looking for complete teeth restoration are generally of middle age or older. The All-on-4® procedure requires placing four implants inside the jawbone through surgery.

Therefore, a person’s candidacy revolves around their ability to undergo surgery, their bone’s condition, and their healing ability. To know if the implant will work, the patient will need to schedule a consultation appointment with the dentist. During the initial consultation, the dentist will consider the dental history and medical history of the patient. Due to the surgical nature of the All-on-4® procedure, candidates need to be in good overall health so that the procedure will not threaten their general wellbeing.

Jawbone and gum tissue density

For implants to get adequate support, the jawbone and gum tissue must have proper density. The dentist will review multiple X-ray scans to know if the jawbone can hold the implants. The patient will not be eligible for the procedure or implant-related restoration without sufficient bone support. One of the negative effects of tooth loss is bone loss and gum recession, which are common in people who have been missing their teeth for a long time.

Fortunately, even with the weak or inadequate jawbone, the patient can undergo bone grafting and gum grafting procedure to become eligible. These options strengthen the bone but can extend the procedure by a couple of months to allow for healing and bone regeneration. Using implants to replace lost teeth helps to resolve further problems with bone degeneration and gum recession.

Good oral health

Eligible patients for All-on-4® dental implants need to have a strong immune system and good overall health. Some health conditions, such as diabetes and smoking habits, can affect an individual's candidacy because they can inhibit the bone’s healing ability and cause implant failure.

The extent of tooth loss

All-on-4® is good for people who are missing most or all the teeth on a jaw. The dentist may need to extract any remaining teeth to create room for the implant restoration. Those who have lost a tooth or only a few will need to consider other procedures, such as single tooth restoration or implant-supported bridges.

In conclusion

Missing teeth can cause several issues in the mouth. Fortunately, All-on-4® is available to replace the lost teeth. To know if you are a candidate for the procedure, book an appointment with the dentist for a consultation to discuss details of the procedure and help you make the right decision.

Request an appointment here: https://www.preferreddentalcenter.com or call Preferred Dental Center at (210) 822-8500 for an appointment in our San Antonio office.

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