All on Four & Other Dental Implants – Overview

Not having a full set of teeth can be detrimental to one’s life. It can reduce our self-confidence and negatively impact our social and professional lives. It can also make vital daily functions like biting, speaking, swallowing and chewing that much more complicated.

People with missing teeth should review their options with their dentist to decide what course of action they should take to improve their oral health. The list of treatment choices usually includes the common go to options, dentures and bridges. While these are effective to a point, and certainly have been modernized over the years, they feature certain drawbacks that can hinder a patient’s daily life.

Another more current option would be the All-on-4 implants, a revolutionary way to replace a set of missing teeth. Before getting into this option however, let’s first take a look at the various kinds of dental implants. Then we’ll come back and explore the benefits of All-on-4 implants to help you understand what makes them so effective. Lastly, we’ll look at why Georgian Dental® is a great choice for Barrie residents in search of a new dental clinic.

Challenges with Replacing Missing Teeth

Missing teeth can make you feel less confident about smiling or what foods you’re able to eat. Most importantly though, our mouths act as the gateway to our overall health, playing a significant role in our diet and hydration and allowing bacteria and germs to enter our bodies.

If you are missing teeth, you could be susceptible to the following health issues:

• Heart disease caused by untreated inflammation, which can result from missing teeth.
• Endocarditis, which is an infection of the heart’s inner lining. This can happen when oral germs spread to the heart via the bloodstream.

In addition to problems with chewing, biting and speaking, missing teeth can cause chronic headaches and increase the risk of an infection in one’s mouth. These infections can spread to other areas of your body and have the potential to erupt into serious health problems.

A missing tooth or teeth can also cause:

• The gums to recede creating pockets for bacteria to grow.
• Surrounding teeth to experience decay or plaque buildup.
• Teeth that neighbour gaps could grow into the empty space and become crooked or crowd other teeth.
• An increase in the likelihood of gum disease.

If you are missing one or more teeth, it’s time to start reviewing the available options and to take the first step toward rectifying the issue.

Dental Implants

A dental implant is an artificial root made of metal that the replacement teeth are attached to. Either a dentist or an oral surgeon can perform the insertion of an implant into a patient’s mouth. In some cases, a specialist called a prosthodontist who will actually create the “fake” tooth.

Not everyone is a candidate for a dental implant but if you are in general good health, including having healthy gums, there’s a strong chance your dentist will recommend this treatment for your situation. Your dentist or oral surgeon must also determine if your jawbone is strong and developed enough to withstand the implant. If it isn’t, a bone graft, a surgical procedure to replace missing or damaged bone, can be required in order for an implant to be successful.

Dentures

Dentures have long been the most common method to replace several teeth. It’s an apparatus that can be placed and removed from one’s mouth whenever the person wants. They are usually made of metal or acrylic and can be used to replace either a handful of teeth or a full set.

The pitfalls are that they can be uncomfortable, require delicate and constant care and can negatively impact the way you speak. If dentures are ill-fitting, they can shift causing discomfort and pain.

Bridges

As its name suggests, this option bridges the gap caused by missing teeth. This treatment can help maintain one’s facial shape and can ensure a healthy and proper bite. Furthermore, it can restore one’s smile and confidence.

The purpose of a dental bridge is to distribute the force exerted by biting and chewing as to not harm a patient’s mouth or natural teeth. They also keep healthy teeth in place so that crowding doesn’t occur and to prevent teeth from becoming crooked.

All-on-4 Implants

While the above-mentioned treatments are proven and considered to be effective by the dental community, patients deserve a solution that offers greater results and comfort.

Georgian Dental® provides an implant system called the All-on-4 treatment. It is designed to give patients permanent teeth in only one day. This fixed system of replacement teeth is almost indistinguishable from natural teeth.

All-on-4 Implants provide patients with:

• A healthy solution to missing teeth and the issues they cause.
• The ability and pleasure of eating all different types of foods.
• A procedure that is minimally invasive and relatively painless.
• Teeth that are held securely in place in a comfortable manner. This means patients don’t have to worry about them shifting.
• A short recovery period.
• A boost to your self-esteem.

This set of teeth features 4-6 implants and is ideal for people losing an entire row of teeth. Patients also enjoy more stability in their jawbone.

People with jawbones that are under-developed can still be considered for the All-on-4 implant system. Because the implants are inserted at an angle, it requires less jaw area to stay in place.

After undergoing this treatment, patients must care for their artificial teeth in the same way they would natural teeth. This means adhering to a proper and strict oral hygiene routine outlined by your dentist.

A Life-Changing Treatment

The All-on-4 Implant treatment can change the lives of those struggling with missing teeth. It allows people to go about their day without the discomfort of shifting dentures or any concern about flashing their smile. Many patients even claim that it makes them feel younger. Furthermore, this is a great option for people who love food and don’t want to be restricted when eating.

Why Choose Georgian Dental®?

Georgian Dental® is committed to helping Barrie residents achieve optimal oral health and the radiant smile that they deserve. We adopt cutting-edge technology and modern philosophies to make sure our patients experience the utmost comfort and have access to safe treatments that minimize the use of harmful chemicals.

Our staff has the knowledge and experience to tackle a variety of dental issues and we believe in treating the entire patient, not just their mouth. We invite you to peruse our commitment to holistic dentistry to learn how we operate and the practices and services we offer.

Book an Appointment Today!

If you’re in need of dental implants, complete this short form to book your no-obligation initial consultation with a member of our staff.

During this consultation, we can review your case and discuss all your options, including the All-on-4 treatment, to determine what you are a candidate for and what is best for your health. We can also answer any questions you might have.