.png){kind=logo}
If you have lost most or all of your teeth due to extensive tooth decay, advanced gum disease, or an oral injury, All-On-4 is a revolutionary treatment that can replace a full mouth of missing teeth with a beautiful, natural looking prosthesis. Dr. Griffin will use advanced technology to plan your treatment, and as an experienced prosthodontist, you can rest assured that the results of your procedure will be beautiful and long-lasting.
This efficient restorative procedure has many unique benefits for patients who are missing most or all of their teeth:
All-On-4 is a type of implant-supported bridge that can restore a patient’s entire smile permanently with as few as four dental implants. This revolutionary treatment involves the placement of a minimal amount of dental implants necessary to support a permanent, fixed porcelain dental bridge that replaces a full arch of missing teeth.
The procedure itself takes only a single appointment, but multiple consultations may be required during the treatment planning process. Dr. Griffin will take an impression of your mouth and images of your jaw in order to plan your All-On-4 treatment with precision and accuracy.
That's the goal! All-On-4 uses a special type of placement method that allows the doctor to place implants at an angle in order to provide strong support for your full arch dental bridge. The objective is to place as few implants as necessary to properly support your restoration. Depending on your case, you may require more than four dental implants. But Dr. Griffin and the team will do whatever is necessary to ensure you end up with a functional, beautiful result.
Since your All-On-4 implant dentures are not removable, you will need to take some special steps to keep them clean and ensure your mouth is not affected by bacterial growth or gum disease. Dr. Griffin will provide you with a comprehensive set of instructions for All-On-4 care after you have your implants placed.
First, we recommend using a water flosser like a Waterpik twice per day. Use your water flosser to blast away food particles from the upper and lower fixed bridge, using a medium or low setting on the water flosser.
In addition, you should floss under the bridge at least once per day. You can use a floss threader or floss normally using your preferred dental floss. Flossing between the bridge and gums will help dislodge food that has not been knocked loose by your water flosser.
Brushing your bridge and your gums is also a good idea. Brush twice a day in gentle, circular movements to clean your gums and dislodge food, plaque, and bacteria from your bridge and your gums.
You may also want to purchase an interdental brush or sulcus brush. This type of brush has a very thin head, which can easily fit between your gums and your All-On-4 implant-supported bridges. This can help you clean between your bridge and gums more easily.
Finally, rinsing daily with an antibacterial mouthwash that contains hydrogen peroxide, such as Peroxyl, can help eliminate small particles from underneath your bridge, and keep your gums healthy.
The All-On-4 procedure is relatively simple to understand. To begin, Dr. Griffin will clean and numb your mouth to keep you comfortable. You can also be sedated during this process.
Next, your mouth will be prepared for dental implants. This may include extracting any remaining damaged teeth, or trimming away damaged or diseased gum tissue. Your bone ridges may also need to be adjusted.
Once your mouth has been fully prepared, Dr. Griffin will begin surgically placing your dental implants, based on a precise implant plan. Typically, two will be inserted in the front of the mouth, and two will be placed near the rear of the mouth.
After your implants have been placed, a set of temporary implant-supported dentures will be attached to your implants right away. Then, your mouth will be cleaned and sutures will be placed to promote healing.
It will take about 3-6 months to heal and recover from the initial All-On-4 process. During this time, you’ll continue to wear your temporary dentures. You will come in for several follow-ups with Dr. Griffin while you heal. During these appointments, she will begin crafting your permanent dentures.
Once your mouth has healed completely, you’ll come back to have your final set of All-On-4 dentures placed. These will typically fit better and look more natural than your temporary dentures.
After Dr. Griffin has placed your permanent All-On-4 dentures, you’re done, and you can enjoy your new smile. Make sure to come back to Lake Bluff Dental for regular six-month appointments to ensure that your gums and implants are healthy and strong.
If you are missing most or all of your teeth, or you have serious oral health issues like severe tooth decay or advanced gum disease, All-On-4 may be right for you. Good candidates for All-On-4 will: