Losing all or a significant number of your teeth can have a serious impact on your quality of life. If you are seeking replacements for missing teeth, there are a few treatments to consider. Most people are familiar with traditional dentures, but they aren’t your only option. Perhaps you’ve heard of All on 4 dental implants, but you’re wondering if you can get dental implants if you have no teeth at all. If you have lost all of your teeth, the good news is that there are several treatments that will leave you with a full set of brand new teeth. All on 4 dental implants are one of them. Below, we’ll take a closer look at all of your options and explore the pros and cons of All on 4 implants in particular.
Why Should You Consider Replacing Your Lost Teeth?
Living with no teeth can have a number of negative impacts on your physical and mental health. Thankfully, there are a variety of treatments that can give you a full set of new teeth and get you back to your smiling best. Replacing your teeth can make your life easier in the following ways:
Diet
No more liquid diets and pureed meals. Even the most basic denture designs will allow you to chew more solid foods again. Ultra-modern therapies like All on 4 dental implants will eventually allow you to eat any food you like once they’re fully healed, regardless of the bite force required.
Self-Confidence
Scientific studies have confirmed that severe dental issues, such as losing your teeth, can have profound and devastating effects on a person’s mental health and self-esteem. No matter which treatment you choose, all modern dental implants are designed to look like the real thing. As well as instantly improving your physical health and functionality, replacing lost teeth can help you get out and do the things you love with confidence again.
Better Oral Health
Without teeth to support, the jaw bone and surrounding tissues begin to break down. This can lead to weakened bone structure and serious medical complications down the track. If the change to the jaw structure is significant enough, it can actually drastically change your outward appearance. The best way to avoid these complications is to replace your missing teeth. Good oral health is also easiest to maintain when you have a set of teeth to look after.
What Options Do You Have To Replace A Full Set Of Teeth?
No Treatment
The easiest solution is to do nothing. While this means you’ll avoid a trip to the dentist and the hassle of navigating your way through treatment options, it definitely won’t prove to be the best option in the long run. We highly recommend looking into some of the following options for replacing your teeth.
Removable Dentures
When most people think of false teeth, they think of removable dentures. These are the least expensive option to replace a full set of teeth and can be well tailored by a skilled prosthetic dentist. However, — being removable by nature — they are prone to being lost and more easily damaged. Over time, the shape and fit of the dentures may also distort or change. Poor fitting dentures can cause discomfort and reduced functionality, both of which are common complaints from denture patients.
Bridgework
Dental bridges can replace multiple lost teeth. It is a relatively minor procedure, where a continuous row of replacement teeth are attached to at least two existing teeth, that are then reshaped to make good anchors for the bridge. This does mean that while bridges can potentially replace a lot of teeth, there must be some healthy teeth remaining in the right places for bridgework to be a viable option. These are a more secure option than dentures, but are only semi-permanent and need to be replaced every five to ten years.
Dental Implants
Implants are a more modern, permanent solution to severe dental issues and missing teeth. Implants are embedded in the jaw bone and the replacement teeth are permanently attached. Implants can be used to replace just one missing tooth, or multiple missing teeth. In the case of All on 4 implants, a full set of new teeth on a single bridge is anchored using only a few implants on each jaw bone.
What Are The Advantages Of All On 4 Dental Implants?
All on 4 implants are an ideal option for you if you have no teeth, because they are designed to replace a full set of teeth. They are a cutting edge option that have a number of additional benefits when compared to traditional dentures and bridges. With this implant option, a full bridge is fixed onto just 4 implants (hence the name), which means that the implant surgery is minimally invasive. This technique also promotes quicker recovery. Permanently attached teeth can’t be lost or easily broken, and they won’t change their shape or fit over time. All on 4 implants are designed to be permanent, so once you’ve paid for and recovered from the initial procedure, you’ll enjoy the benefits indefinitely.
What else do I need to consider?
Before settling on All on 4 implants for your full set of new teeth, it’s important to understand what the procedure involves and the possible drawbacks.
Getting All On 4 Dental Implants
The first thing to consider is that dental implants require surgery. If you already have no teeth, the good news is that you won’t need to have teeth extracted in preparation for the implants themselves. The implant procedure is carried out under general anaesthesia, so any discomfort you’ll experience will be limited to your recovery. Like most modern medical procedures, dental implant surgery is extremely safe, but there are unique risks associated with the treatment that you should be aware of. Seeking out a clinic like Kew Dentistry that specialises in All on 4 treatment will land you in the most experienced hands and help to significantly reduce these risks.
Recovery
A well-managed recovery period is the best way to ensure the best outcome from your new All on 4 implants. Immediately after the procedure, your implants will not yet have knitted to the jaw bone and the surgical sites will need to heal. This is the time when the risk of complications, such as infection and damage to the implants, is at its highest. Your dentist will give you a detailed aftercare plan that includes dietary changes for immediately after surgery. These changes can be inconvenient, but they are temporary and are part of good treatment planning for All on 4 implant therapy.
Cost
There are a few costs associated with All on 4 implants. Remember that the treatment involves surgery, so costs associated with significant medical procedures — such as general anaesthesia costs — will apply. Your treatment plan will be tailored to you and may also include preparatory procedures like bone grafting. The most important thing to remember is that for the price of your initial treatment, you’ll receive the very best lifelong implants modern dentistry has to offer.
Talk To Us About All On 4 Dental Implants
Kew Dentistry is a specialist All on 4 clinic. If you have more questions about possible options for replacing your lost teeth or All on 4 treatment, book an appointment or get in touch with us today.