Dental implants are the new way of replacing missing or lost teeth. It is more convenient and efficient compared to dentures since they look and function just like natural teeth. Many people go for this procedure to solve their missing tooth problems.

On the site where a tooth is missing, a titanium post is implanted into the patient’s jawbone through surgery and allowed to heal for some time. After recovery, artificial crowns will then be placed on each post to fill in the lost tooth.

Regular dental implants are good if you have one or two missing teeth. However, it might not be practical for those who are missing several or even a row of teeth. This is when all-on-four implants are considered the best solution. Read along to know more about all-on-four and its advantages as a tooth replacement procedure.

What is All-on-Four Implants?

Ordinary dental implants require a metal implant on every missing tooth. However, in all on 4, instead of having an implant per lost tooth, only 4 posts are implanted in this procedure – on the key locations of the jawbone. These posts will then hold an entire arch of artificial teeth, whether it is the top or bottom arch. This makes it more practical and less invasive for those patients who have a severe case of tooth loss.

Compared to artificial dentures, all-on-four is also more convenient to use. They work like solo implants which means they stay in place as you talk, chew and laugh. Unlike artificial dentures wherein you need adhesives to keep them in place, all-on-four implants are sturdy without the need for adhesives.

What to Expect After the Procedure?

Dental implant procedure requires surgery to embed the metal posts into the jawbone. This requires time to recover and heal fully before the dentist place the artificial teeth on it. To speed up your healing, follow these simple tips after an implant surgery.

After surgery, avoid spitting and rinsing vigorously to help the wounds clot and heal faster. Be sure to rinse gently with salt water to clean your mouth. When brushing, use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Continue to brush regularly like your usual routine but brush gently since your gums are still healing.

After dental implant surgery, eat only soft foods. Hard and crunchy foods will cause stress to your gums and jawbone, slowing its healing process.
Some swelling and pain is normally experienced after the surgery. Apply an ice pack or cold compress on the jaw area to relieve discomfort.
Be sure to keep yourself well hydrated to help your body in its recovery process. If you have a workout routine, pause it first for a few days after surgery to avoid straining yourself. Get adequate rest and be sure that the wounds are fully healed before you slowly get back to exercising and working out.

Dental implants are a safe procedure. With proper care and maintenance, you can be sure that this procedure will work great for you.