In the past, tooth replacement options were limited for people who had no teeth or were about to have no teeth due to decay, poor hygiene, or bad luck. For many, the only possible option was a full denture. Luckily, we don’t live in the past. Today, Mark W. Wilhelm, DMD, MSD has All-on-4TM implants to help give you the smile you have always imagined. Find out more about this revolutionary technique, and get ready to find your new smile.
What is All-on-4?
All-on-4 is a way for people who have lost all of their teeth to get a new smile. For many years, the only options available to edentulous (no teeth) people were dentures or single implants placed for each missing tooth. In case you were wondering, that would mean that 32 separate implants would be needed to replace a full mouth of adult teeth. All-on-4 makes it possible to give a person with no teeth a full mouth of teeth with only four dental implants per dental arch.
The secret to the success of this method is in how the implants are placed. Two implants are placed in the front part of the jaw, and two are placed in the rear. These back two are not placed vertically but rather are tilted. This allows us to take the best advantage of your bone structure while still being able to securely anchor your restorative arch to the implants.
Who Developed the All-on-4 Technique?
The All-on-4 technique was developed and perfected by Nobel Biocare™. Nobel has spent years and millions of dollars in research and development to make All-on-4 the success that it is. You will see that many dentists offer a version of this treatment, but it is not the same unless they are using Nobel products. These specially designed implants are the only ones that can perform to the intended level of effectiveness expected out of the true All-on-4 technique. You can receive Nobel Biocare implants here at Mark W. Wilhelm, DMD, MSD in Woodbury, MN. Not only is Dr. Wilhelm a prosthodontist (restorative and cosmetic dentistry expert), but he is also a certified Nobel Biocare provider.
What is the All-on-4 Process?
If you still have teeth that need to be removed, we will do that first. If you don’t have any teeth left, you are a little bit ahead in the game. Either way, we can usually place your load-bearing restoration the same day you come in for your dental implant procedure.
Step #1 – You will come in and have X-rays, measurements, and dental impressions taken. This gives Dr. Wilhelm all of the information he needs to get your new ceramic restoration custom made to fit perfectly in your mouth. From there, you will schedule a time to come back and get your implants placed.
Step #2 – The day has come for your new smile. If you still have teeth that need to be extracted, we will do that first. Next, Dr. Wilhelm will place your dental implants. You will get two placed vertically in the front of your mouth, and the two in the back will be tilted. Once that is complete, your ceramic restoration will be loaded onto your dental implants, and your smile will be ready to show!
Benefits of All-on-4
Less Invasive – With only four implants being used, you will not have as invasive of a procedure as you would with other types of tooth replacement techniques. There is no other way to get the same number of replacement teeth using so few dental implants.
Shorter Treatment Time – Fewer implants used also equates to less treatment time to place the implants. This means you are out and on your way to recovering more quickly as well. You will have your new smile in less time and can heal in less time with the All-on-4 technique.
Maximum Stability – The tilting of the back implants is what helps make this stability possible. Not only does the angling engage more high-quality bone in your jaw, but it also makes it possible for people with low bone mass in the back of their mouth to get a full arch restoration without needing a bone graft.
If you are an edentulous person (i.e., you have no more teeth) or are soon to have no more teeth, call Mark W. Wilhelm, DMD, MSD today at 651-319-9064 to schedule your appointment. We can’t wait to help you rebuild your smile.
