Tooth loss is far more common than most people realize. In the United States, 178 million people are missing at least one tooth, and 35 million are missing one or both rows of teeth.
Those statistics come from the American College of Prosthodontists. We are presenting them today to let you know that you are not alone if you are missing multiple teeth.
Our dentist in Woodbury, MN, Dr. Mark W. Wilhelm is a prosthodontist, too. It’s also a good reason you may want to come to our office if you are thinking of getting dentures.
You may be a good candidate for All-on-4™ dental implants. With this procedure, your dentures can function more like your natural teeth, and you can enjoy those benefits faster than you would with other implant placement procedures.
Call 651-319-9064 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.
What Is A Prosthodontist?
Before we get into some of the nitty-gritty of teeth replacements, we want to take a moment to explain what a prosthodontist is.
In dentistry, you have general dentists and specialists. You may have heard of some of them. Orthodontists are specialists in straightening teeth. Periodontists are experts in gum health.
And prosthodontists are experts in replacing missing teeth.
In addition to his general dental education at the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine, Dr. Wilhelm received at Master of Science in dentistry and a specialty certificates in prosthodontics and maxillofacial prosthetics from Indiana University.
Since then, Dr. Wilhelm has made continuing education an important part of his practice. This included courses at the Kois Center, where he was named a Recognized Specialist and received Mentor status.
He also has earned met the requirements as a Diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, and he remains active in the American College of Prosthodontists.
Dr. Wilhelm takes his training seriously because our patients deserve the best service available in modern dental care.
What Is The All-on-4 Procedure?
In a basic sense, All-on-4 is an efficient method of placing dental implants to provide the maximum benefit for you.
Dental implants were created to replace the roots of missing teeth. As such, a series of implants can secure a set of dentures while anchoring your dentures to your jawbone.
Rather than placing an individual implant for every missing tooth. All-on-4 is a strategic approach that uses just four implants. With careful placement, those four implants are all you need to keep your dentures stable and your jaw healthy.
With All-on-4, two implants are placed vertically at the front of your mouth. The other two implant are placed diagonally toward the back of your mouth.
In some individual cases, however, four dental implants may not be enough. We can also perform the All-on-6TM procedure to provide additional support and security.
Call 651-319-9064 if you would like to discuss All-on-4 with Dr. Wilhelm.
What Are The Benefits Of Dental Implants?
With All-on-4, you can feel confident that your dentures will stay in place during your everyday use.
These dental implants will keep dentures in place. You can feel free to tell a story from your last vacation, read a book to your grandchildren, or place an order at your favorite restaurant. And when you dine out, you can eat whatever you want to eat — instead of what you have to eat.
With implant-supported dentures like All-on-4, you won’t worry that biting into something will cause your dentures to come loose. For practical purposes, you will be able to eat the same things that you could eat when you had all your natural teeth.
It’s hard to quantify what that does for your quality of life. When you can bite into anything from apples to steak and chew it comfortably, it makes a difference in how much you enjoy your meals.
When you aren’t worried that your teeth might fall out if you start talking, this also leaves you feeling more confident about sharing your thoughts with your family and friends. The team at our dentist office in Woodbury, MN, wants you to feel comfortable being yourself.
How Is All-On-4 Different Than Other Dental Implants?
All-on-4 gives you more with less.
First, you are using fewer dental implants. This can reduce your recovery time after the procedure. Second, we can attach a set of temporary dentures the same day that you receive your All-on-4 implants.
After you have healed, we will remove the temporary dentures and affix your permanent dentures in their place. With other implant placement options, you may have to wait months before any dentures are added to your smile. In that time, you will just live without any teeth replacements.
It may just be a temporary situation, but it’s one you can avoid with All-on-4 or All-on-6.
To find out what All-on-4 implants could do for you and your smile, call 651-319-9064 or contact us online to make your appointment.
