At Hertfordshire Dental Group we are delighted to be able to offer All on 4 (Teeth in a day) meaning patients with removable dentures or failing bridgework can receive a full mouth of permanent, fixed teeth in just one visit.
When all of the teeth in a jaw are missing or the remaining teeth are beyond repair and a patient does not want to wear a removable denture, it is often possible to place a full set of fixed, new teeth using as few as four (and sometimes six) implants. This is known as the ‘All-on-4’ (or 6) concept.
By placing a minimum of four implants in the upper and lower jaw we are able to provide fixed replacement teeth using all the available bone.
This procedure is life changing for patients who may have been advised they have insufficient bone to support dental implants, or for patients who are unhappy with their current dentures or worn out bridgework.
Most patients who request this kind of treatment are unhappy with their existing bridgework or dentures and want an alternative that is permanently fixed in place.
Your dentist will assess your mouth to ensure you are suitable for the procedure, arranging dental radiography and CT 3D scans to take precise measurements and assess bone volume and density. Time spent on diagnosis and assessment is crucial to the design of your treatment plan and is the most important part of the whole process. The new teeth can be made to closely match the original teeth, or a new look can be chosen, depending on whether a new smile or better function is required.
The dentist will remove your failed teeth or bridgework and place implants which are able to support a full row of new teeth. The procedure can take two to four hours for one arch, and both top and bottom can be completed in just one visit.
Your new teeth will be fixed in place and will be a high-quality temporary restoration which will be worn during the healing phase, acting as a template and planning tool for your final permanent teeth.
This is the opportunity to test your new teeth and decide on any final adjustments concerning the colour, texture and positioning of the teeth.
This period allows the implants to completely fuse to the jawbone in preparation for your final set of teeth.
Your final bridge is usually ready within three to six months of your initial treatment. It will made of either carbon fibre or a state-of-the-art computer milled titanium skeleton with a choice of composite zirconia or acrylic teeth.
These procedures can be carried out in the dental chair under normal dental local anaesthetic.