How Do All-On-4® Dental Implants Differ From Traditional Dental Implants?

Traditional dental implants remain among the most popular restorative dental treatments today, helping countless patients to regain a complete, healthy, functional smile once again. While dental implants are certainly an effective and beneficial treatment option for replacing missing teeth, they are not the only option. At the Center for Dentofacial Aesthetics in Annadale, VA, Dr. Harshit Aggarwal and our dedicated team of dental specialists offers a full suite of dental restorations, including traditional dental implants, All-On-4® dental implants, and others. One of the first questions many patients have when considering their options for implant dentistry is what the difference is between traditional dental implants vs. All-On-4 implants. Keep reading to find the answer to this question and other dental implant FAQs, and discover which option may be better suited to your unique needs.

When are dental implants recommended?

Generally speaking, it is always preferable to avoid tooth extraction and preserve the natural tooth vs. placing an implant when possible. However, there are some situations when it may not be possible to save a natural tooth. In these cases, a dental implant may be recommended to replace a tooth and its root, which can help to preserve critical bone structure, prevent facial atrophy, and maintain proper dental function and oral health. Candidates for dental implants – which are metal screws that are surgically inserted into the jawbone and support restorations, like crowns or dentures – should be free of dental infections and gum disease and have enough healthy bone and tissue to support the implant.

What are All-On-4 implants vs. regular implants?

All-On-4 dental implants are often considered an appropriate and even ideal solution for patients who are in need of a full mouth restoration – meaning they are missing the complete upper and/or lower arch of teeth or are facing the extraction of one or both arches. With All-On-4 implants, four single dental implants are placed in the mouth, and adjoined “sets” of dental restorations – like bridges or dentures – are affixed onto the implants. This offers patients a more convenient, reliable, and stable alternative to removable dentures or bridges, which may require messy adhesives and come with the worry of coming loose or falling out. Additionally, All-On-4 dental implants may be considered for patients who do not have adequate bone or tissue structure to support a full mouth of individual implants.

Should I get All-On-4 dental implants or individual implants?

The best way to determine whether single implants vs. All-On-4 implants may be right for you is to schedule a consultation with one of our esteemed providers. In general, candidates for All-On-4 dental implants:

• Are in good overall health
• Are in need of full arch replacement
• Prefer a more convenient and permanent alternative to removable dentures and restorations
• Cannot support a full mouth of individual implants
• Do not have an active infection, decay, gum disease, etc.

Whether you are facing tooth extraction or are looking to replace your dentures with something more permanent, All-On-4 dental implants may be right for you.

Get a complete smile transformation more conveniently than ever with All-On-4 implants in Annadale, VA

If you aren’t willing or able to have a full mouth’s worth of single implants placed, or if you are wanting to upgrade your traditional dentures to a more permanent solution, you may be excited to learn more about All-On-4 dental implants. Start the process of transforming your smile, boosting your confidence, and improving your dental health and function today by calling the Center for Dentofacial Aesthetics to schedule your All-On-4 implant consultation with Annadale, VA restorative dentist Dr. Harshit Aggarwal. We look forward to helping you get the smile of your dreams – and the one you deserve!