Dr. Christopher Pescatore
Restorative & Cosmetic Dentistry
Creating Beautiful Smiles
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Comparing Traditional Dental Implants and All-on-4®

In Oral Surgery April 17, 2024

When considering options for tooth replacement, you may come across two popular choices: traditional dental implants and the All-on-4 implant-supported dentures. Both options offer effective solutions for restoring your smile and improving the functionality of your bite, but they differ in several key aspects.

Cost of Implant-Supported Restorations

Traditional dental implants typically involve the placement of individual implants for each missing tooth, which can increase the overall cost of treatment, especially if you need multiple implants. However, the All-on-4 treatment uses four implants per arch to secure a full set of dentures, making it a more cost-effective option for patients seeking full-mouth restoration.

Treatment Time

Traditional dental implant treatment often requires a surgical procedure to place the implant post and then you spend a few months recovering. This healing period of several months is needed for osseointegration (the fusion of the implants with the jawbone) before the final restoration can be attached. In contrast, the All-on-4 procedure allows for immediate placement of the implants, meaning that a temporary prosthesis can be attached on the same day as implant placement. This can significantly reduce the overall treatment time and provide patients with immediate aesthetic and functional benefits.

Bone Density and Volume

Traditional dental implants require adequate bone density and volume for successful placement and long-term stability. If you have experienced bone loss in the jaw due to tooth loss or other factors, bone grafting procedures may be necessary to build up the bone structure before implant placement.

Number of Implants

Traditional dental implants typically require the placement of one implant per missing tooth. This means that patients with multiple missing teeth may need a larger number of implants to support their restoration, increasing the complexity and cost of treatment. The All-on-4 option uses only four implants per arch to support a full set of replacement teeth, providing a more streamlined and efficient solution for patients needing full-mouth rehabilitation.

Maintenance and Care

Both traditional dental implants and All-on-4 implant-supported dentures require regular maintenance and care to ensure long-term success. Proper oral hygiene practices, including brushing, flossing, and routine dental visits, are essential for maintaining the health of your implants and surrounding tissues. With traditional implants, each implant-supported restoration can be cleaned individually, while All-on-4 restorations require special care techniques to clean around the supporting implants and prosthetic teeth.

Aesthetics and Function

Both traditional dental implants and All-on-4 implants offer natural-looking and functional results, allowing you to eat, speak, and smile with confidence. Traditional implants provide individual support for each tooth replacement, offering maximum stability and customization for a natural appearance. The All-on-4 option provides full-arch support with fewer implants, offering an efficient and cost-effective solution for restoring your smile and improving oral function.

Making the Right Choice for You

Choosing between traditional dental implants and the All-on-4 dentures depends on various factors, including cost, treatment time, bone density, and personal preferences. While traditional implants offer individual support for each tooth replacement and may be preferable for some patients, the All-on-4 option provides an efficient and cost-effective solution for full-mouth restoration. Consult with your dentist to discuss your options and determine the best treatment plan for achieving your desired smile goals and restoring your oral health and the functionality of your bite.

The post Comparing Traditional Dental Implants and All-on-4® first appeared on Dental Signal.
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Dr. Pescastore,

I just had to take a minute to let you know how much me and my family appreciate everything you have done for us. When we met in 2001 I was honestly anxious about the work I needed to have done. I was nervous about the results and also about the potential pain it might take to achieve the smile I wanted. You were so thorough in your evaluation of my extensive dental history and so clear in your explanation of the procedures required that I felt confident to take your recommendations and trust my smile to you. I have never regretted that decision. I am so grateful for the way you and your wonderful staff made every appointment as easy and comfortable as it could possibly have been. I was always happy to be going there knowing I would be treated so well and love the results. I still feel the same way, and look forward to my appointments with you and your caring staff. I really enjoy the spa like feeling and always leave there more relaxed than when I arrived. My friends are always surprised to learn that I look forward to my dentist appointments as they are lamenting about theirs.

I am especially grateful for the way you have treated my daughters. They too had many dentists before you and were nervous about going to the dentist. Thanks to you and Stacey and the rest of your wonderful staff they now share my feeling about going to the dentist and are happy to be there. Brooke is so afraid of needles that even at seventeen years old she still cries if she thinks she might get a shot at the doctors office. She was very nervous before her first appointment with you, in spite of mine and her sisters assurance that it really wouldn't hurt. Thank you for proving us right. Now even Brooke is not afraid to go to the dentist. I also want you to know how grateful I am for the emergency care you gave Sadie when she chipped her front tooth. I really appreciate you changing your own plans for the day to help her. She was so upset about the way her tooth looked that she cried all the way to your office. She, like me, left your office that day feeling great about herself and her smile. You have really made a positive difference in our lives and we are all so grateful to you for it. We all look forward to seeing you and your great team for our future dental needs.

With Great Respect and Many Thanks,

Pennie Gaddis

I look back at old photographs and realize I spent years hiding teeth. I had braces in my 30s and made the mistake of having my orthodontist apply veneers to my discolored, misshapen teeth. I was his first veneers patient, and I learned that when you're having cosmetic dentistry done, you should have a cosmetic dentist do it. When I decided to have those veneers replaced, I found an expert Dr. Pescatore. In fact, it was just a few weeks before my wedding that I asked Dr. Pescatore to do my smile makeover. I trusted him completely and knew from my first appointment that I was in good hands. He impressed me with his concern that my veneers look natural, and they do. My smile is huge in my wedding pictures, not only because I had a new husband but also because I had fabulous new teeth! I'm grateful to Dr. Pescatore and his caring, attentive staff for what they did for me. I finally have the smile I'd always wanted.

Evelyn Dalton

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