Our teeth play a large role in our daily life and can often be seen as a symbol of health and beauty. When our teeth are missing, it can affect more than our self-confidence. Missing teeth can make it difficult to eat, drink, talk and stay healthy. Often times, people think removable dentures are the solution. The sad reality is they are often only the start of even more problems; continued and extensive loss of bone, denture sores, difficulty chewing, poor esthetics, and more. Consider All-on-4 dental implants in Mankato.
All-on-4 Implants: How They Work
All-on-4 is a unique procedure that allows us to place four or more permanent implants in the jaw, on top of which a full tooth bridge is placed, providing you with natural-looking teeth. Often-times teeth may be removed, implants placed, and the bridge placed all in the same day!
In many cases, it is possible for your team of dental experts to extract any remaining natural teeth, place the implants, and provide you with your new prosthesis all on the same day.
The Benefits of All-on-4
Although All-on-4 dentures may require a higher up-front investment than traditional dentures, they are a worthwhile investment because of the many benefits they offer:
- Dental implants and their restorations are very sturdy. After you have recovered sufficiently from your placement surgery, you should be able to enjoy all of your favorite foods without worrying that your teeth will slip out of place.
- Dental implants help to preserve healthy bone, which can help to maintain the shape of your face.
- All-on-4 provides a long-term solution for tooth replacement. In fact, if all goes well, your implants will form a permanent bond with your bone — your new smile could last a lifetime! This is in stark contrast to traditional dentures, which may need to be replaced every five to eight years or so.
- Implant restorations are made of high-quality materials that closely resemble natural teeth. Not only will your smile be beautiful, but it will be natural-looking as well. It is unlikely that anyone will be able to tell that your smile isn’t the one that nature gave you.
Are You a Candidate for All-on-4?
If you are in fair overall health, have suffered significant tooth loss, or have teeth that are hopeless to restore, All-on-4 implant-supported bridges could be right for you. However, the only way to find out for sure is by visiting Dr. Kalina for a consultation. After performing a thorough examination of your mouth, he will talk to you about your options for tooth replacement. It may not be long before you are once again the proud owner of a beautiful, strong, and healthy smile!
About the Author
Dr. James Kalina earned his dental degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He works alongside local oral surgeons to provide patients with beautiful, strong, implant-supported tooth replacement solutions. If you would like to talk to Dr. Kalina and discover whether All-on-4 dentures are right for you, contact our office at 507-625-2021.
