Living Through Premature Tooth Loss

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Choosing All On Four Implants Instead Of Dentures

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If your teeth are in ill health and your dentist has suggested the removal of all or most of your teeth, then you may be concerned about restoration. The two main restoration methods that are available to you include dentures and dental implants. It may seem like a daunting task to have all your teeth replaced with implants. The good news is that you do not need an implant roof for every single tooth. Four implants can be secure for each arch. This means four implants for the top part of the mouth and four for the bottom. This is called all on four implantation. You have the option of working with your dentist to have bridges secured or dentures. When deciding on whether the four on one process is best, you should consider the benefits.

Optimal Jaw Health

When you go through the process of being fitted for removable dentures, you may learn that your arch will shrink over time. This is one reason why you have to schedule multiple fittings. The shrinking in due to the pressure on the gum tissues. It also involves the wearing away or disintegration of the jaw bone. This is commonly referred to as bone loss, and it occurs whether one or several teeth are removed.

Jaw bone loss can occur for many different reasons. When natural teeth are no longer present, the issue is caused by the lack of bone stimulation. Stimulation occurs as the tooth roots push and move against the jaw. This forces the bone cells to release old bone material and create new tissue. If the roots do not press on the jaw, the bone material is lost and it does not rebuild. 

Dental implant roots stimulate the jaw just like the natural tooth roots. This means a healthier jaw, even if dentures are attached to the roots. 

Better Control

Dentures are difficult for some people to get used to. While this may have a lot to do with the different feel of the teeth, many people complain about the way the dentures fit. Even when dentures fit well, they can still move and place pressure on the gums when you eat. This can cause issues like ulcers, infections, and pain. 

You will get used to dentures, but it may take over a year before soft tissue pain subsides. All on four dental implants eliminate most denture issues by keeping your teeth in place. Pain is a part of the initial implant healing process. However, it is short term as your incisions and your jaw bone heal. After healing, your jaw will be solid and your implants will not move. This means no pressure or pain. You will need to be patient during the initial healing process, so make sure to speak to your dentist about how long this is likely to take. 


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