My husband is tired of his dentures. When he first got them, we were under the impression they were his only real option. The longer he’s had them the more he’s despised them. We recently learned about dental implants. We went to see a dentist about them and he said that the All-on-four procedure is his only solution because of bone loss. What I want to know is if this will be as good an option?
Carly
Dear Carly,
All-on-Four Dental Implants
I’m sorry your husband wasn’t given all his options at the beginning. This would have saved you a lot of hassle and discomfort, not to mention paying for two procedures. I hate telling you this, but your husband isn’t being given all his options again. In fact, whatever dentist you saw wasn’t completely honest. The all-on-four procedure isn’t your husbands only option.
While the dentist is right that there was likely a lot of bone loss, you can have bone grafting done. This will enable your husband to do traditional dental implants. You asked if all-on-four is as good. It isn’t. While the procedure has gotten a little better, it is still considered controversial. Plus, if one component of it breaks, the entire unit will have to be replaced.
The theory behind this procedure is to place the anchoring implants at an angle which, in theory, requires less bone structure to be available. That would be a good option if we couldn’t add to our bone structure, but we can.
Get Dentures Supported by Dental Implants
I’m going to recommend he have the bone grafting done and then have implant supported dentures. This places dental implants in his jaw, which in turn will protect him from further bone loss. After a period of healing, he can have dentures anchored to them.
He will find a much higher quality of life. There’s not slipping or sliding, no food getting underneath, and his chewing capacity will be significantly increased. This will completely change the way he feels about his teeth.
I’d also like you guys to look for a better dentist in your area. Hopefully you can find one who keeps up in his field or at least has the guts to say he doesn’t know or can’t provide necessary services.
This blog is brought to you by Hoffman Estates Dentist Dr. William Becker.