If you are facing complete extractions on the upper arch, lower arch, or both, you might be considering your options to complete your smile. Sure, you could opt for single dental implants, but they are limited due to cost and the amount of surgery required.
Problems with Traditional Dentures
Conventional dentures work well for many people, but if you have experience with dentures that slip, fall, or feel bulky, you might want a more reliable solution. That’s where all-on-4® dentures come in.
Instead of relying on bone structure and suction to stay in place, all-on-4 dentures are anchored to your bone using four or more dental implants on each arch. We offer all-on-4 dentures in our Lodi and Elk Grove dental offices to help our patients achieve better health and improved confidence.
Are All-on-4 Dentures Right for Me?
It’s natural to have questions about something as important as your smile. The best way to determine if all-on-4 is right for you is to contact our Lodi or Elk Grove dental offices to arrange an evaluation with Dr. Pritpal Gill. He will evaluate your oral health to determine if you are a good candidate to have implant-supported dentures.
An evaluation may include the following:
- 3-D imaging of bone structure
- Evaluation of gum health and any remaining teeth
- Consultation to discuss your smile goals
- Impressions of the upper and lower arch
- Digital photos and imaging for treatment planning
- Discussion of current medical conditions and medications
Your implant denture evaluation will help Dr. Gill determine if your bone is healthy enough to support dental implants. He will review your medical history and medication list to ensure that all-on-4 will be safe.
Once you get the all-clear from Dr. Gill to proceed, he will begin the process of planning your dental implant surgery and denture fabrication.
The Dental Implant Process
We want your new denture to be as stable as possible. Dr. Gill will identify the ideal locations for your dental implants using the data he collected from your 3-D imaging and impressions. Some of your dental implants might be placed at an angle for greater stability when it’s time to restore your smile with your prosthetic.
Dental implant surgery consists of several steps:
- Completely numb the area where the dental implants will be placed
- Surgically place dental implants into strategic locations for stability
- Healing and integration of the dental implants
Sometimes, we can place your new denture on the same day or shortly after dental implant surgery. In other cases, when it’s best to wait for your implants to integrate with your jawbone, we provide temporary options, so you don’t have to live without teeth for an extended period.
Full integration for dental implants can take 4-8 months.
All-on-4 Dentures for Your New Smile
Many people wonder if their new dentures will look fake. You don’t have to worry about that at Oak Tree Dentistry. Dr. Gill will consult with you about how you would like your new smile to look, including the color and shade of your new teeth. He will also take some important factors into account when designing your dentures.
- The shape of your face
- Skin tone and hair color
- Your age
- Your personality and goals for your smile
- The shape of your smile
- How your bite comes together
Modern dentures have endless shades, shapes, lengths, and color options. Gone are the days of boxy, fake-looking dentures that grandma and grandpa used to wear. Your denture is a custom creation – a dental work of art that will suit your appearance as though they are your natural teeth.
Getting Used to All-on-4 Dentures
Any denture takes some getting used to. You will need to stick with soft foods as your mouth heals for your comfort and proper healing. Gradually, you will be able to eat just about anything you want once your implant sites are healed, stable, and comfortable. Dr. Gill will provide dietary guidelines to help you.
Speaking as much as possible will help the process feel natural and, quickly, any lisp or speech abnormality will disappear.
Cleaning your attached all-on-4 dentures is much like cleaning your natural teeth. Since they are fixed, there are a few extra steps to take with special floss or a WaterPik to keep the gums below healthy and bacteria-free. Be sure to also brush your tongue, which can harbor bacteria.
If you have snap-in style all-on-4 dentures, you will remove them for cleaning, using a soft brush and special denture cleanser to keep them fresh.
What Can I Eat with My All-on-4 Dentures?
Immediately following surgery, and for a month or two, you will need to stick with softer foods both for comfort and to prevent too much pressure from being placed on your dental implants while they integrate with your jawbone.
Once your mouth is healed fully, which can take several months, you can integrate more foods into your diet. Eventually, you can look forward to a well-rounded diet with crunchy veggies and grilled steaks on the menu!
Just remember that your denture is strong but not indestructible. Don’t chew ice, hard candy, or anything that might damage your denture.
Ongoing Dental Care at Oak Tree Dentistry
When you have all-on-4 dentures, we will book follow-up appointments at our Lodi or Elk Grove dental offices to examine your denture, evaluate your oral health, and monitor your bone levels. These ongoing visits are essential to the longevity of your dentures.
All-on-4 Dentures in Lodi and Elk Grove
If you want a solution to replace your teeth without denture mishaps and slips, give us a call to book an evaluation with Dr. Gill. We look forward to helping you achieve the smile you deserve.