All-On-Four Implants
Instead of using a single dental implant for every missing tooth, we can now use four implants on top and/or four on the bottom to anchor full, implant-supported dentures. Your dentist can attach a denture at those spots.
The cost of All-On-4® dental implants can vary depending on the material used, how many missing teeth you need to replace and how much your dental insurance plan will cover. The standard All-On-4 dental implants option includes an acrylic denture built around a titanium framework. This type of denture can cost between $20,000 and $30,000. If you see more than one dentist for the procedure, it can cost more.
Dentures made of porcelain look more natural and realistic and typically last longer than acrylic dentures, but they could also cost up to an additional $5,000 per arch. The dental implants procedure and dentures could end up costing $25,000 to $35,000. Even replacing a broken porcelain denture can cost up to $15,000.
Getting a dental implant for the first time can be daunting. You may fear experiencing pain and uncertainty from the procedure. There is a four-step process for getting All-On-4 dental implants:
- Your dentist will make sure you are comfortable and administer local or general anesthesia.
- Your dentist, periodontist, prosthodontist or oral surgeon will prepare your mouth for dental implants, removing any remaining teeth that are failing along any diseased or infected tissue from your jaws and gums.
- Your dentist will start the process by inserting the titanium screws into your jawbone. He or she will typically place two implants toward the front of your mouth and two toward the back so they can evenly share the biting force placed on the dentures.
- After placing the implants, your dentist will thoroughly clean the surgical sites and suture the incisions. You’ll then go to a recovery room where you can relax and awaken from your anesthesia.
So the complete All-On-4 dental implants procedure includes anesthesia, surgical site preparation, implant placement, and postsurgical cleaning and suturing.
Your recovery time after traditional implant-supported dentures can range from three to eight months, but after getting an All-On-4 denture, you should be functioning much sooner because the implants fuse to your bone and give immediate stability to dentures. Here’s what you can expect the recovery to look like starting the day of the procedure:
After the procedure, you’ll need to rest and avoid bending over, lifting heavy objects or performing any strenuous activities that could cause more bleeding and swelling.
If you normally exercise, you’ll need to avoid it for three or four days after surgery. Remember to rest, do pain management with medication prescribed by your dentist and eat soft, easy-to-chew foods. Avoid hard foods, candies or very hot foods, and avoid chewing if you do not have sensation in your tongue yet. Your dentist will likely advise you to consume only liquids or pureed foods for the first few days after your procedure.
We welcome patients from Santa Barbara, Centennial, Englewood, Denver, Parker and the Denver Tech Center, and surrounding cities and towns.
