All-on-4 vs. Traditional Dental Implants

Dental implants offer a permanent solution to replace missing teeth. The implants are placed directly into the jawbone, replacing the tooth root, and firmly anchoring different types of restorations in place.

For patients who are missing an entire arch of teeth, all-on-4 dental implants use just four implants to secure an upper or lower denture.

If you would like to learn more all-on-4 vs. traditional dental implants, Drs. Jason and Alex Hecht will be glad to discuss your restorative dentistry options. Together, they bring decades of experience to your service at our Staten Island, NY office.

Do You Still Have Healthy Teeth Left?

All-on-4 treatment replaces the entire upper or lower arch of teeth (or both if you are missing all of the teeth in your mouth).

If you have some healthy teeth remaining in your upper or lower arch, you are better suited to traditional dental implants. Traditional dental implants can secure all types of restorations, including dental crowns, bridges, partial dentures, and full dentures. With traditional dental implants, we can replace a single missing tooth, several missing teeth, or all of the teeth in your mouth.

Why Do Patients Choose All-on-4 for Complete Tooth Replacement?

All-on-4 treatment is recommended when patients are missing all of the teeth in the upper or lower jaw. Traditional dental implants can also be used to replace all of the teeth. However, it is a more expensive treatment option.

In addition, traditional dental implants require more bone density than all-on-4 implants. If patients lack adequate bone volume, they may have to undergo an additional bone graft procedure before they can have traditional dental implants placed.

The benefits of the all-on-4 option include:

• No need for bone grafts: With few exceptions, you will not need a bone graft before you undergo all-on-4 dental implant surgery. Because we only place four, small implants, less bone mass is needed for this treatment option.
• Shorter treatment timeline: Avoiding a bone graft procedure shortens the overall treatment time.
• New smile in one day: Because your permanent set of teeth can be placed at once, you can enjoy your new smile instantly.

Once your permanent set of teeth are placed, you can enjoy the benefits of a beautiful smile, improved overall appearance, better chewing function, and easier hygiene routine.

When Are Traditional Dental Implants a Better Option?

If the total amount of treatment time and cost are not factors, traditional dental implants may be a better option for you. Traditional dental implants offer the most stable treatment option, but their price and accessibility can be limited. This is why more cost-effective options such as all-on-4 have been developed to make treatment available to a wider treatment base.

All-on-4 dental implants offer the benefits of traditional dental implants, but with a shorter recovery time and no need for bone grafts. To learn if you are a good candidate for this safe and effective procedure, contact our office online or call (718) 705-4434.