This is the procedure that puts a full set of teeth in on 4 or 6 implanted supports, they are essentially permanent dentures. Apparently it can be done in a single visit.
I’m tired of fighting my lousy teeth and this seems like a possible option (assuming I can figure out how to pay for it). Anyone go this route, or know someone who has? If so, what was your/their experience, and what’s the verdict so far?
I’ve seen a lot of advertisements for implants that can be done in a day and I cannot imagine how that would be possible. They must mean that once you’ve had the posts put in and they’ve healed, putting the actual “tooth” parts on can be done in one visit.
There are xrays to be taken and measurements and impressions which generally take up one appt alone.
Then they have to put the implants themselves in(that is surgery ) followed by about 2 months of healing.
There’s more, but you get the idea.
I have four implants and it was an unbelievably long, drawn out, unpleasant experience. However, I had all kinds of extenuating circumstances so my case is not exactly typical.
After having said all that, I don’t regret getting them at all (though I’m not sure I had had the right dentists). I literally had no back teeth with which to chew and, after having lived with all the temporary devices while the process was going on, the thought of dentures is out of the question.
Perhaps someone who had a more straightforward situation will be able to tell you how it was for them.
Apparently the all-on-four posts are not set as deeply as individual implants, and they are angled differently to absorb pressures? Its basically an entire denture secured to a few posts rather than posts for individual teeth like traditional implants. I do know in reading about aftercare they say you must have a liquid and then semi-soft diet for two weeks or so, and then increase cautiously.
Interesting. I wish mine had been that (relatively) easy. Good to know for future if my remaining natural teeth start to fail.
If it is that simple and you can afford it, I say go for it. Finding a permanent solution to chronic bad dental health is life changing.
I once asked my dentist about the “One Day Implants” thing I’d see advertised and how my implant was a multi-month process. He said that you can do it but the failure rate is closer to 15-20% instead of the much lower failure rate when the bone is allowed to graft into the anchor before attaching the false tooth.
That could be because people who get them don’t tend follow instructions about diet and don’t allow the bone to heal before going to town on some steak.
I had all my lower teeth pulled, a massive trimming of the gums, 4 posts installed and my teeth mounted ( removable dentures) all in one day. I think ex rays and impressions were taken the week before. I never had to go back for an adjustment, I was extremely pleased. My posts were only $500.00 each for a total of about $2800 This was about 12 years ago. It seemed like I was only there about 4 hours.
I started the process at the end of Jan and it is going to be on going for another 4-5 months at least.
Not enough bone up top for implants so just a standard denture there. Frankly, it fits really well and is pretty comfortable. No difficulties with it so far.
In the lower jaw, I had two full size implants put in at the same time as the teeth were extracted. A lower denture that would be adapted to the implants was used to give me some teeth on the bottom. Orders were to not have anything I had to chew for two to three months at minimum. Basically I went back there every month for x-rays until he said I could eat again. (Great diet, I lost 20lbs, but I don’t recommend it for everyone.)
The lower denture is still not attached. Somewhere along the line, one implant didn’t take and after about 4 months, the dentist went back in and unscrewed it from my mouth. (No, seriously, he numbed the gum a little, grabbed a wrench, and screwed that inch or so long puppy right out. Ever heard a screw coming out of a tight piece of wood? Imagine that in your mouth.) So in another month or so I’ll go back in and if the bone has healed up we’ll try the implant again. (On plus side the do-over is a freebie) And with a little luck, almost 10 months after starting the process, I’ll finally have the lower implants done.
Frankly, it has been a bit frustrating but I suspect once the lower denture is attached to the posts I’ll appreciate them much more.
If interested, total cost for extractions, two full-size implants in the lower jaw, upper, lower dentures - right around $10k before insurance, which didn’t really pay for much.
Is this all-on-four or a permanent bridge? They sound very similar to me but I don’t know if they’re actually the same thing. Or maybe they are the same thing other than how fast you get the fixture?
Like the OP, I too have terrible teeth - due to one of the inherited brittle teeth diseases, fortunately it seems to be one of the mildest types with missing enamel on some (me and maternal grandpa) to all (Mom) baby teeth which need to be surgically removed almost immediately after erupting and then “just” fragile enamel on adult teeth - and I see false teeth of some sort in my future pretty soon too, so I’m also happy to hear people’s experiences with things other than the traditional removable dentures.