While traditional dentures have been a popular option for those with significant tooth loss over the years, another option has developed in the shape of All-on-4 dental implants in OKC. If you’re navigating missing or failing teeth, book an appointment with our dental professionals today. You’ll receive tailored advice regarding your oral health and potential treatments, and you’ll have a chance to ask questions and fully understand the best route to a brighter smile.
Whether you want to learn about All-on-4 dental implants in Oklahoma City or perhaps another type of restorative treatment, call Reflections Dental Care today at 405-751-4556. Otherwise, hit the ‘Book Appointment’ button at the top of the website and follow the on-screen instructions.
What is All-on-4?
All-on-4 is where a complete set of prosthetic teeth is anchored onto four implants. With a fixed, permanent set of teeth on these implants, you’ll have a replacement that’s not just natural-looking, but also very, very functional.
Generally, the All-on-4 option is ideal for those who aren’t candidates for the traditional denture route because of a gag reflex from putting in traditional removable dentures, large bone deposits called tori that make the wearing of a denture difficult or impossible over time, and/or the need for a stable, non-slipping set of teeth due to a chronic dry mouth.
During treatment, the dental professional will strategically place at least four small implants in the upper and lower jaw – when more than four are used, this is referred to as ‘All-on-X’. Once the implants are in place, we can then affix the new set of teeth to the implants. Since every case is unique, you can talk through the All-on-4 techniques as well as the All-on-4 dental implants cost in Oklahoma by contacting Reflections Dental Care today.
Consultation and Restoration – Two Important Steps
Whether you’re a new or existing patient, the first step for All-on-4 dental implants in Oklahoma City, OK, is a consultation. During this appointment, our main goal is to find out what your goals for treatment are.
- Do you want a 10 out of 10 for function?
- Do you want a 10 out of 10 for cosmetics?
- Do you want a 10 out of 10 for durability?
Do you want a 10 out of 10 for all three – function, cosmetics and durability? Let’s do it!
We can perform a scan of the mouth and head, talk about your dental history, and determine whether you are a candidate for this type of treatment and if we can achieve all of your goals.
During this stage, you can ask any questions you may have. We appreciate that undergoing this sort of dental surgery can lead to nervousness, so get any concerns you may have off your chest and allow our professionals to ease your worries. Before any surgery takes place, we’ll have a surgical plan in mind, and this includes the location of the dental implants and how the prosthetic will look in your mouth when you smile and speak.
If you’re happy to proceed, you can book the surgery in, and you’ll return to the office on this date. Most of our patients choose to experience sedation dentistry and wake up having no memory of the surgery at all. While sedated, we will be following the CBCT guided surgical plan, and we’ll install the implants. Once secure, we’ll attach abutments and place the new arch of teeth. Since sedation is an outpatient surgery, you will need a driver to take you home.
What can you expect after the installation of All-on-4 dental implants in Oklahoma City? After surgery, some discomfort is to be expected, and this is especially true for those who also undergo tooth extraction. Each person recovers at a different rate and with different levels of discomfort specific to them. Normally, this discomfort is less than a week and generally requires no narcotic pain medications. It’s important to follow the aftercare advice of your dental professional to minimize discomfort and prevent problems.
In terms of food, we recommend a very soft dinner for those initial weeks after surgery. Within a short time, you’ll be back to eating more normally. If you have any questions about food or dental care, don’t be afraid to ask during an appointment or contact our friendly team after.
If you have any concerns or pain in the days after surgery, call us immediately. After the surgery, Dr. Schmidt will give you his personal cell phone to use for texting or calling with questions you may have.
Benefits of All-on-4 Dental Implants
If this treatment has been recommended to you, you’ll want to know just why it has grown in popularity. With this in mind, let’s explore some of the benefits of the All-on-4 procedure.
Permanent and Natural-Looking – Nearly all those who have undergone the treatment will tell you their appreciation of the results. As well as being permanent, All-on-4 implants are secure and durable. Feeling like natural teeth, you don’t need to worry about slipping and rubbing causing the need for adhesives, nor do you need to think about taking them out for cleaning.
Simple Installation – Advanced All-on-4 techniques mean that you can often walk away with a happier smile after fewer sessions. Rather than having to book several sessions, the professionals can install four dental implants in a shorter period. As soon as the implant sites have healed, you can have all your final teeth installed simultaneously without injections or numbing. You spend less time undergoing dental appointments, and this is a great relief for anyone who suffers with dental anxiety.
Lead a Normal Life – What most people want from any dental procedure is a normal life, one where they aren’t constantly worrying about what they’re eating or drinking. Thankfully, this is what you get with All-on-4 implants. You’ll still want to avoid hard, sticky foods, as you would with natural teeth, but you can largely enjoy eating and drinking without concern.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Since the procedure is performed under IV or general anesthesia, patients don’t experience pain during the procedure with the modern All-on-4 techniques. You may experience some discomfort after the surgery, but we can provide some aftercare tips to minimize this experience. Also, those with dental anxiety should speak to our team because we’ll do what we can to make the whole experience more comfortable for you.
Reflections Dental Care does not charge any differently whether using four or more implants. In fact, Dr Schmidt prefers to place more than four implants in order to overengineer the foundation for long-term success. Ultimately, there’s no universal answer to this question, however, because it depends on the extent of the treatment you want and/or what is required. For example, All-on-4 dental implants can be part of a wider treatment plan that includes extraction and other steps. Contact our professional team to learn more about the All-on-4 dental implants cost in Oklahoma today.
When you get All-on-4 dental implants in Oklahoma City, you can expect them to last a lifetime. So long as you’re willing to look after them, they can last many decades. While some people may need an eventual replacement, this is normally a result of wear and tear over time rather than specific issues.
Absolutely! All-on-4 implants are designed to replicate the look of natural teeth in detail. The prosthetic teeth are designed to match your face’s proportions and features. Not only will All-on-4 implants look real, but they’ll feel natural, too. You will get to approve the final shape and color of your final set of teeth.
The consensus from those who have undergone All-on-4 dental implants in OKC is that they feel natural. Especially when compared to traditional dentures, they are a vast improvement. Importantly, they reduce irritation and rubbing due to the fact that they’re fixed in place. Once you get used to the feel and placement, you won’t look back.
No, you can’t remove All-on-4 implants. They’re designed differently than dentures in that they are permanent and fixed. Over time, you’ll grow accustomed to how natural they feel, and you’ll forget they aren’t your own teeth.
Your All-on-4 implants can break, but the reason this treatment is so successful in OK is that they are strong and reliable. We also offer a lifetime warranty with our All-on-4 procedures at Reflections Dental Care. With regular maintenance and care, and by avoiding certain foods, your implants will last the test of time.
Yes, we’ll give you a water flosser and super floss, as well as teach you how to use them. Regular hygiene visits will also be required at Reflections Dental Care to allow our hygienists to help you maintain your All-on-4 implants. We joke that cleaning is what you do at home and hygiene therapy is what we do for you at our office, whether this is for your natural teeth or All-on-4 implants.