Adults ages 20 to 64 have an average of 24.92 remaining teeth. Meanwhile, about 3.75% of adults ages 20 to 64 have no remaining teeth. Whether you’re missing two or a few, consider all-on-four dental implants.

Requesting all-on-four dental implants in Knoxville, TN can approve the appearance of your smile. You can start grinning ear to ear with confidence again!

Not sure what the procedure involves? Keep reading to learn more about the all-on-four dental implant procedure. After reading this guide, you can feel more prepared walking into your appointment.

Read on to discover all you need to know about all-on-four dental implants today!

What Are All-on-Four Dental Implants?

Before you start searching for “all-on-4 near me,” let’s answer the question that’s likely on your mind. What are all-on-found dental implants, exactly?

All-on-4 dental implants allow patients to receive a fixed, full-arch prosthesis within a single appointment.

The procedure involves fixed cross-arch dental prostheses. These prostheses are loaded and supported by four dental implants. You’ll need two anterior straight implants and two tilted posterior implants.

These implants create your all-on-four dental appliance.

This procedure is ideal for restoring your smile’s functionality and aesthetics. It’s a cost-effective, convenient treatment for people who are missing teeth.

All-on-Four vs. Other Implants

You can have a dentist surgically place your dental implants into your jaw. They’ll look, function, and feel like your natural teeth. In fact, they’re a great alternative treatment option if you’re struggling with your dentures.

Dentures won’t stimulate your jaw. They’re not a permanent solution, either. All-on-four dental implants are permanent.

You can use them to replace missing or severely damaged teeth.

All-on-four dental implants are different from traditional implants as well. The all-on-four procedure uses only four implants per arch.

Traditional implants, on the other hand, can use between six to eight implants per arch.

With the all-on-four procedure, the implants are placed at an angle. This ensures increased contact by using your bone’s natural support.

The all-on-four procedure won’t require bone grafting, either, which is common with traditional implants.

Instead, you can save time, money, and stress by requesting all-on-four dental implants in Knoxville, TN.

The Pros

Before scheduling an appointment to receive your all-on-four dental implants in Knoxville, TN, it helps to review the pros and cons. The all-on-four dental implant procedure:

Improves your ability to chew
Allows you to eat your favorite foods again
Prevents bone resorption
Restores facial features
Won’t press on your gums (ensuring increased comfort)
Won’t require adhesives
Allows you to brush and floss as you normally would
Is less expensive than other options for replacing multiple teeth
Is convenient for patients who don’t have the bone density to support a single implant restoration

The procedure can also improve your quality of life. Meanwhile, restoring the appearance of your smile can also boost your self-esteem.

You can replace an entire set of missing teeth in one day with only a single procedure. Meanwhile, your implants will remain secure within your mouth. They won’t become loose or shift the way dentures tend to.

The all-on-four dental implant procedure is ideal for patients of any age who have lost teeth.

The Cons

There are a few drawbacks you might want to consider before receiving your all-on-four dental implants in Knoxville, TN.

For example, you’ll need to have a high level of bone available to ensure the implants remain in place. You won’t have a chance to test how the teeth look or feel before the procedure, either.

You also can’t place implants in the mouth’s molar area, where you have the greatest bite force.

Take the time to schedule an appointment with your oral surgeon before requesting this procedure. They’ll make sure you’re an ideal candidate. They can also help you determine if this is the best procedure for accomplishing your goals.

How Long Do They Last?

Your all-on-four dental implants can offer a permanent dental solution if you’re missing teeth. The implants should last around 20 years or more with proper care.

The long-term success rate after 10 years is over 94%.

Recovery

With traditional implants, you might require as long as eight months to recover from the procedure. With all-on-four dental implants, however, you should recover much sooner. You can schedule an appointment with your oral surgeon to determine a more specific recovery period.

It’s important to rest during the recovery process. Resting will ensure the gum tissue and jawbone heal.

Try to avoid participating in strenuous physical activity in the meantime. You can talk to your dentist or oral surgeon to determine what’s safe.

During your recovery period, you’ll also need to adjust your diet. Try to stick with soft foods and liquids to avoid unnecessary chewing. For example, you can eat:

Mashed potatoes
Yogurt
Cottage cheese
Oatmeal
Smoothies
Eggs

Avoid any crispy, crunchy, or chewy foods. These foods can cause small particles to get trapped between your teeth.

Make sure to avoid sipping through a straw during your recovery period, too. Otherwise, suction could harm the incision sites.

It’s normal to experience some bruising, bleeding, or swelling in the days after your procedure. Let your surgeon know if these symptoms persist after a week. If the symptoms worsen, it could indicate implant issues.

Try applying an ice pack to the side of your face to ease swelling. Remain patient while the surgical site heals, too.

In the meantime, make sure to keep up with your oral hygiene routine. Brush and floss twice a day.

Otherwise, make sure to schedule follow-up visits with your dentist and oral surgeon. They’ll closely monitor how you’re healing.

To avoid complications, avoid using tobacco products. Avoid bad oral habits as well. These can include chewing on hard candies or ice.