When you need to have all of your teeth replaced, it can be a bit daunting but there are a number of great treatment options available thanks to advances in dental technology and techniques. All-on-4 dental implants are one of the most popular options. This is a permanent denture fixed onto 4 or more dental implants.
A dental implant is a titanium screw that is surgically placed directly into the jawbone with a small portion left protruding beyond the gum tissue. Dental implants can support multiple teeth and are one of the best treatment options available for replacing missing teeth and have the added benefit of supporting bone health.
The implant prosthesis can be a single crown, an implant bridge, or a full implant denture. Unlike a traditional denture, implant supported dental processes do not require a pink acrylic base that sits over the gum tissue. Implant supported restorations are screwed down onto the implants and sit flush against the patient’s gum tissue.
Other treatment options include a removable implant denture, fixed bridges, and of course, a full denture. In this section, we will review alternatives to teeth in a day but first, let’s take a closer look at what exactly are “teeth in a day”.
Teeth in a Day
Another name for teeth in a day is all-on-four or a fixed-detachable denture. This type of dental prosthesis is screwed directly into 4 to 8 implants and cannot be removed by the patient, only by a dentist. They are often referred to as “teeth in a day” because a temporary denture is fixed onto the implant the same day that the implants are placed.
Removable Implant Denture
This restoration is basically the same as all-on-4 except that it can be removed by the patient. A removable implant denture snaps down onto the implants instead of being screwed on, making oral hygiene and denture care much simpler.
Fixed Bridge
A fixed bridge is a three or four tooth bridge that is screwed onto the implants. One option is to have multiple bridges that fit together to complete a full arch of implant-supported teeth which can be beneficial if a repair is ever needed, just one bridge can be removed and repaired instead of the entire arch.
Traditional Denture
A traditional denture is no one's favorite option but it may be necessary for patients who have financial restrictions or are not healthy enough to endure implant placement surgery. Traditional dentures have come a long way and are much more comfortable and natural-looking than dentures of the past!
It is important to understand all of your options if you need to have your teeth replaced. If you are interested in an implant-supported restoration, your dentist will refer you to a specialist for further evaluation. If you are overall healthy and have sufficient bonus structure, you may be a great candidate for dental implants and teeth in a day.