Although many people cope with removable dentures, some don't find it easy to adapt to having this kind of false teeth. If your dentures stop fitting as well as they originally did over time, you may feel like you're fighting a losing battle just to keep them in your mouth. This may make you self-conscious and worried about people seeing your false teeth slip and move.
If you currently have dentures and aren't happy with them or are considering getting them for the first time, you may want to consider All-on-4 implants as an alternative to removable dentures.
How Implants Work
Regular implants typically replace individual teeth. During implant treatment a metal post is inserted into your gum bone; after some time, the bone grows around the post holding it firmly into place so that a false tooth can be attached to it.
How All-on-4 Implants Work
All-on-4 Implants work like regular implants but can hold multiple teeth on each post. Typically, these kinds of multiple implants need only four posts to hold all the teeth on an arch. If you opt for a full set of teeth, you would have just eight posts, four to hold your top teeth and four to hold your bottom teeth.
Are All-on-4 Implants a Good Alternative to Dentures?
These implants give you the option of having fixed false teeth rather than removable ones. You may also feel that an implant solution looks more natural, is more comfortable in the mouth and makes you feel more confident as you don't have to worry about your dentures slipping or falling out of place. Also, you aren't likely to have problems eating certain foods and won't have to adapt the way you talk to accommodate your dental plates.
A full implant may not suit every individual, however. Dental implants rely on there being enough bone to hold a post and, although All-on-4 implants can work on a lower bone density than regular implants, according to Dental Guide Australia, they may not work if you have certain types of density problems. Your dentist may also recommend against implants if you smoke or have certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, both of which may compromise implant procedures.
Tip: Before you make a decision on whether to go for a full mouth implant solution, you should consider the costs as well as the benefits. According to Dental Guide Australia, a full treatment typically costs between $20,000–30,000. The maximum average cost of dentures, according to the Health Network, is $2,500. If you're considering a more expensive implant route, your dentist may offer a payment plan so you can pay in stages to spread the cost.
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