All-on-4® Implants
All-on-4® implants are a type of dental implant used to replace all missing teeth in the upper or lower jaw. Many patients prefer All-on-4 to dentures or other types of implants because they stay securely in place without adhesive and can be cared for like natural teeth.
Dr. Ian Fontenot has extensive experience with All-on-4 implants and can handle the entire procedure without referring you to an outside specialist. For your convenience, we offer All-on-4 at our Scott and Carencro, LA, dental offices.
How Do All-on-4 Implants Work?
This innovative dental procedure involves placing four titanium implants in the jawbone. The implants heal and become anchors that hold a full arch of artificial teeth in place. All-on-4 implants are a permanent, secure, natural-looking solution for missing teeth.
The best candidates have good oral health and enough bone in their jaws to support the implants.
What Are the Benefits of All-on-4 Implants?
We recommend All-on-4 implants because they offer numerous benefits:
- Allow you to get a full set of replacement teeth in just one or two visits
- Restore your ability to eat, speak, and chew without worrying about dentures slipping or falling out.
- Look and feel natural, so no one can tell you have dentures.
- Preserve the jawbone, which prevents bone loss and gum recession and maintains oral health.
What’s the Process for Getting All-on-4 Implants?
The process for getting All-on-4 implants involves several steps.
Initial Evaluation
During your initial consultation with Dr. Fontenot, he carefully explains what’s involved with the process and thoroughly answers all your questions. Choosing All-on-4 implants is a big decision, and we want you to feel fully confident and aware of what’s involved.
To determine if you're a good candidate, Dr. Fontenot performs a comprehensive evaluation that may include x-rays and 3-D cone beam scans. Our team also requests your medical history and list of current medications to determine your suitability for implant surgery.
Implant Surgery & Recovery
Because your comfort is crucial, we offer sedation dentistry, including nitrous oxide and oral and IV sedation. Dr. Fontenot extracts any remaining teeth during implant surgery and then places four implants at strategic points in your jawbone. The final step is to attach your temporary denture to the implants.
Post-surgery recovery times differ for each patient. Plan surgery before the weekend, if possible, so you have a few days to rest and recover. Using cold compresses helps reduce swelling, and we may also prescribe medications to relieve pain and prevent infection.
Be sure to follow postoperative instructions closely, as they are meant to help with healing and prevent complications.
Implant Healing and Osseointegration
It takes 3–6 months for your implants to heal and for osseointegration to occur. Bone and tissue in the jaw integrate with the implants and become a stable and secure part of your dental anatomy.
Your temporary dentures are not meant for biting or chewing hard or crunchy foods. For this reason, we recommend a soft-food diet for the first few months after implant placement and avoid placing too much force on the implants as they heal.
After healing, Dr. Fontenot will replace the temporary dentures with final dentures that have been custom-crafted for your smile.
Are You a Candidate for All-on-4 Dental Implants?
We love helping patients discover the benefits of All-on-4 and how easy it is to regain their smile, oral health, and confidence. Please contact Fontenot Family Dentistry at our Scott or Carencro dental office to schedule an appointment to learn more.
