How do you know if All on Four Implants are Right for You?

Continuing with our series of articles on All on Four implants, in this one, we will present in detail certain aspects to keep in mind when researching if this technique is suitable for you. Given that this dental implant technology does not come cheap, at Woodshore Family Dentistry, we understand most candidates who are thinking about having this procedure performed do extensive research even before their first visit to a surgical dentist who performs this type of surgery. We think that’s a great idea.

How will my dentist know if All on Four Implants are right for me?

Before finding out for sure whether you are a candidate for All on Four implants and deciding whether this surgical technique is correct for you, it is standard procedure for your dental surgeon to perform the following:

1. A visual inspection of your dental set.
2. A suitability questionnaire to inquire about your overall health.
3. Some non-invasive tests and measurements.
4. A preliminary surgical plan.
5. A preliminary budget.

Visual inspection

An experienced dental surgeon can identify your overall level of dental health just by visually inspecting inside your mouth. Furthermore, a visual inspection can aid in spotting problems that need to be addressed before an All on Four implant procedure, whether these issues are related to teeth, gums, cheeks, or bones. The more trained the eye, the better diagnosis will come out of the visual inspection.

Suitability Questionnaire / Health Evaluation

As with all surgical procedures, All in Four implant surgeries carry risks. So, before proceeding with a surgical or invasive procedure, any appropriately qualified dentist will perform a health evaluation on the prospective patient.

First, you should know that several health conditions will make your surgical dentist think twice about proceeding with ANY surgery or dental work. That does not mean you are not a suitable candidate for either, but certain precautions will be in order depending on your health. So do be completely honest and let your doctor know if you have (or have had) any of the following medical conditions:

• Bone diseases or disorders (for example, brittle bones syndrome[1], Paget’s disease of bone, osteoporosis, osteomalacia, among others).
• Immunological diseases or disorders (for example, Lupus, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, among others).
• Blood diseases or disorders (for example, Aplastic Anemia, Hemochromatosis, Hypercoagulable Disorder, Thrombocytopenia, among others).
• Active Cancer of any type.
• If you suffer from Diabetes Type I or Type II.
• Clinical AIDS.
• Severe cardiac insufficiency (for example, cardiomyopathy) or if you have had a recent heart infarct.
• If you are under Immunosuppressant treatment or if you’re awaiting an organ transplant.
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Also, you will have to let your dental surgeon know any of the following conditions:

• If you are currently undergoing radiotherapy.
• If you have at any time in your lifespan undergone radiotherapy.
• If you are now taking or have ever taken bisphosphonate drugs for osteoporosis or any form of Cancer.

Non-Invasive Tests and Measurements

Once the doctor decides that your overall health is such that an All in Four implants would not present risks above and beyond normal risk levels, they will proceed to perform a non-invasive scan of your mouth (many times referred to as “panoramic scans”). 

Panoramic X-rays and CT scans offer a view that would otherwise be invisible to the naked eye. As you know by now, X-rays expose hidden structures, such as wisdom teeth, reveal preliminary signs of cavities, and also show fractures and bone loss. Panoramic X-rays and CT scans are extraoral and simple to perform. Usually, dental X-rays involve the film being placed inside the mouth, but panoramic film is hidden inside a mechanism that rotates around the outside of the head.

A preliminary surgical plan and budget

Once the dental surgeon has told you it is OK for you to have an All on Four implant, and you have decided it is the way to go, the surgeon will prepare a surgical plan and budget to review with you. 

Visit an All on Four Specialist

If you have experienced severe teeth loss and are looking to solve this issue, the All on Four dental implants are an excellent option for you. How to know if they are right for you? After doing your research, visit a dental surgeon at Woodshore Family Dentistry to let them guide you in deciding whether to proceed with this treatment and what would be the best approach.

 At Woodshore Family Dentistry, we believe in staying current with technical changes. Woodshore Family Dentistry has experienced dentists that can help you solve your missing teeth-related issues. Do you have any questions about All on Four Implants? Call Woodshore Family Dentistry to schedule an appointment with a dentist.

Your blog post "Woodshore Family Dentistry is privately owned by Dr. Vishal Pattni and Dr. Saumeen Desai. Both doctors have extensive experience in improving and customizing smiles. Please call the office at 979-341-9890 for a free consultation and smile evaluation." 

[1] Also known as Osteogenesis Imperfecta.