The Complete All On Four Implants Procedure: Your Initial Consultation, Part 1

By Author: Derrick Ashley
Total Articles: 130
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All On Four implants, also known as the “All on 4”, have been described as the standard of care for Houston patients who have a failing dentition or who have already lost most or all of their original adult teeth. Periodontal (gum) disease is a prevalent problem in the United States and one that claims the lives of literally millions of teeth every year. Removable partial and full dentures have long been the solution to edentulism (the state of not having any teeth left) and near-edentulism. Thankfully, however, the All on Four offers patients a far more sophisticated, comprehensive and long-term solution to their oral problems without any of the daily challenges and repeat expenses!
So, what are All on Four implants and what can patients expect on their journey from toothless to toothy? In this three-part article series, we shall provide a detailed explanation of the procedure patients undergo when they have new teeth placed with the All on Four dental implant protocol. We’ll begin with your initial consultation in Part 1, followed by the surgery itself in Part 2 and finally post-operative care and healing ...
... in Part 3.
All on Four Implant Procedure, Step # 1: Your Initial Consultation
The first step of your journey to getting new, beautiful and non-removable teeth begins with your first consultation with a Houston dentures or dental implant specialist. You’ll meet with the specialist first so that he or she can perform a thorough assessment of your oral problems and use this assessment to create a treatment plan that is customized to address your very specific and unique needs. During your initial consultation, you can expect the following:
You’ll sit down with the specialist and discuss your problems in detail. You can relate your history of tooth loss and what it is you hope to achieve by undergoing this procedure.
You will provide your surgeon with a detailed medical history so that provision can be made for any potentially complicating medical conditions, such as diabetes, periodontal disease or blood clotting disorders.
Your specialist will perform a thorough clinical oral examination of your teeth and gums. He or she will be looking for signs of disease that will need to be treated before you get your new teeth placed. Jawbone volume will also be noted.
You will have Cone Beam CT scans (3-D X-ray) taken of your jaw so that your specialist can view its structure and volume, as well as the orientation of any remaining dentition from an uncompromised perspective. The All on Four implants specialist will use these images together with sophisticated computer imaging software to generate a surgical treatment plan for you.
Molds will be taken of your mouth so that the prosthodontist or implant dentist can custom fabricate a new set of teeth for you.
Last but not least, you will have the chance to discuss any of your fears or concerns with the Houston dentures specialist, no matter how big or small; warranted or unwarranted. If you would like to be sedated before your surgery, mention this to the specialist and he or she will provide you with mild oral sedative medication to help calm your nerves. It will also be explained what it is you need to do to prepare yourself for surgery.
A date for the procedure will be set!
Stay Tuned for Part 2
After your initial consultation, you’ll return home to wait out the days or possibly weeks before you return to the All On Four Implants Center to have your new teeth placed! Stay tuned for Part 2 to find out what this procedure entails.