All-on-4® Dental Implants for Bone Atrophy
When adult tooth loss occurs, there is no better replacement option than dental implants. Dental implants are surgically placed in the jaw where they act as artificial tooth roots and anchors for dental restorations. Unfortunately, not all people are candidates for dental implants, and that is often due to bone atrophy.
Individuals in Los Algodones, Mexico, and Mexicali, who are not well-suited to traditional implants may be ideal candidates for All-on-4® dental implants, as offered by Dr. Jose Valenzuela. All-on-4 implants support a full arch of dentures with just four dental implants. When placing All-on-4 dental implants, bone atrophy is often not a concern; during the procedure implants are strategically placed to take advantage of existing bone tissues.
Bone Atrophy and Traditional Dental Implants
Bone atrophy, which is a deterioration of the bone tissues, is a common side effect of tooth loss. Each tooth has a root system that stimulates the tissues of the jawbone every time a person bites or chews. When a tooth is lost, its roots are lost as well, so the tissues below the area of tooth loss no longer get the stimulation needed to encourage the continual growth of healthy bone tissues. Over time, bone atrophy will occur.
Bone atrophy has a big impact on candidacy for traditional dental implants. For dental implant treatment to be a success, the implants must fuse with existing bone tissues. This process, which is called osseointegration, cannot occur if there is not significant bone tissue to grow around the implant. Because of this, patients with moderate to advanced bone atrophy are often unable to undergo traditional dental implant treatment unless they are willing to receive a bone graft prior to their implant procedure.
All-on-4 Implants and Bone Atrophy
During traditional dental implant treatment, a patient generally requires a single dental implant for each tooth that is lost. For instance, someone who has lost six teeth will require six dental implants. All-on-4 dental implants are unique in that a set of four dental implants is used to support a full arch of permanent dentures. All-on-4 implants are able to support a full set of dentures because the implants are strategically placed in the jaw, and they are placed at a slight angle, so that Dr. Valenzuela can take full advantage of the patient’s existing bone tissue.
Because All-on-4 implants require fewer implants, and because they are placed in a way that optimizes bone tissues, bone atrophy often does not impact candidacy for All-on-4 treatment. Even if a patient has lost some bone tissue following tooth loss, they should maintain enough healthy tissues to support the placement of All-on-4 dental implants.
Benefits of All-on-4 Dental Implants
In addition to being a good treatment option for those of our Los Algodones patients who have suffered from bone atrophy, All-on-4 dental implants offer a number of other benefits. All-on-4 implants:
- Cost less than traditional dental implant treatment
- Require a shorter surgical procedure
- Often results in less severe side effects
- Require a shorter recovery time
- Are less invasive than traditional dental implants
Get In Touch
If you have experienced substantial tooth loss and have been told you are a poor candidate for traditional dental implants, we invite you to learn more about All-on-4 dental implants. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Jose Valenzuela, contact our dental practice online or call (928) 792-2156 at your earliest convenience.
