Are you ready to get your smile back? If you have multiple missing teeth and need a smile makeover, talk to our experienced Bayside cosmetic dentist—Dr. Nicholas Rallis—about custom tooth replacement solutions that deliver long-lasting results. Dr. Rallis offers several options for missing teeth, including dentures, implant-supported dentures, and All-on-4® dental implants. With the combined expertise of our team of specialists, including our experienced in-house periodontist, Chris Chondrogiannis, DDS, we extend the highest quality of tooth restoration and full mouth rehabilitation for unmatched results. Take a look at some of our before and after photos to see what a difference our tooth replacement procedures can make!
At Center for Smiles, our team includes an array of specialists that work to optimize each component of treatment for the best possible outcome. When executing the implant denture process, we utilize the expertise of Dr. Chris Chondrogiannis—our highly skilled periodontist—as well as a restorative dentist, oral surgeon, and anesthesiologist to ensure every step is performed with the utmost proficiency. In addition, we perform guided implant surgery with the aid of cutting-edge equipment and technology to more accurately observe the location and position of your oral structures. This includes use of advanced cone beam computed tomography to render three-dimensional images of your oral structures, as well as state-of-the-art CAD/CAM software to design and fabricate your prostheses and restorations with unparalleled precision. With these tools, we can more accurately observe, plan, and place your implants. With meticulous coordination between our team, we offer first-rate treatment and continuity of care that can maximize your results.
All-On-4® is an innovative implant denture technique designed for patients who need to replace an entire row of teeth. For many individuals, removable dentures unanchored to the jawbone can slip in and out of place, providing an uncomfortable fit that requires fastening with messy pastes and adhesives. An advanced approach to implant denture treatment, All-On-4® can affix a custom-fabricated prosthesis to the upper and/or lower arches using only four strategically-placed dental implants on each arch. This can allow a complete restoration of the aesthetic beauty of your smile, as well as the full integrity of your bite, for same-day teeth achieved with less time and invasiveness than placing individual dental implants for each missing tooth.
You may not be as concerned about missing teeth in the back of the mouth as opposed to the front for the simple reason that most people will not notice. However, those unfilled tooth roots are still doing damage to the jawbone. Bone loss begins the moment a tooth goes missing and, over time, this can lead to bite problems, orthodontic issues, and even changes to your facial appearance.
We encourage all patients to replace missing teeth as soon as they are able. Dentures offer aesthetic benefits to edentulous (toothless) patients, but we also recommend implant-supported dentures and All-on-4® dental implants for patients who want a more effective and enduring solution to replace missing teeth.
Unlike dentures that sit on the top of the gums, the All-on-4® technique involves placing four dental implants in areas of the mouth with the most bone.
These implants act as a foundation for a fixed prosthesis that we attach to the tops of the implants. The prosthesis is designed to exactly mimic your regular teeth and restores full functioning of the mouth. By anchoring a restoration to the jawbone, many of the inconveniences presented by dentures are addressed. Most patients are able to speak, eat, and drink with more confidence. Plus, the enhanced support usually allows individuals to enjoy tougher foods, as well as a wider range of foods.
All-on-4® offers more stability than traditional dentures that are attached to the gums with pastes or adhesives and, consequently, prone to gum irritation and slippage. This security can also be achieved with a set of dentures affixed by implants using our standard implant-anchored dentures procedure.
While the nature of the procedure will vary for each patient depending on the quality of their bone density, the general protocol for All-On-4® Implant Dentures involves a consultation, during which our cosmetic dentist will perform comprehensive diagnostic tests to evaluate the bone and facial structure. This will help Dr. Rallis determine the best long-term solution for your needs. Following development of your treatment plan, the four implants will be meticulously placed at precise angles in areas with good, quality bone volume. A bone grafting procedure is not usually necessary.
To make the experience more comfortable, Dr. Rallis can utilize sedation dentistry options to induce a relaxed state during treatment. A set of transitional teeth will then be affixed to your mouth until the implants have fused to your jawbone. Many patients can use their current dentures as a temporary prosthesis. This treatment can typically be achieved in one day with no secondary appointment until the implants have fully integrated with your bone structure after a period of several months— once the implants have successfully fused, a more durable and custom-crafted prosthesis can be secured to the implants.
The success rate for All-On-4® Implant Dentures has proven to be very high and patients typically enjoy the ease with which they obtained their high-quality restoration. To further ensure the success of the implants, Dr. Rallis may recommend the All-On-6® technique for individuals requiring additional support for their prosthesis. This process is very similar to the All-On-4® treatment described above, with the distinction being that six implants are utilized rather than the usual four. All-On-6® is generally performed when a patient’s bone quality or density cannot properly accommodate the prosthesis with four implants.
Upper Arch Replacement
All-On-4® can be an exceptional solution to restore your upper arch with a set of fixed replacement teeth. The upper teeth are usually the most exposed part of your smile, making restoration of the top arch particularly valuable. As the bone density in the upper jaw tends to be less dense than the lower jaw, the aforementioned All-On-6® technique is sometimes utilized for the upper arch.
Lower Arch Replacement
As a key component of a strong and healthy bite, complete functionality of the lower teeth achieved with an anchored prosthesis can be vital to enjoying all types of food without difficulty. All-On-4® can provide the security necessary for a natural-looking and fully-functioning lower arch replacement. This restoration can help avoid changes to jaw and facial symmetry (as a result of empty space in the lower teeth), the shifting of surrounding teeth, and gum disease.
Full Mouth Restoration
If necessary, our dentists can perform full mouth reconstruction for an extensive smile transformation. A comprehensive treatment approach, full mouth restoration is designed to replace or repair teeth in the upper and lower arches. Depending on your unique needs, a combination of procedures may be utilized in accordance with the All-On-4® technique, including porcelain veneers or same-day dental crowns. Our experienced dental team will determine the most effective solution for you to renew your smile and allow an excellent final outcome.
The dental implants that anchor your dentures are designed to function like real tooth roots, making it possible for All-on-4® implant dentures to last as long as your natural teeth. Most patients experience great results for 10 to 15 years, and even longer with good oral hygiene. Just like your teeth and gums, dental implants can fail if bacteria accumulation weakens your oral structures, or causes infections and oral diseases. That said, it’s essential to prevent the buildup of cavities and extensive decay in order to maximize the longevity of your implant dentures.
You can clean your implant dentures just as you would your natural teeth—by brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash daily. Semi-annual professional cleanings and oral exams are also key to keeping your implant dentures in good condition. These simple measures are necessary to preserve a healthy smile, but All-on-4® implant dentures do not require any extra maintenance beyond daily oral hygiene.
As a restorative solution designed to replace whole dental arches, the price of All-On-4® will depend on the details of your treatment plan. These determining factors usually include:a
While it is impossible to deduce the cost of treatment without assessing your oral health and unique needs, the range for All-On-4® implant dentures is typically anywhere from $25,000 to $60,000. Once Dr. Rallis has had the chance to evaluate your teeth during a consultation, our office can provide you with a personalized quote. We accept all major payment methods and work with a variety of insurance providers, as well as CareCredit® for individuals who wish to finance their treatment over a period of time.
As with any major dental procedure, the possibility of complication exists. If you are not under the care of a qualified dentist, problems that can arise from dental implants include issues with jawbone integration, adverse reactions to the sedation or anesthesia, or implant failure caused by gum disease. To minimize the likelihood of these potential risks, an All-on-4® dentist should always make certain you are a good candidate for this implant denture technique before pursuing treatment. When All-on-4® is performed under the care of a well-equipped team of dentists, dental implants maintain a success rate of 98 percent.
Dr. Chris Chondrogiannis, our highly experienced periodontist, as well as our in-house anesthesiologist and entire dental team exercise the highest standards of safety when assessing a patient for All-on-4® treatment. Dr. Chondrogiannis evaluates a patient’s teeth, gums, and oral structures in combination with conducting diagnostic testing to help ensure an individual has the appropriate bone volume and oral health to receive All-on-4® implant dentures. In addition, we maximize the long-term outcome of All-on-4® by placing six implants instead of four when necessary to provide a more stable foundation.
If you are looking for permanent tooth replacement options beyond dentures, talk to us about All-on-4® and implant supported dentures. Schedule your consultation today!
