All-on-4 Dental Implants vs All-on-6 Dental Implants

All-on-4 and All-on-6 are popular treatment options for patients missing most or all their teeth. Unlike traditional implants, which use one titanium post to secure one individual tooth, All-on-4 and All-on-6 replace all the teeth on the top or bottom of your mouth using only four or six strategically placed titanium posts.

There are numerous reasons why All-on-4 and All-on-6 are such popular treatment options, but one of the biggest is that it provides a permanent solution and restores the look and feel of your natural smile. Additional benefits of All-on-4 and All-on-6 include:

• Improved stability
• Stops and prevents deterioration of jawbone
• No adhesives necessary
• May eliminate need for bone graft
• Improved aesthetic appearance
• Works on both lower and upper jaw

If you are missing most or all of your teeth and have been considering All-on-4 or All-on-6, schedule an appointment with your periodontist who can answer any questions you may have and determine if you are a viable candidate for the procedure, and if so, whether All-on-4 or All-on-6 is the best treatment option for you.

Similarities and Differences of All-on-4 and All-on-6

The biggest difference between All-on-4 and All-on 6 dental implants can be found right in the name: All-on-4 restores your full smile using four strategically placed implants into your jawbone, and All-on-6 does this same thing using six implants. Whether All-on-4 or All-on-6 is right for you will largely depend on the severity of your case, in addition to the procedural preference of your clinic. There is also the matter of cost. Although there will not be a tremendous difference between getting All-on-4 vs All-on-6, the All-on-6 implant procedure will be slightly more expensive, due to two additional implants being used; however this may mean you have improved implant stability. While four implants may be sufficient in providing you with the stability you need, it may be worth spending a little extra to ensure you get the results you want.

The steps involved in placement of All-on-4 and All-on-6 are very similar. The procedure will begin with administration of a local anesthetic and dental sedation, if necessary. Once you are numbed, your periodontist will place either four or six implants into your jawbone and insert your temporary denture. After your implants have had enough time to integrate with your jawbone (this usually takes around 3-6 months) you will return to the clinic and your final dentures will be put in place, after which the All-on-4 or All-on-6 process will be complete!

How Will My Periodontist Decide Which One is Right for Me?

To determine whether All-on-4 or All-on-6 is the right treatment option for you, it will be necessary to schedule an initial appointment, during which your periodontist will perform a thorough examination, which will include diagnostic exams, a review your oral and medical history, and a discussion of your treatment goals. With this information, they will be able to tell you whether All-on-4 or All-on-6 is the best option for you.

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