Problems with “All-on-4” Implants

The risks and problems with All-on-4 dental implants can worry anyone considering implants. Because this type of dental implant procedure is growing in popularity, we’re seeing an increasing number of “problems” arise. Yet, like any medical procedure, there are risks that all patients should fully understand before taking on this procedure. And, a solid dentist provides you with the information you need to make the best decision for you.

To be clear, done well, All-on-4 is a safe procedure. For many people, its life-changing. Nevertheless, you need to know what to expect. When you visit our Houston, Texas location, we’ll provide you with everything you need to know about All-on-4 and dental implants in general.

Risks Associated with All-on-4 Dental Implants

If you’ve heard about All-on-4 dental implants, you may be considering what they are and how they can work for you. Could they help you solve your damaged, missing, or problem teeth for good?

First – What Is All-on-4?

Before diving into the risks of these dental implants, consider what All-on-4 actually is. The term refers to a specific type of dental implant that replaces the full arch of teeth in a single procedure. This procedure is done at one time and can comprehensively restore your smile during that time. During the procedure, dentists removal l of your teeth in this area and then apply a full mouth bridge. It’s possible to do either the top or the bottom, though some patients may be able to do both sets of teeth at one time.

All-on-4 implants are one option. All on 6 dental implants also exist (and sometimes more can be replaced as well). In all situations, the number relates to the number of implants put in during the procedure. Most often, All-on-4 doesn’t require any type of bone grafting and can be an overall fast procedure.

Why Choose All-on-4 Dental Implants?

Whenever possible, dentists want to restore your teeth to the best possible level of health. However, there are situations when traditional repairs aren’t possible. When it’s time to replace your teeth, these types of dental implants offer a number of key benefits. Those benefits include:

• Fewer implants are installed, reducing the overall cost of implants.
• It’s done in a single procedure (which also means less pain for you).
• It’s less invasive, minimizing the amount of downtime you have.
• It’s less likely you’ll need a bone graft, a procedure that’s more invasive.
• They are both natural-looking and long-lasting.

With these benefits, it definitely can seem to be a good option for you. For many people, it is. Yet, there are some risks that can hold you back if you don’t know about them going into the procedure or your dentist makes critical mistakes in the process.

What Are the Risks of All-on-4 Dental Implants, Then?

Many patients have a high rate of success with All-on-4 – and that’s a good thing. However, the following are some key concerns you may experience.

Anesthesia-Associated Risks

The type of anesthesia used depends on the dentist’s office as well as the patient’s unique needs. There are several options available such as mild anesthesia, which can work well for those who are less nervous about the procedure. Some people may want to be asleep during the procedure. If this is the case, having a trusted anesthetist available to help you is critical. A middle-of-the-road twilight level is also available.

When choosing, dentists and patients need to consider:

• What is the least amount of anesthesia possible to use to keep the patient comfortable? (The less you use, the faster your recovery is)
• Does the patient have any pre-existing medical conditions that can make one form less desirable than another?
• What type of experiences has the patient had with anesthesia in the past?

Anesthesia problems are rare and not likely to happen as long as patients and dentists are on the same page about the care necessary and available.

Implant Failure

There is a risk that All-on-4 dental implants can fail. This happens in about 5 percent of patients. It occurs when the implants do not fuse with the bone. It’s not always clear why this happens, which can mean it’s frustrating for all involved. Most of the time, this can be resolved with a new implant.

Reducing this risk is hard to do since dentist’s, and researchers don’t always know why one implant fails, and others do not. However, if the patient follows all care instructions before and after the dental implants procedure, it’s less likely to occur. This means maintaining good oral hygiene, eating soft foods, and avoiding smoking.

The Risk of Infection

Any type of surgery carries a risk of infection. Good dentists do everything necessary to minimize this risk. However, infections do occur for various reasons. One of the most common results is the existence of peri-implantitis, a type of infection.

Getting fast help for this is critical. Knowing the signs, like the following, is a good way to get the help you need:

• The dental implants are loose or wobbly
• Bad breath
• A bad taste in the mouth
• Gums that are puffy, red, and inflamed around the dental implants
• Pus exists in the gums
• Fever
• Excessive bleeding while brushing

You can also reduce risks by following the steps your dentist gives you to care for your new dental implants after the procedure. That includes not drinking alcohol, not smoking, and following the specific oral hygiene steps provided to you. This can cut down on the risk of infections more so than anything else you can do.

Additional Potential Risks

If you want the latest and most up to date list of risks, read the consent form (before you sign it) to ensure you are fully aware of what could happen. If it is listed here, it is because this has happened to someone else in the past. When getting All-on-4 dental implants, you want a dentist that showcases these risks, rather than hides or minimizes them. Awareness is a big factor.

Here are some of the dental implant risks associated with All-on-4 that you’ll see on that list:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Discoloration
• Numbness in the lip, chin, cheek, or tongue
• Changes in feeling near the teeth
• Inflammation of the vein
• Bone fractures

In addition to this, there are other risks that could occur. For example, if you are allergic to the medications that are used, you can expect that to be a big concern during the procedure – especially if it is unknown.

Some people may experience a delay in healing, as well. This could be due to an underlying health problem or to a reaction to the medications used. Again, this is not likely to occur but does impact some people.

Rare, but still possible risks may also include:

• Gum tissue inflammation
• Infections of the gums
• Loss of bone
• Temporomandibular joint problems (your jawbone)
• Headaches
• Pain in the neck or face
• Muscles in the jaw that become weak or tired

Most often, your dentist can take steps to avoid most of this from occurring, such as getting your full medical record and gaining insight into any possible allergies you have. All-on-4 is a safe procedure for most people.

Choosing an Inexperienced Implant Dentist

Here’s a critical decision to make for yourself. You are not looking for a dentist that offers All-on-4 dental implants. You are looking for a dentist that specializes in these dental implants and has a significant level of experience with them. You don’t want to buy this service or “brand,” but you want to invest in a well-trained and experienced dentist who offers it.

There are some dentists that work solely under the All-on-4 brand. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it does mean they may not have as much experience as other dentists have. They are using the brand name itself to help bring in some business to their practice. Again, there’s nothing wrong with someone that is new, but experience is so important with All-on-4 dental implants.

Why Omega Dental Specialist Is the Right Choice

To minimize dental implant risks, you need a team that specializes in them, does the procedures as a routine process and is willing to provide each patient with the insight and information they need to make informed decisions. When you choose Omega Dental Specialist for your care in Houston, Texas, you can be confident that we have the team of professionals you need for this type of care.

When you choose our team for dental implants, you benefit from:

• An experienced dentist with incredible experience in All-on-4
• An office dedicated to your comfort and best possible care from start to finish
• Ongoing help for any type of dental problems you have
• A team that’s here to answer every question
• Financing options to make it possible for you to get the smile you desire

You have options – but finding a truly experienced specialist is your most important task.

How to Minimize the All-on-4 Dental Implants Risks

You may know you want this type of procedure to improve your oral health and smile. Yet, you also want to avoid these risks. What can you do? These steps can help you get the best possible results:

• Choose a dentist that offers All-on-4 as a specialized service, one that they perform on a routine basis.
• Be upfront and thorough with your dentist about all types of medical concerns you have or had in the past.
• Follow all care instructions provided include pre- and post-care.
• Ask your dentist about all types of rare occurrences that have happened to them and find out why.
• Discuss, with your dentist, what you can do to avoid these risks.

Dental professionals who are committed to the best outcome for you are happy to talk to you about these risks. They want you to know them, and they want to ease your worries. At the same time, they should never promise you results or guarantee them. That’s just not possible with medical procedures like this.

You can also ask your dentist for before and after photos and examples of the work they’ve done. In some cases, you may even be able to speak to another patient that’s had them installed at this location.

Importance of a Pre-Treatment Evaluation

Before agreeing to or even deciding on All-on-4 dental implants, your first step is to come in to have a full evaluation. This is a very good time to talk about your health and any concerns you have. It is also when your dentist is going to talk about all of these risks, what the procedure is like, and a timeline for completing it.

Your pre-treatment evaluation is a complete and thorough dental exam. Depending on the previous dental care you’ve had, it may also include x-rays. If there are any oral health problems present, such as gum disease, that may need to be treated first before more invasive procedures like All-on-4 can occur. Your dentist will consider your:

• Overall oral health
• Your dental bone health
• Your overall physical health

The more information your dentist has going into this procedure, the fewer these risks are likely to impact you. A good dentist wants to gather this type of insight to support you on your path towards restoring or improving your dental health.

For Dental Implants, Allow Our Team to Provide Exceptional Help

If you are considering any type of dental implants, such as an alternative to Clear Choice,  it’s essential to work with a trusted dentist with ample experience. We can help you. With a highly experienced dentist, you can get the best possible outcome for your implant procedure. We make the entire process as safe as possible for you.

Ask us about our financing options. Let us know what concerns you have. We’re happy to answer all of your questions. At Omega Dental Specialists in Houston, Texas, we’re here to help you. Call our team today and request a free consultation for All-on-4 dental implants. Let’s take a closer look at how to improve your smile.