Welcome to the fourth and final installment of this four-part article series on how the “breakthrough” All-on-4 dental implants technique can save patients tens of thousands of dollars on the cost of getting new upper and/or lower teeth. In Part 1, 2 and 3, general dentistry practitioners in Silver Spring explained the following:
1. The All-on-4 protocol only requires four implants for fixed oral rehabilitation instead of 10, as is the case with traditional implant techniques.
2. The All-on-4 procedure can, in most cases, be completed in a single surgery, as opposed to multiple surgeries spread out over the course of up to 18 months.
3. The All-on-4 is estimated to save patients an average of $20,000 and, for more complex cases, $45,000 on the cost of fixed oral rehabilitation.
We ended off last time talking to a dentist in Silver Spring about bone grafting and how, by avoiding the need for it, the All-on-4 is able to save patients the expense involved in this additional procedure. We just have a few questions left before we wrap this four-part article series up.
How exactly does the All-on-4 avoid the need for bone grafting?
Answer: “Using sophisticated treatment planning and visualization software, we are able to plan surgeries in great detail before the patient even comes in for his or her procedure,” explains a general dentistry practitioner in Silver Spring. “We use this technology to plan the best possible placement array of dental implants in order to provide maximum support for the prosthetic dental bridge, while at the same time avoiding the need for bone grafting.”
“In most cases, we are able to achieve this by strategically placing the dental implants in regions of the mouth that naturally contain a greater volume of atrophy-resistant bone tissue. This enables us to provide patients with new teeth, without the expensive and painful experience of having to go through bone grafting.”
Are there cases that bone loss has become too advanced for you to treat using the “All-on-4”?
Answer: “Unfortunately, yes, there have been a few patients who have had to go a slightly longer route to fixed oral rehabilitation because their jawbone health is so deteriorated,” says the dentist in Silver Spring. “This is why we encourage patients not to choose removable dentures when considering teeth replacement. In addition to being bulky, uncomfortable, a hassle to look after and functionally inferior, dentures allow the jawbone to atrophy and waste away. This loss of bone volume is permanent and can’t be reversed… it can only be treated with bone grafting, which is a very invasive procedure that requires many months of healing before the jaw has healed enough to receive implants.”
Last, but certainly not least, is there any assistance to be found for patients who would like to have the All on 4 done, but don’t have the cash upfront to pay for it?
Answer: “Absolutely! Most general dentistry practices in Silver Spring have a member of staff whose duty it is to help patients to understand and get the most out of their medical aid. We also work closely with many medical financing companies, which offer tailor made payment plans to suit patients of all financial means. Simply speak to your dentist about finding financial assistance for your procedure and he or she will be more than happy to help you find it.”
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