Skip to main content
Category

All-on-4 Dental Implants

If my All on 4 implants are healed, can I smoke every now and then?

By All-on-4 Dental Implants, Dental Implant Failure, Dental Implants

I got All on 4 implants in January 2015. Before I got the implants my surgeon told me that I had to quit smoking, so I did quit. I wanted to implants to heal correctly and I just found out 2 weeks ago that they are completely healed and everything is fine. I have actually enjoyed the benefits of not smoking. I feel healthier and my skin looks better. Part of my smoking though, was for social reasons. I still hang out with the same guys. After a few rounds of golf we get a few drinks and smoke cigars. I have been tempted to smoke a few times lately. Now that the implants are healed can I smoke every now and then with minimal risk? Thanks. David C.

David – Any smoking, whether it’s long- or short-term, can increase the risk of dental implant failure—even if the implants have already healed.

Smoking poses a risk for dental implants becauseit can cause gum irritation and inflammation. The inflammation promotes periodontal, or gum, disease. If these problems occur around the dental implants, it can cause an infection and implant failure.

Blood flow is also restricted when you smoke. Sufficient blood flow is needed for healthy gums and jawbone. Healthy gums and jawbone are essential for the longevity of All-On-4 dental implants.

It is possible that you can smoke during social occasions and maintain healthy gums, but is it worth the risk? There is no way of determining when or how your gums will be affected by smoking. Smoking socially increases the risk of completely returning to the habit.

We advise that you remain a non-smoker. Your oral health and the longevity of your dental implants will only benefit from it.

This post is sponsored by Naperville implant dentist Dr. Anthony LaVacca.

Will smoking prevent me from getting All on 4 implants?

By All-on-4 Dental Implants, Dentures

I am so tired of my dentures. I want All On 4 but I smoke. I have tried to quit several times but it isn’t working. I don’t think that I will ever be able to stop. My dentures are stressful for me because I have been wearing dentures for 15 years. They slip more times in a day than I can count. Is there any way possible for me to get All On 4 even though I smoke? Jamison

Jamison,

Much of the success of dental implants, including All-On-4 implants depends on the healing process. Your jawbone must fuse to the implants for them to function properly and to support your dentures.

Smoking inhibits the healing process overall—not just for dental implants. It also affects your oral health. The healing process will be slower, or the fusion of your jawbone to the implant may not occur at all. There is also an increased risk of implant infection when you smoke. One study showed that of 165 participants showed that 16% of smokers experienced implant failure, compared with a 1% failure rate for non-smokers.

Although we can’t say that your implants will definitely fail or succeed, if you stop smoking before you receive them, the success rate will increase. It is also important not to smoke after implant surgery. Some dentist won’t complete the All-On-4 procedure unless a patient has stopped smoking.

Speak with your primary care doctor about your desire to stop smoking. He or she can provide you with resources and option that you may not have considered before.

As time progresses and your jawbone continues to shrink, it will become even more difficult to eat and speak with dentures. If you are a candidate for All-On-4, or some other dental implant treatment, now is a good time to pursue your options.

This post is sponsored by board-certified prosthodontist Dr. Anthony LaVacca.

 

Disappointed With Prosthodontist’s Reaction to a Broken All on 4 Implant

By All-on-4 Dental Implants, Prosthodontist

I knew I wanted implants for my dentures and I decided to get 6 regular implants. After listening to my dentist over and over again talk about All on 4, I gave in. I got All on 4 in Feb. 2015 and 2 weeks ago when I was eating I heard an felt one of the implants snap. Now I am told that the implant will need to be replaced. The old one will have be taken off and I can’t get a new one right away. We have to wait until the area heals and there is a possibility that I will need bone grating and maybe one of the other implants will need to be redone too. I am disgusted and this whole thing is ridiculous. I dropped a lot of cash on these implants and you would think that somebody would ensure the implants are in mint condition. The prosthodontist I have is too casual about the whole thing too. It’s just kind of a ‘we’ll fix it’ attitude without any explanation. I want to know what happened. Why would an implant snap? Thanks Romia

Romia – We are sorry to hear about the difficulty with one of your All-On-Four implants. There are several reasons that an implant may snap.

One cause is the skill of the prosthodontist. The implants must be perfectly aligned and accurately placed to evenly distribute pressure on the implants. The slightest inaccuracy can exert pressure on an implant and cause it to snap.

A second possibility is the quality of the implant. Low-quality implants are a fraction of the cost of FDA-approved implants, but they are also a fraction of the quality. The effort to save money can be costly and compromise oral health.

You can ask your prosthodontist why he thinks the implant snapped, as well as what is being done this time to prevent the problem from recurring. It may be wise to consider getting a second opinion from an experienced prosthodontist. After an examination and a digital x-ray, he or she will let you know why the problem occurred and how it should be treated.

This post is sponsored by Naperville board-certified prosthodontist Dr. Anthony LaVacca.

Is this a realistic cost for All on 4 dental implants?

By All-on-4 Dental Implants, Dental Implants, Prosthodontist

I lost most of my teeth in a work accident that made a huge blow to my face. My dentist says I’m lucky that my jawbone didn’t break.  My face was disfigured and I have a long recovery. I have been scouting around for dental implants and quickly realized that I can’t afford to replace all of the missing teeth with implants. So I have to accept the fact that I need dentures. I can get all on 4. I found a place that said they will do all on 4 for 7k which is unbelievably low. I am just wondering why so big of a difference from the 3 other implant places I visited which were 4-5 times that cost. Were the other dentists just trying advantage of me? Thanks. Raj

Raj– The higher costs you received are more realistic for the All-On-4 procedure. Depending on where you live in the country and the specifics of your case, the cost will vary.

Some of the costs involved in proper implant placement are diagnostic studies, quality implant fixtures, implant surgery, and the placement of dentures on the implants. The second quote of $7000 raises a lot of concern. That is the quote that really sounds like an attempt to take advantage of you with inferior dental implants. The low cost will likely result in cheap implant fixtures or some type of shortcut that can result in an infection around the implants and complete implant failure.

If you want another valid opinion, we recommend that you see a skilled, reputable implant dentist who provides quality fixtures. The estimate that you receive should be more or less in the area of your initial quotes, but not significantly less. You can look for dentists with extensive training in implant dentistry, or a prosthodontist who perform every phase of the implant process.

This post is sponsored by board-certified prosthodontist Dr. Anthony LaVacca.

Advice on getting All on 4 in Cancun

By All-on-4 Dental Implants

Something has to be done with my dentures. My son warned me about this in a nice way before I ever received dentures. Gum disease got the best of my teeth and the few I had left were pulled in January of 2014. I think my jawbone must have been bad before I ever got dentures because I had so many teeth missing. Now I need implants and am pretty much leaning toward All on 4. My dentist referred me to a surgeon and I saw another implant dentist and Clear Choice on my own. Last week I just happened to see a website from Cancun that lets me save more than half the cost of the implants here. That price includes everything, dentures and all. Even after travel and hotel I am still saving big bucks. I would really like to see these Cancun implant dentists in person though and maybe get second and third opinions from them. Can you recommend 2 more? – Earl

Earl – We are unable to recommend All-On-4 implant dentists outside the U.S. We recommend that you find a reliable way to experience, credentials, and education for each of the dentists in Mexico. Don’t depend on a website to give you the real facts.

Keep in mind that to ensure proper healing, all dental implants require multiple follow-up appointments during the weeks and months after surgery. Your dentists needs to check the implants, your gums, and jawbone for proper healing and any signs of complications. Will you return to Cancun for those follow-up appointments, or depend on a U.S. dentist for them? Most dental implants surgeries from a qualified surgeon are successful. If unanticipated problems arise, are you prepared to extend your stay or return to Mexico to see your dentist there?

The immediate dentures you receive when All-On-4 is first placed are not your permanent dentures. After the healing period, impressions will be taken to ensure your permanent dentures fit correctly. The new dentures will be secured to the implants. Another visit to the country where the implants are placed will be required.

We recommend that you factor in travel expenses for multiple follow-up appointments, an extended stay, or incidentals that may come up during or after the implant surgery. Specifically ask each dentist how many follow-up appointments are required. Remember that those appointments are estimates, provided everything goes well.

Carefully weigh the complete cost, as well as your pros and cons before you make a final decision.

This post is sponsored by board-certified prosthodontist Dr. Anthony LaVacca.

Can all on 4 implants be removed?

By All-on-4 Dental Implants

I want to have my dentures locked down and I saw 2 different dentists who recommend all on 4. I saw a 3rd dentist who just recommended regular dental implants. She said that she would secure the dentures with 6 to 8 dental implants and I still don’t need bone grafting. The dentists who recommended all of 4 said the advantage was a faster placement time. It would just about be done and over while I would still be waiting for 6 to 8 implants to heal. I have done some research on both types of implants of implants. I am wondering if I decide to go with all on 4 and I don’t like it, can the implants be removed and can I then switch to the 6 to 8 implants? Thanks Ezra R.

Ezra – Based on your question, we recommend that you ask for more information from each implant specialist to get clarification on the differences between standard dental implants and All-On-4 implants. Ask questions to ensure that you understand the process and healing for each. Ask about the differences in stability for All-On-4 versus standard implants.

An understanding of the differences between the procedures can help you make a decision on which treatment you prefer. When an implant procedure is completely properly, there is no reason for you not to like it.

If you have a skilled implant dentist, regardless of the procedure you decide to receive, your implants should not need to be removed and replaced with a different type of implants. This is a situation that you want to avoid. Replacing dental implants is costly—in time and money. After implants are removed, a healing period is needed before new implants are placed. This scenario can be avoided by finding a skilled implant dentist to help you decide which treatment is best for your case.

 

This post is sponsored by board-certified prosthodontist Dr. Anthony LaVacca.

1 of my all on 4 implants came out

By All-on-4 Dental Implants, Prosthodontist

I got all on 4 implants in late September. Last week, 1 of them came out completely. Right away I went to the surgeon that put the implants in. Now he says that my jawbone needs some grafting and I have to wait until the original implant spot heals. Does this sound right or can he just put the implant back in and sew it down until it heals? – Uwe

Uwe – Dr. LaVacca needs to examine your implant and jawbone before a second opinion can be provided. Although the All-On-4 procedure was used to anchor your dentures, it is possible that the implant that came out was incorrectly placed.

The size and length of the implants used can determine how stable they are. If implants are too short, or if they are not strong enough, they can dislodge.

Since jawbone grafting is being recommended, it may be that your jawbone needed to be built up before you received implants. If bone grafting is needed, then a healing period at the original implant site is needed.

All-On-4 Implants Second Opinion

In order to receive a satisfactory and accurate answer to your question, we recommend that you get a second—and if necessary, a third—opinion from experienced implant surgeons or prosthodontists. Just as with the All-On-4 placement, your medical history will be reviewed. The implants and jawbone will be examined, and diagnostic studies will be used to help determine what caused the implant to dislodge.

If you have current, post-operative diagnostic studies (x-ray or MRI), bring a copy with you. An implant specialist from whom you receive a second opinion may decide that a new imaging studies are needed.

When an implant fails, the resolution isn’t as simple as immediately replacing it. The cause of failure needs to be determined first to prevent the problem from recurring.

Carefully weigh the options presented to you from each of the specialists you visit for a second opinion, before you choose a provider to correct the issue.

This post is sponsored by board-certified prosthodontist Dr. Anthony LaVacca.

 

Does 1 set of all on 4 really cost as much as a car?

By All-on-4 Dental Implants

There are 2 things I wanted within the next 2 years, all on 4 and a new car. I did a little research and found out 1 set of all on 4 costs as much as a new car and not a smart car either. Are those $20K plus figures right? Theo

Theo – Depending on the dentist and where you live in the country, All-on-4 dental implants on average can cost about $30,000. If you visit some well-known and highly advertised, mega dental implant centers, the cost for All-on-4 can be significantly higher.

Although financing and payment plans are available, the All-on-4 procedure is not for every patient. And there are less expensive options that will secure your dentures. Find a few experienced implant dentists or prosthodontists to find out which options can be used for your case. Compare your options, the pros and cons, and the cost before you make a final decision.

Remember that quality dental implants are an investment that is required for long-lasting results. So cost alone should not be the only factor you consider when deciding which implants to receive or the dentist from whom you receive them.

This post is sponsored by Naperville implant dentist Dr. Anthony LaVacca.

 

Clear Choice reviewed my records and said I don’t need bone grafting

By All-on-4 Dental Implants, Dental Implants

I went to 2 implant dentists before my 3rd opinion at Clear Choice. Clear Choice did their own imaging and told me the opposite of what the previous dentists said. According to Clear Choice, I can get implants without grafting. Who should I believe? – Milan W.

Milan – If you documented, or if you can recall your conversations from the first two dentists you visited, as well as Clear Choice, you can compare the reasons you were given as to why you do or don’t need bone grafting.

If you can’t recall the conversations, we suggested that you contact each dentist for an explanation. If you are still undecided about which treatment option you prefer, a fourth opinion may be beneficial. Clear Choice often recommends All-On-4 implants, which are angled and don’t require bone grafting. Is All-On-4 the treatment that was recommended to you? If so, it would explain why you were told that you don’t need bone grafting for implants.

At any rate, be certain to get more information from each dentist and take notes on the explanations you are given. Don’t make a decision about treatment until your options and the reasons for them are clear to you.

 

This post is sponsored by Naperville implant dentist Dr. Anthony LaVacca.

 

Why would a dentist recommend all on 4 if I can afford single implants?

By All-on-4 Dental Implants, Dental Implants

I am one of the people who is fortunate enough to have enough savings for single implants. It is a blessing from God that I don’t take for granted. The dentist I saw prefers to do all on 4 instead of single implants. I even suggested doing 8 implants instead of 4 but she keeps referring back to all on 4. I am not understanding why this is happening. Can you give me a clue? Thanks. Violet

Violet – We cannot be certain as to why All-on-4 dental implants are being recommended for your case. It is possible that you lack enough jawbone density for individual implants. The All-on-4 procedure eliminates the need for bone grafting to build up your jawbone.

In any case, you should be given options and explanations of the pros and cons for each of them. A second opinion from a skilled implant dentist may help you to understand why your dentist recommends All-on-4. Or you may learn that individual implants are a good option for you.

If you can receive them, individual implants will provide the most natural-looking and natural-feeling results. You will feel as if you have all of your natural teeth again. The final decision is yours, but a second opinion—and a third opinion, if necessary—can give you the information you need to make a confident decision about your treatment.

 

This post is sponsored by Naperville implant dentist and board-certified prosthodontist Dr. Anthony LaVacca.

Close Menu