(Part One of an on-going conversation)
What is an “All-on-four” treatment solution?
The “All-on-four” dental restoration treatment is a convenient and effective treatment option available for the 30+ million Americans who are missing most of their upper and/or lower teeth. Your family dentist may recommend this solution as an alternative to wearing dentures.
How does an “All-on-four” work?
Your prosthodontist creates a full tooth-replacement prosthesis, using only four dental implants to anchor the teeth on the top, and another four implants to attach the full arch of teeth on the bottom. The patient walks out with a full set of teeth on the day of surgery.
What does this process entail?
Each implant is a small titanium screw connected to the jawbone. Minor surgery, that does not require general anesthesia, is performed in order to insert the implants into the bone structure.
The implant is constructed of titanium, which fuses to living jawbone and functions as part of it. This creates as a strong, long-lasting foundation.
Once the implants are in place, the prosthodontist attaches a full arch of a natural-looking, highly functional replacement teeth to the implants. This stays in your mouth permanently.
What are the benefits of using an “All on 4” option?
• Full-arch rehabilitation with only four implants.
• Teeth remain in the mouth.
• Long-Lasting.
• The procedure does not require bone grafts.
• The patient has immediate function.
Dr. Keith Phillips has more than 25 years of experience in family dentistry, cosmetic dentistry and Prosthodontics. He shares his expertise through lectures, training seminars and through literary technical contributions such as the highly-acclaimed instructional resource “Implant Aesthetics.”
Dr. Keith Phillips is a former Associate Editor for the Journal of the American Dental Association and is an Affiliate Associate Professor at the University of Washington, the University of Southern California, Tufts University, and the University of Pennsylvania. He lectures nationally and internationally on implant dentistry.
Distinctive Dentistry, is located just off the freeway in Fife, WA. We serve patients in the greater Tacoma area including Gig Harbor, Federal Way and Puyallup.