All-on-4 is a dental procedure used to reconstruct a person’s mouth when he or she has lost a significant number of teeth in one or both jaws. It belongs to a family of similar procedures that also includes All-on-6 and All-on-8.
Many people don’t understand what the difference is between an All-on-4 and its alternative procedures. When they search online for an answer, they find out that the difference is that an All-on-4 involves the implantation of four dental implants, whereas All-on-6 and All-on-8 involve the implantation of six and eight dental implants respectively.
That information by itself doesn’t tell a person much. Patients wonder if it’s better to have fewer or more dental implants. They want to know if they should go for an All-on-4 or an All-on-6 if possible, and what the dental benefits are.
There is no clear answer to which of these options is better. It all depends on the patient.
Let’s understand a bit how these solutions work. Dental implants are a preferred dental solution for obtaining the same level of strength and stability as natural teeth, since they naturally integrate themselves into the bone of the jaw. In an All-on-4 solution, after the four dental implants have become part of the jawbone, they serve as a base for a bridge that will have crowns or other type of tooth replacements.
Dental implants require that the jaw has enough bone to support the implants and that the structure of the bone is strong. An All-on-8 is going to require more bone and more bone strength than an All-on-4.
However, that is not the only consideration. An All-on-4 is simpler than an All-on-8. In many cases, the patient doesn’t need such an extensive reconstruction, so an All-on-4 may be more appropriate. Also, the location of the missing teeth, the situation of the remaining teeth, and the general health situation of the patient might affect which type of reconstruction is more appropriate for the patient.
It’s for these reasons that there is no “better” solution for every case. You will have to talk with your dentist about your specific situation, and maybe go through some tests, before your dentist can decide that you need an All-on-4 or a different solution.
No matter what your dentist concludes, these dental implant procedures are very routine (and affordable) in Costa Rica, a popular destination for those seeking dental care from the US and Canada.
How to choose the right clinic for your all on four in Costa Rica? Do your homework and check the reviews on Google, Facebook and here on CostaRicaDentalGuide.com.
OUR PICK:
Goodness Dental is ranked by CostaRicaDentalGuide.com as the best clinic for all on 4, all on 6 or all on 8 in Costa Rica. Goodness Dental uses only maxillofacial surgeons and dental implantologists to place dental implants. Staff and surgeons at Goodness Dental trained at leading US dental schools including NYU, UCLA and Baylor. Goodness Dental also offers a lifetime guarantee on dental implants.
If you are interested in an All-on-4 procedure in Costa Rica, fill out the “Find a Dentist” form. A participating dental specialist will reply to your needs.