Reviews: Hello,
My teeth have caused me nothing but trouble my whole life. I don’t have very many left and my dentist has agreed to pull them so I can get dentures. He mentioned all-on-4s as an alternative to removable dentures because it will be more permanent. I do like the idea, but am concerned because a friend of mine had all-on-4s and something went terribly wrong with one of the implants. I’ve had enough trouble with my teeth and don’t want to risk going through what she did if this is something common that can happen. — Sharon
Sharon,
You are right to do your research and ask questions up front. While the all-on-4 procedure has been a hot topic recently for the reasons that you mention, you can relax a little bit and know that the problems your friend experienced are very rare. Implant failure happens in a very small percentage of patients.
Your success mostly hinges on the skill level of your dentist. To ensure you have a good outcome with the procedure, find a dentist who is educated and experienced with all-on-4, and ask the following questions:
- Where he/she learned the procedure
- If he/she has had any continuing education on all-on-4s
- How long he/she has been performing the all-on-4 procedure and how many patients they have treated
- Has there been any failures and what is the most common complication his/her patients have experienced
As with any medical procedure, your health will also play an important role. Be sure your dentist thoroughly reviews your medical history to determine if you are at risk for implant failure. And if you are aware of any risks in your medical history, such as periodontal disease, bone loss, diabetes – or if you smoke, be sure to discuss all those risk factors open and honestly.
All-on-4s have a very high success rate, but asking questions and educating yourself before the procedure will put your mind at ease and ensure the best outcome possible.
This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about Find out why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.