How Will All-on-4® Dental Implants Help Me Chew Better?

Tooth loss is an issue that affects many people, both young and old. The American College of Prosthodontists estimates that 40 million Americans are missing all of their teeth, which has a pronounced impact on their quality of life. Anyone in this situation has traditionally only had dentures as a reliable option. Now, there are new treatments.

With All-on-4® dental implants, you can enjoy an improved quality of life and an experience that more closely approximates having actual teeth as compared to having dentures. This restoration option looks more natural, feels better, and provides enhanced functionality for speaking and eating.

While dentures let anyone with missing teeth enjoy a broader diet, All-on-4® implants go even further. Improved bite strength and less slippage make chewing more natural, letting you eat many foods that you would have to avoid with dentures.

The All-on-4® treatment concept relies on dental implants to provide a foundation for a full arch replacement. During an All-on-4® restoration, dental implants are placed in the jawbone, where they create strong anchor points. Dental implants can support crowns, bridges, or, in the case of All-on-4®, entire rows of replacement teeth.

This tooth replacement option has several properties that make it uniquely suited to letting you chew better and enjoy the foods you love confidently.

Permanent Fixture

One of the main downsides to traditional dentures is that they simply sit in the mouth. They do not attach to any type of foundation and can slip and shift freely. Even with dental adhesive, this can present a serious issue when chewing. The problem only becomes worse as time goes on, as dentures can warp and deform until they need replacement. 

The All-on-4® treatment concept provides a solution to these problems. With full arch replacement, each arch uses four implant posts to fix the replacement in place. Unlike with dentures, you do not remove All-on-4® restorations each night. An oral surgeon attaches the All-on-4® restorations, and only an oral surgeon or another dental professional can remove them.

This means that you do not have to worry about dentures slipping or shifting while eating. Even while chewing, the All-on-4® implants stay in the same place. Without the worry of slipping, you can chew more confidently and eat tougher foods.

Additionally, without constant slipping and gum rubbing, you will not develop the soreness and irritation that come with dentures. You will also have a simpler oral hygiene routine that is similar to how you would care for natural teeth.

No slipping also helps boost self-confidence. Many people with dentures may feel embarrassed when slippage makes their dentures more conspicuous. All-on-4® implants provide natural-looking replacement teeth that can give you more confidence when eating and speaking.

A Strong Foundation

Many of the faults found in traditional dentures arise due to the fact that they rest directly on the gums. Natural teeth do not transfer any force through the gums. Instead, forces from chewing go through the tooth to its roots and then push against the jawbone. In contrast, chewing with dentures results in pushing against soft and tender gums. Not only does that lead to discomfort, but the cushioning reduces bite strength no matter how hard you try to chew.

Dental implants resolve this issue by providing a foundation that is similar to natural tooth roots. Your full arch restorations attach to dental implant posts embedded in the jawbone. When you chew, the force goes through the implant to the jaw bone rather than through the gums. This provides a considerable increase in bite strength. 

The connection to the jawbone also provides reliable stability. While dentures can move freely, the foundation for your All-on-4® restorations reaches into strong bone. They are not any more likely to move while chewing than healthy natural teeth.

Dental implants do not simply sit inside the jawbone but become part of it. The implants are titanium, a material that shows excellent osseointegration. During the recovery process after your implant placement, the jawbone naturally integrates with the titanium to provide the strongest possible foundation.

Jawbone Health

All-on-4® dental implants help improve your chewing now and in the future. Without any natural teeth present, the jawbone deteriorates over time. Dentures do not stop this jawbone resorption, but dental implants can.

Natural tooth roots stimulate the jawbone to keep it strong and maintain density. Once those teeth are gone, bone density decreases. This eventually leads to the visibly shrunken facial appearance common in long-term denture users. It also means that they need replacement dentures often, as they do not fit the shrinking jawbone for long.

All-on-4® dental implants provide the stimulation necessary to avoid jawbone resorption. The implants reach into the jawbone, similar to natural tooth roots. You can enjoy better long-term oral health with All-on-4® implants and prevent the long-term jawbone resorption that comes with missing teeth.

If you have had missing teeth for an extended period before seeking out dental implants, your jawbone might not be able to provide a solid foundation due to jawbone resorption. However, options such as bone grafting can restore the strength and integrity of the jawbone to support dental implants in many cases.

An Exceptional Choice for Natural Chewing Ability

If you are missing all or most of your teeth, you have several options. All-on-4® dental implants are among the best treatments available, especially when it comes to restoring natural chewing ability. The permanent restoration, strong foundation, and long-term oral health benefits let you lead a more natural life.

Mosaic Maxillofacial Surgical Arts & Implant Centers provides a wide range of restorative treatment options in Clearwater, FL, and the entire Tampa area. You can count on our surgeons to carefully evaluate your case to find the most suitable option and carry out the procedure to deliver lasting results. 

Find out more about All-on-4® treatments today.