If you are tired of dealing with slipping dentures, messy adhesives, or failing teeth, you are not alone. At Dental Care of Beverly Hills, we see patients every day who feel limited by their current dental situation. Whether it is avoiding your favorite foods or feeling self-conscious when you laugh, tooth loss can take a major toll on your quality of life. Fortunately, modern dentistry offers a solution that is miles ahead of traditional false teeth. We are talking about all on 4 dental implants.
This revolutionary procedure has changed the way we approach full-arch restoration. It isn’t just about replacing teeth; it is about restoring your confidence and your ability to live life without hesitation. As a practice dedicated to the highest standards of care in Beverly Hills, we want to walk you through exactly what this treatment is, why it is considered the permanent denture fix, and how it can transform your smile forever.
Understanding the All-on-4 Concept
So, what exactly are all on 4 dental implants? To understand this, we first need to look at how a single dental implant works. Traditionally, an implant is a small titanium screw that replaces the root of a missing tooth. If you were missing a whole mouthful of teeth, replacing them one by one with individual implants would be incredibly expensive and require significant surgery and bone grafting.
The All-on-4 technique is a brilliant engineering solution to this problem. Instead of using an implant for every single tooth, we use just four strategically placed implants to support an entire arch of upper or lower teeth. Think of it like a chair; a chair doesn’t need a leg under every corner of the seat to be stable—it just needs four solid legs at the corners to support the weight.
Two of the implants are placed vertically in the front of the jaw, where the bone is naturally denser. The other two implants are placed in the back but at a specific angle. This tilting allows us to take advantage of available bone without the need for complex bone grafts in most cases. Once these four anchors are in place, we attach a permanent set of custom-made teeth that look, feel, and function just like natural ones.
Why We Call It the Permanent Denture Fix
When we say “permanent,” we mean it in two ways. First, unlike traditional dentures which you have to take out every night to soak in a glass, All-on-4 teeth are fixed in your mouth. You brush them just like you would brush natural teeth. They become a part of you.
Second, the solution is designed for longevity. Traditional dentures sit on top of the gums. Over time, because there are no tooth roots to stimulate the jawbone, the bone begins to shrink (resorb). This is why dentures start to fit poorly after a few years and require relining. Implants, however, integrate with your jawbone in a process called osseointegration. This stimulates the bone and helps maintain your facial structure.
The Problem with Traditional Dentures
To truly appreciate the value of all on 4 dental implants, we have to look at the downsides of the alternative. While traditional dentures have been around for a long time, they come with a laundry list of complaints that we hear often:
- Slippage: Moving around when you speak or eat.
- Dietary Restrictions: Inability to chew steak, raw vegetables, or sticky foods.
- Taste Loss: Upper dentures cover the roof of your mouth, blocking taste buds.
- Sore Spots: Friction on the gums causing irritation.
- Messy Glues: The daily hassle of applying adhesive paste.
With implant-supported teeth, these issues virtually disappear. The roof of your mouth remains uncovered, allowing you to taste your food fully, and the stability allows you to exert bite force similar to natural teeth.
The Dental Care of Beverly Hills Difference
Here at our practice, we view dental restoration as a blend of art and medical science. When we design your new smile, we aren’t just picking a generic set of teeth. We look at your facial shape, your skin tone, and your personality. We want your new smile to look like it belongs to you—only better.
We use high-quality materials, such as Zirconia or porcelain, which mimic the translucency and light-reflecting properties of natural enamel. Because we are in Beverly Hills, we understand that aesthetics are paramount. Our goal is for your friends and family to tell you how great you look, without necessarily realizing you have had dental work done.
A Look at the Procedure: What to Expect
Many patients feel anxious about the idea of surgery, but we strive to make the experience as comfortable as possible. Here is a general timeline of how we handle the all on 4 dental implants procedure.
1. The Consultation and Planning
Everything starts with a conversation. We take 3D CT scans of your jaw to map out exactly where your nerves and sinuses are and to determine the density of your bone. This digital planning ensures precision and safety.
2. The Surgery
On the day of the procedure, we ensure you are completely comfortable. We offer sedation options so you can essentially “sleep” through the appointment. Any remaining failing teeth are removed, and the four implants are placed into the jawbone.
3. Immediate Function
This is the part our patients love the most. In many cases, we can attach a temporary set of fixed teeth on the very same day as surgery. You walk in with bad teeth (or no teeth) and walk out with a brand-new smile. You won’t have to go without teeth during the healing process.
4. Healing and Final Restoration
Over the next 3 to 6 months, your jawbone will bond with the titanium implants. Once this bonding is complete, you return to our office, and we replace the temporary bridge with your final, customized permanent teeth. These are stronger and even more aesthetic than the temporary ones.
Data That Supports the Investment
We know that choosing this procedure is a significant investment in yourself. However, the data supports the decision. It is important to look at the long-term success rates when considering medical procedures.
Data Point 1: According to long-term studies in the Journal of Oral Implantology and other clinical research, the All-on-4 treatment concept has documented success rates of roughly 98% for the lower arch and 97-98% for the upper arch after 10 years of follow-up. This makes it one of the most predictable procedures in dentistry.
Furthermore, we have to look at the health of your jawbone. Losing teeth is not just a cosmetic issue; it is a health issue.
Data Point 2: Research indicates that within the first year of tooth loss, the width of the bone decreases by 25%. This bone loss continues over the years if implants are not placed to stimulate the jaw. By choosing All-on-4, you are actively preventing the “sunken face” look associated with long-term denture wearers.
For more information on the types of implants and their long-term benefits, you can read this article from the American Academy of Implant Dentistry.
Who is the Ideal Candidate?
You might be wondering if you are eligible for this treatment. One of the biggest advantages of the All-on-4 system is that it opens the door for patients who were previously told they didn’t have enough bone for implants.
Because we tilt the posterior implants, we can often utilize the available bone without needing skin grafts or sinus lifts. Generally, you are a good candidate if:
- You are missing all of your teeth in one or both jaws.
- Your remaining teeth are failing due to gum disease or decay.
- You are currently wearing dentures and hate them.
- You are in good general health to undergo minor surgery.
- You do not smoke (or are willing to quit during the healing process), as smoking can affect implant success.
Life After All-on-4: A New Normal
Once your final teeth are in, the change in your lifestyle is immediate. I often tell patients to go home and plan a celebratory dinner—eventually including foods they haven’t eaten in years. Imagine biting into a crisp apple or enjoying corn on the cob. These simple pleasures return to you.
Beyond food, there is the psychological impact. We have seen patients who previously covered their mouths when they laughed suddenly become the most expressive people in the room. The security of knowing your teeth will not fall out provides a level of psychological freedom that is hard to put a price tag on.
Maintenance and Care
Another benefit is simplicity. You treat your new smile very much like natural teeth. You will brush them twice a day and floss. However, flossing is slightly different; you will use a special tool like a water flosser or “super floss” to clean underneath the bridge where it meets the gums.
You will still need to come see us at Dental Care of Beverly Hills for regular check-ups. Even though your new teeth cannot get cavities, we need to ensure the implants remain healthy and the gum tissue is free of inflammation. We act as partners in maintaining your new smile for decades to come.
Addressing the Cost
We believe in transparency. All on 4 dental implants are more expensive upfront than a plastic denture. However, when you calculate the lifetime cost, the perspective changes. Dentures need to be relined frequently and replaced every 5 to 7 years. They also require adhesives and cleaning solutions.
More importantly, how do you value your bone health and your confidence? The All-on-4 solution is intended to be a one-time restoration. When financed or viewed as a lifetime investment, many of our patients find it to be surprisingly economical compared to the cumulative costs and misery of traditional denture maintenance.
Your Smile is Our Masterpiece
At Dental Care of Beverly Hills, we are passionate about this procedure because we see the tears of joy when patients look in the mirror for the first time. We are not just fixing teeth; we are restoring the person behind the smile.
If you have been living in discomfort or hiding your smile, it is time to explore a permanent solution. You deserve to eat what you want, speak clearly, and laugh loudly. The technology exists to give you back the quality of life you have been missing.
Ready to Transform Your Smile?
If you are interested in learning more about all on 4 dental implants, we invite you to reach out to us. We can schedule a comprehensive consultation to review your specific needs, discuss sedation options, and create a customized treatment plan that fits your life.
Do not let another day go by worrying about your teeth. Let us show you how we can use this state-of-the-art technique to give you a smile that is as permanent and resilient as you are. Your new life with a confident, radiant smile is just an appointment away.
