New Teeth, New Life

Pam won her battle with leukemia, but she still suffered some side effects of the chemo and radiation therapy. Unfortunately, that included damage to her teeth. Over the last several years, Pam’s teeth had been breaking and falling out. It hurt to eat. It hurt to sleep. It hurt to talk. Pam had reached a point when every tooth in her mouth had been fixed at least once or twice.

Finally, Pam decided she was done. She came to WPOMS to have all of her teeth removed so she could get a denture, but then we told her about All-on-4 (or Full Mouth Dental Implants), the best existing alternative to dentures. “As soon as they showed me All-on-4, I was like that’s me,” Pam said. “That’s totally me. No question about it.”

With only four dental implants and no bone grafting, All-on-4 can gives patients new permanent teeth that look and function like natural teeth. With All-on-4, Pam can eat, speak, and smile with confidence.

The All-on-4 Dental Implant Procedure

Bone loss can complicate efforts to place dental implants in a patient’s jaw, as the implant needs adequate bone tissue to support osseointegration. In cases where there is not enough quality bone available, the implant faces a higher risk of failure.

Unfortunately, bone loss accompanies tooth loss, and patients who have delayed getting dental implants, such as long-term denture wearers, may find that the jawbone has already eroded significantly. This can jeopardize the dental implant process.

In the past, patients in these circumstances might have faced an additional surgical procedure to graft additional bone tissue at the implant site before getting dental implants. Now, a technique known as All-on-4 or Full Mouth Impants helps patients with bone loss become viable candidates for implant-supported dentures.

All-on-4 uses just four dental implants, located at the front of the jaw, to secure an entire prosthetic arch. This placement pattern follows the pattern of jawbone resorption, which occurs most quickly at the back of the jaw. Additionally, the two outer implants are angled below the gum-line to further accommodate remaining jawbone material.

The All-on-4 Procedure is completed in just a few hours, and patients can leave the appointment with a prosthetic arch. This quick turnaround for restoring the smile is why some people refer to the procedure as the “smile in a day.”

All-on-4 is also beneficial because the implants limit further jawbone atrophy. The implant-supported appliance will not lose its fit because the shape of the jaw remains stable. Implant-supported dentures also are more effective at chewing.

More Patient Success Stories

All-On-4 Patient

Another All-On-4 dental implant patient of Dr. Krakora shares her experience before and after surgery. She is more than happy with the results and was back to her normal routine in no time. Her new smile allows her to speak confidently in public and thrive in her career. Plus, she can eat anything she wants – apples, steak, hard-crusted bread, paninis, you name it!

Michael

Michael was accidentally hit in the mouth with a baseball bat when he was 9 years old and has had a painful mouth ever since. He has struggled with loose painful teeth all his life. Even as an adult there were no great options for replacing all of his upper teeth.

However, thanks to advances in dental technology, Michael was able to have the All on 4 procedure completed. Although he wishes the surgery was available 20 years ago, he is extremely satisfied with the results! In one day Michael’s upper teeth were extracted, four implants were placed, and his permanent teeth were attached to the implants. Finally after years of painful and loose teeth, Michael has teeth that feel like the teeth he has never had. His health has vastly improved, and he can’t believe his new teeth actually “feel like real teeth.”

Frank

With an active lifestyle and career in sales, Frank was devastated when he found out he would be losing his teeth due to deteriorating bone loss. However, rather than dealing with the hassle of dentures, Frank decided to proceed with Dr. Krakora’s All-on-4 dental implant surgery and it has made all the difference! He can eat the food he loves, stay active, and smile with confidence.

Candice

Candice has always had problems with her teeth. When they began to fail over the years due to her Crohn’s disease, she didn’t want the hassle of dealing with dentures. Instead, she proceeded with Dr. Krakora’s All-on-4 surgery. Now she is out doing the things she loves and living with confidence!

Terry

Terry is more than happy with his permanent smile. After dealing with all the hassles of dentures, Terry was willing to do whatever it took to have the all-on-4 dental implant procedure done. Thanks to Dr. Krakora and his team, Terry is feeling pain free and confident a week after his surgery!

All-On-4 Informational Videos

If you have been considering making the switch from dentures to dental implants, explore the All-on-4 procedure. Learn more about the process, and discuss the specifics of your case with our staff to determine whether you may be a candidate for All-on-4.

In these videos below, Dr. Krakora provides numerous reasons why the All-On-4 Dental Implant Procedure is the best alternative to your natural teeth.

Top 5 Reasons for Choosing All-On-4

The Downside of Having Dentures