If you need to replace a full arch of teeth, you have an alternative to dentures. New dental implant techniques have been developed to restore a full arch using several dental implants. The most common of these techniques are All On 4 and All On 6. While each of these achieves the same results, using four implants instead of six has many advantages. One disadvantage of using only 4 implants and having large sinuses, will be to have a short prosthesis with minimal cantilever.
Bone Quality
Bone quality and quantity is a primary consideration for using dental implants to replace a full arch. Most people lose their molars at the back of the jaw before other teeth due to bone loss. By the time that you need to replace the full arch, you may have significant deterioration of the bone in that area. Using four implants instead of six could be your choice because it would not involve sinus lifts.
Procedure Time
The procedure for the All On 6 technique involves sometimes placing bone grafts (sinus lifts) and six implants. For the All On 4 technique, usually no bone grafts are required and only four implants are used. Because fewer implants are used and there is no need for bone grafting, the procedure time for using four implants is shorter.
A New Smile in Just One Day
Bone grafts need time to combine with your natural bone. If you were to replace your full arch by using six implants and sinus lifts, you can expect to add the four to six months to the overall healing time. Because bone grafts are not needed when using four implants, you can have a new smile in just less time.
Cost
Many dental insurance companies will not cover the cost of full arch replacement with dental implants, or the coverage is very limited. If you are paying out-of-pocket, you might want the most affordable option available. The All On 4 and All On 6 techniques produce similar results, yet using only four implants is the more budget-friendly option. You pay for fewer implants, and usually costly bone grafts (sinus lifts) are not required.
The Best Option for Smaller Jaw Structures
Any dental implant procedure needs to take into consideration the location and size of the maxillary sinus of the upper jaw and the inferior alveolar nerve of the lower jaw. Even if the bone quality is good or exceptional in these areas, people with smaller jaw structures may not be able to accommodate six implants. Using only four implants ensures that these important areas of the oral cavity are protected.
Abnormalities of the Jaw
Anatomical abnormalities in the oral cavity are not unusual, and they can interfere with many dental procedures and heighten the risk of gum disease and bone loss. A technique that uses four implants instead of six to replace a full arch allows the surgeon more flexibility for implant placement without jeopardizing the stability of the replacement denture.
