Dental implants are a life-enhancing innovation: a chance to restore your natural smile and function after tooth loss. Implants are the “gold standard” of care when it comes to replacing missing teeth. However, choosing the right implant option is key. In some cases, a single implant is enough; but if you’re struggling with large gaps or failing natural teeth, All-on-4 is often the best treatment option. This allows us to recreate a whole arch of missing teeth, using as few as four implants. Best of all, you’ll notice a world of difference in just one day.
The solution to bone loss, failed teeth and loose dentures
Failed teeth can spark a range of repercussions, from the discomfort of loose dentures to long-term bone loss. If you’ve lost a large number of teeth, All-on-4 is a modern alternative to traditional approaches like full dentures.
Loose dentures can cause irritation and ongoing issues like ear pain, headaches, and difficulties with biting and chewing. And, although they can replace your smile to some extent, they can’t address the bone loss that results from a tooth extraction.
Because dentures are placed on top of the gum, rather than rooted within it, they don’t stimulate the tissues in your jawbone. Without this, it can begin to deteriorate – causing facial sagging and premature ageing. Many patients notice facial height collapse and the appearance of their chin moving forward, which makes the nose seem larger and more prominent. This prompts a vicious cycle: as the jawbone loses bulk and tissues degrade, dentures become increasingly loose and poorly fitting. This can, in turn, accelerate the bone loss process.
The advantages of All-on-4
It’s no exaggeration to say that All-on-4 implants are a life-changing solution. Avoiding the problems with traditional dentures, All-on-4 provides a secure, fixed set of teeth that look and function just like natural ones. And, by stimulating your jawbone, they help prevent – or even reverse – ageing associated with bone loss.
The technique uses a small number of strategically placed implants to support a full arch of replacement teeth, making it less invasive and more cost-effective than placing individual implants. Because the treatment often avoids the need for bone grafting, recovery times are shorter – giving you the perks of restored confidence, comfort, and chewing ability much sooner.
How does it work?
With All-on-4, we can restore a full arch of teeth using between four and six implants. These implants essentially act as anchor points for a bridge of fixed replacement teeth. We’ll choose their location based on your individual circumstances, and where your bone density is greatest, spreading out the support of your replacement teeth for maximum stability.
With your implants securely in place, we’ll attach a temporary bridge of teeth, giving you an immediate uplift in function and appearance. This immediate impact has given All-on-4 treatment the nickname, “Smile in a day”.
If you still have failing teeth present, we may need to extract these before we begin. However, because All-on-4 implants can be cleverly placed at an angle within your jawbone, they’re a good solution if you’d like to avoid the extra surgical procedure of a bone graft or sinus lift. Usually, we can complete any necessary extractions, and fix both your implants and temporary restorations, during the same procedure.
As your jawbone heals and fuses around the implants, your new, permanent bridge can be made. This can usually be fitted after three months – and with the right dental care, will last a lifetime.
What makes the Bristol Dental Practice different for implants?
At the Bristol Dental Practice, we have the technology and skills to offer All-on-4 implants in-house, meaning there’s no need for an outside referral or lengthy waiting period. Our implant procedures are overseen by Dr Jonathan Cochrane, Bristol’s leading implant dentist. With a specialism in this field, he’s passionate about rebuilding our patients’ smiles and self-confidence.
On primary focus is on providing dedicated care, from your first enquiry. We’ll hold an initial one-hour consultation meeting to talk through your goals and options, and tackle any concerns. The implant procedure is predictable and pain-free, but if you’re nervous about dental work, we can arrange conscious sedation during your treatment.
Unlike other Bristol-based practices, we’re open seven days a week, with appointment options that are convenient for you. From our five-storey Georgian townhouse in the heart of Bristol, we receive referrals from all over the South West. To date, we’ve placed more than 5,000 implants.
Your solution in Bristol
If you’re struggling with issues like loose dentures or multiple missing teeth, All-on-4 is a stable and long-lasting solution. We regularly see patients who can begin to eat, speak and smile with renewed confidence – often within a single day of treatment.
If you’d like to find out more or book an initial consultation, just get in touch.