All on 4 Dental Implants

All on 4 Dental Implants System Overview

 All on 4 Dental Implants Overview

The all-on-4 dental implants are a system developed as a revolutionary approach for patients who have lost many teeth, or are about to lose all their teeth. It is basically a dental bridge fitted onto 4 dental implants and it has been increasingly popular as an alternative for dentures. With the help of the all-on-4 dental implants system, you get the full functions of your mouth restored and thus are able to eat and chew whatever you like or crave.

Common Dental Implants in All on 4 Types

As with single dental implants - there are many types of implant materials used in the all on 4 systems. These are:

• Porcelain - can mimic the look and feel of natural teeth and doesn't absorb stains, odors, or bacteria: with a staged approach, you can achieve more natural results. The abutment of the porcelain dental implant is made from titanium or zirconium and the crown from porcelain. Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns with an all porcelain collar can eliminate the underlying metal or gold margin at the gum line as gums recede over time.

• Titanium - is most appropriate when the other jaw has a denture, natural teeth or a bridge; tooth wear to opposing teeth is kept to a minimum; the advantage is that the tissues, like the gum, can be reproduced very naturally. The abutment of the titanium dental implant is made from titanium and the crown from porcelain. Porcelain-fused-to-titanium crowns with an all porcelain collar won’t expose the titanium margin at the gum line as gums recede over time.

• Ceramic - the biggest advantage is the guarantee of the most natural and state-of-the-art all-on-4 structure, made of tooth colored material which makes every smile very attractive. The abutment of the ceramic dental implant is made from ceramic and the crown from the same fabric. The one-piece zirconium implant has no prosthetic connections, where bacteria can grow, and therefore the gum health improves.

• Gold - less tooth structure needs to be removed with this noble metal structure and withstands biting and chewing forces well and probably last the longest. But the main drawback is the metallic color. The abutment of the gold dental implant is made from gold and the crown from the same material, while the implant is usually from titanium. Patients with strong bites and those with habits such as grinding or clenching might be better served with a gold crown. For aesthetic purpose, porcelain-fused-to-gold crowns with an all porcelain collar can eliminate the underlying metal or gold margin at the gum line as gums recede over time.

Note: If your jaw bone structure does not allow you to get dental implants or dental implants systems you can benefit from sinus lifting or box technique.

The All on 4 Procedure

Unlike uncomfortable dentures, the all-on-4 structure is fixed in place in your mouth using four dental implants. The all-on-4 technique attaches a set of beautiful new teeth to the dental implants and they can only be removed by your dentist.

The first step of the procedure is the removal of the failing teeth, if required. Without needing time to heel, the next step is the immediate placement of a minimum of four dental implants. A further step is fixing high-quality temporary teeth. This way the patients can be free from their dentures on the day of implant placement. Finally, once the healing period is over and the implants have integrated with the bone, making it safe for the high-quality, durable permanent fixed bridge is to be fitted.

Just a few years ago the permanent solution for an arch of missing teeth requested six or more dental implants and, usually, the patient needed a year or more of healing. During the entire treatment the patient was forced to wear denture in order to go on with the daily activities. With the all-on-4 same day procedure, you can have an interim set of implant-supported teeth the same day.

Cost of All-On-4 Dental Implants

The costs of the all-on-4 dental implants may vary from region to region. While in USA, Australia, Western Europe or UK are very high for this dental procedure, in Eastern Europe in countries like Poland or Hungary or in Asia in countries like Thailand the costs are cut in half. For example, in UK the price for all-on-4 dental implant per jaw is 20,000 USD, in Poland the price is 7,900 USD and in Thailand is 9,999 USD.

Advantages of All-on-4 Procedure

The benefits of all-on-4 dental implant procedure are numerous, besides the obvious beautiful teeth supported by dental implants:

• You will recover the joy of eating comfortably the food you crave
• No more dentures, you’ll have a full arch of teeth in just one day
• Unlike traditional dental implants, you will be spared by the pain and you won’t endure dental work for several days as usual for dental implants procedure
• Minimal recovery time, ensuring long time results
• Extended warranty – the all-on-4 dental implants system can last a lifetime
• Attractive look and feel of natural teeth
• Younger aspect and better state of mind for most patients

If you are tired of dentures, have lost or you are about to lose teeth,or have been told you are not a candidate for traditional implants, the all-on-4 dental implants may be the best option for you. 

For more information on  dental implants systems and affordable prices worldwide,

 contact us!

Best Dentists in Costa Rica

Best Dentists in Costa Rica

Travelling to any destination like Costa Rica for dental care posts a lot of safety concerns. You have to do a thorough research before choosing your dentist.

You should know that all dentists should be licensed in one or both of the two areas:  Prosthodontics and Orthodontics. Also, depending on the procedures, all dentists should be familiar with full mouth reconstructive surgery, various types of imaging, CAD/CAM restoration etc.

Some of the best dentists in Costa Rica are:

Dr. Delfin Barquero     

DaVinci’s Esthetic and Implant Dentistry

After graduating from Universidad de Costa Rica with his dental degree, Dr. Barquero earned prosthodontist certification. He has also completed implant training and coursework in functional occlusion and total prostheses. As the director at Davinci’s Designers Dental Group, Dr. Barquero prioritizes continuing education and is adamant that every patient be treated as a unique and precious individual.

Dr. Juan Manuel Donato      

Oral Med Center  

Dr. Juan Manuel Donato is a ADA MEMBER (American Dental Association) and he specializes in Implantology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

Dr. Dario Chaves              

Chaves Dental Care

Dr. Darío Chaves graduated in 2002 as DDS from University of Costa Rica (UCR). Dr. Chaves opened his clinic in 2003 with one goal in mind: Give to the people on the Pacific Coast the best dental services available. In addition to state-of-the-art cosmetic procedures such as porcelain veneers, esthetic porcelain crowns, implants and teeth whitening, the clinic will take care of your general dental needs, such as non-surgical periodontal therapy, tooth-colored fillings, bridges, root canals, implants, dentures and partials.

If you want to have high quality dental care done in Costa Rica, then choose some of the best dentists.

If you need more information about the best dentists in Costa Rica, do not hesitate to contact us!

How to Make Dental Implants Last

When dental implants are placed successfully, more and more patients can speak, eat and chew once again- leading to a more comfortable and better quality of life.

How to Make Dental Implants Last

Good dental hygiene must be performed before, during, and after dental implant surgery to ensure the maintenance of the implant and the remaining natural teeth. But most patients are alarmed on what kind of maintenance their implants should require. Should the implant be brushed and flossed like regular teeth? What should they do when food gets underneath the prosthesis? Here is advice dental hygienists would give to make your implants last a lifetime.

Avoid smoking. Should you decide to get implants, decide to quit smoking completely. Sometimes, during the implant placement stage, the jawbone has failed to fuse satisfactorily to the metal implant. If you smoke, this can impede with the healing process and contribute to implant complications and failure. When osseointegration fails, your dentist will remove the implant, clean-up the bone and perform the procedure once again within a month or two.

Perform consistent oral hygiene. Like your natural teeth, you must keep your artificial teeth and gum tissue clean by using interdental brushes. This type of brush slides between your teeth, which can help clean every nook around your teeth, around the gum line and metal posts.

Use low-abrasive dental products. The tooth gel or paste must low-abrasive to avoid scratching the the surface of the dental implants. Avoid paste or powders (dentifrice) that has baking soda, sodium fluoride (APF >3.0), stannous fluoride, smoker’s toothpaste and stain removers.

Visit your dentist regularly. Schedule biannual or yearly check-ups to maintain proper functioning of your dental implants.

Avoid teeth-damaging habits. Avoid chewing hard candy or ice because doing so can break your natural teeth and dental crowns. Avoid too much caffeine and smoking (as stated above) because this causes damaging teeth stains. In case you suffer from teeth grinding, seek treatment immediately.

If you have further questions about maintaining your dental implants, please do not hesitate to contact us!

Should I make an appointment before visiting my dentist?

Do you ask yourself, should I make an appointment before visiting my dentist? Doing your research and booking your appointment with your dentist early on before travelling to Mexico has a lot of benefits. However, you may be surprised that the answer to this question is either a yes or no, but probably it depends on the situation you are in.

If you plan to visit your dentist during peak season (December-March) in Mexico or particularly in Los Algodones, then you probably need to book an appointment. At this time, expect that there arelong border waits and clinic waits. Most hotels and restaurants are jam packed too so it’s better to book early not just your dentist’s appointment, but also your reservations for airfare and hotel accommodation. This will help avoid the long waits so that you can still enjoy your dental experience.

If you’re just travelling to Mexico for a dental cleaning, you can go to the dentist without making an appointment.

If you’re travelling to Mexico to have specialty dentistry work done like placing veneers or a root canal (or any dental procedure that needs numbing or sedation), then the best way would be to research beforehand and book an appointment. In fact, you also need to go one step ahead to make sure you get to book the exact dentist you need.

Another situation to consider is that most special procedures involve pain and you might need asedative or anxiolytic like Valium. In Mexico, sedation and nitrous oxide (gas) is not a standard procedure unlike in Canada and the US where you can opt to be sedated for every treatment, even when your dentist is placing a simple dental filling on one tooth.

However, you can opt to have a local anesthetic but for patients who require anxiety or sedation, it is important to book and research for a dentist who performs this or can contact a licensed anesthesiologist beforehand, so your treatment will be less stressful. This way, your dentist will know what to do in case you need sedation and the licensed anesthesiologist will be contacted beforehand.

If you’re just travelling to Mexico for a dental cleaning or any simple dental procedure, you can go to the dentist without booking an appointment. Because of the array of dental offices that can provide this simple dental service, you can just be a walk-in patient! In 15-20 minutes you might be done and you can go back to enjoy that margarita or fish tacos you’ve been craving for in Mexico!

What is a Dentists Specialization?

In our previous post, we have discussed the steps in finding the dentist you need for your dental care abroad. Now, let’s move on to know what is a dentists specialization. Most dentists study a particular area of practice to be able to perform certain dental procedures. These dental professionals may limit their practices under the scope of their specialties.

According to the American Dental Association (ADA) and the New York State University (Education Department), here is a list of dental specialists recognized by their organizations. Also included is a list of common procedures performed under each dental specialty – so we could easily know what specialist to consult when you have dental concerns.

Can you guess the dentist’s specialization?

PROSTHODONTIST (RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY SPECIALIST)

Specializes in the following procedures:

• Dental Implants
• Porcelain Crowns & Fixed Bridges
• Tooth-Colored Dental Fillings
• Inlays, Onlays & Veneers
• They are also trained to perform Root Canal Therapy.

ENDODONTIST (ROOT CANAL SPECIALIST)

• May perform procedures for Dental Trauma & Cracked teeth.

ORTHODONTIST & DENTOFACIAL DENTISTRY (BITE AND DENTAL BRACES SPECIALIST)

Application of the following:

• Dental Braces & Retainers
• Treatment of Malocclusions (improper bites)

ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGEONS (SPECIALIZES IN TOOTH EXTRACTION AND ORAL SURGERY)

Other treatments performed:

• Maxillofacial Regeneration (Facial Reconstruction through Advanced Stem Cell technique)
• Head and Neck Reconstruction (Head and Neck Plastic Surgery)
• Head and Neck Cancer or Microvascular Reconstruction
• Cranio-maxillofacial Trauma
• Craniofacial Surgery/Cleft Surgery/Pediatric Maxillofacial surgery
• Cosmetic Facial Surgery

PERIODONTIST (GUM DISEASE SPECIALISTS)

• Treatment of Gingivitis (swollen, bleeding gums); Periodontitis (untreated Gingivitis)

PEDODONTIST (DENTIST FOR CHILDREN)

• Provides prevention teachings on proper diet, fluoride usage and oral hygiene practices.
• Also deals with dental caries (tooth decay).

ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL RADIOLOGIST (IMAGING SPECIALIST)

• Uses imaging technologies to diagnose diseases in the head and neck region.

ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL PATHOLOGIST

• Studies the causes of mouth diseases.

PUBLIC HEALTH DENTIST

• Helps in promoting good dental health and controlling dental diseases in a community.

http://www.mexicoborderdentist.com/what-is-a-dentists-specialization/