All on 4 dental implants

To be eligible for All-on-4 dental implants your gums should be healthy. You should also have more missing or damaged teeth than savable teeth. As a guide, you should fit most of the following criteria:

• Been offered dentures by your dentist
• Have healthy gums (hygienist appointments available)
• Have stopped smoking (helps with recovery)
• Have no bone loss (bone grafts or pterygoid and zygomatic treatments available)

Many of the issues that would prevent dental implants from being successful can be fixed using supporting treatments. To identify if you are eligible for this treatment, please book a consultation. With an oral examination, X-rays and scans, we will be able to determine your eligibility. If issues are found, we will suggest what additional or alternative treatments are required. This is designed to give you back your confident smile.

10 reasons to get All-on-4 dental implants

There are many great reasons to get All-on-4 dental implants. We’ve compiled a list of the top 10 for you below:

1. Bite and chew without pain, enjoy meals again
2. Smile and laugh confidently, get only good comments about your teeth
3. Reverse premature ageing caused by missing teeth
4. Replace missing teeth
5. Replace damaged teeth
6. Have better smelling breath (if you quit smoking)
7. No more cavities
8. Lasts up to 20 years before needing renewal
9. Get perfect straight white teeth
10. Implants feel and perform just like natural teeth

If you’re tired of compromising your lifestyle because of issues with your teeth, contact YDS today. Call to discuss your issues before you book your consultation at your local YDS clinic (£95 fee applies).

Reasons not to consider All-on-4 dental implants

All-on-4 implants are not for everybody. To help you make the most informed decision we have highlighted reasons to consider against having this treatment.

• You have more healthy than damaged teeth. An implant-retained bridge or individual implants might be preferable to having healthy teeth removed.
• If you have significant bone loss you may not be able to get this treatment. You will need additional surgery on your bottom jawbone, or zygomatic or pterygoid implants on your top jawbone.
• If you have receding gums or gum disease. You will need additional treatments such as a hygienist appointment, or GBT (Guided Biofilm Therapy) before you can proceed.
• Medical or dental phobias (iatrophobia/dentophobia) can make treatments like all-on-4 very nerve wracking. Discuss this issue with your dentist before attending an appointment. Discuss how we can make your treatment as stress and pain-free as possible.
• If you live far away from your local YDS clinic attending appointments can be problematic. Ask about help with travel costs and a free stay at the 5-star Dakota Leeds hotel (Leeds clinic only, patient must be 60+ miles from the clinic).
• If you have bad credit you may find it a challenge to get finance for this costly but worthwhile and life-changing treatment. Be honest about your financial issues when discussing treatment with us to avoid affecting your credit score.

Why choose Yorkshire Dental Suite

There are 1,000s of cosmetic dentists around the UK, so why choose Yorkshire Dental Suite?

• We put your needs before our own, only honest and impartial advice given
• 1,000s of happy patients, rated 4.9 stars from over 7,000 Google reviews
• Nine clinics throughout the UK - we’re your local provider
• Highly skilled dental team (includes implant specialists and oral surgeons)
• Sedation makes any treatment pain free - ideal for phobic patients
• State-of-the-art clinics filled with the latest technology
• Our own in-house lab helps keep your costs down
• Maximum scores from the CQC (Care Quality Commission)
• Free 5-star hotel stay if you’re 60 miles away (Leeds appointments only)
• Finance available, we will shop the market to find a provider that fits your budget

Contact us today to discuss your options and book in your consultation.

Dental implants and smoking

If you smoke and are considering dental implants then now is a good time to quit. Smoking is a major cause of gum disease which can make you susceptible to complications even after your surgery. It causes bone loss, making you look artificially older than you are and slows down your recovery. If you continue to smoke after your implant surgery, bone loss around implants can cause them to fail. As a result, many implant specialists will not provide this treatment to smokers.

Yorkshire Dental Suite will in some cases provide implants to smokers. Contact us for details.

All-on-4 dental implants are a simple solution for those wishing to replace a full jaw of teeth with minimum surgery. The following guide will help you understand the terminology used and highlight potential issues and their solutions.

What is a dental implant?

All-on-4 dental implants are made up from several components. The result is a natural looking bridge of teeth secured using a minimum of four titanium implants. To help you better understand the treatment and terminology used, we have provided this simple guide.

What is an implant post?

The implant post, also called a screw in tooth, is what most people are referring to when they mention a dental implant.

The post is made from grade 5 titanium which prevents rejection. This is more easily accepted by your immune system compared to steel or lower grade titanium. This helps to prevent implant failure and gives your treatment a longer lifespan.

The post is screwed into your upper and/or lower jawbone. Over the next 3-4 months it will knit with your bone and become secure. The top of the implant has a screw thread used to connect to an abutment.

What is an implant abutment?

The implant abutment bridges the gap between the post and bridge, attaching to the post and extending up and out of the gum. Like the post, each abutment is made from titanium to prevent rejection. The top of the abutment has a screw thread used to fix the bridge to your jaw.

What is a zirconia bridge?

Zirconia bridges are made from metal coated in zirconium oxide. This is a durable ceramic that is 10x stronger than the natural enamel of your teeth. What’s more, zirconia is fully biocompatible to prevent rejection. This allows patients with metal allergies to undergo this potentially life-changing treatment. Each bridge is hand sculpted by our lab technicians specifically for you, resulting in a custom smile that lasts up to 20 years.

What is an implant screw?

A dental implant screw is used to secure your bridge to the abutment. In an All-on-4 treatment, this passes through the bridge and into the abutment. Screws are hidden behind special caps which are glued in place using dental ceramic. This prevents them from being seen when you laugh and smile, giving you a natural looking set of teeth.

What if I have bone loss?

Bone loss starts when you lose a tooth. The lack of root stops bone growth from being stimulated in your jaw. This causes artificial ageing which is externally seen as:

• Lines around your lips
• Puckering around your lips
• Sunken cheeks
• A weaker jawline

If you have bone loss and are considering dental implants, there are a number of treatments which can help.

Bone graft

A bone graft takes donor bone from you or a medical source, and grafts this bone onto your jaw. Your natural bone knits around this new material to create a strong base for implantation. Having a bone graft delays your treatment by between 3-6 months.

Bone grafts are available as an additional treatment. It is priced separately from your All-on-4 implants.

All-on-6 or All-on-8 dental implants

Depending on the severity, having All-on-4 implants with bone loss is solved by increasing the number of implants used. Called All-on-6 or All-on-8, these treatments help people with mild bone loss to secure a bridge in place using more anchor points.

In most cases, increasing the number of implants does not increase your costs. It can increase the time you spend in the dentist’s chair on the day of your treatment.

Sinus lift

A sinus lift is used when you have bone loss towards the back of your upper jaw, which stops implants from being successful. This procedure grafts bone to the back of your jaw underneath your sinus to provide support for implants.

A sinus lift is available as an additional treatment. It is priced separately from your All-on-4 implants.

Zygomatic implants

Zygomatic implants are used when you have bone loss in your upper jaw. These implants are longer than standard. They are positioned diagonally, reaching up along your upper jaw to secure in the Zygoma bone. This bypasses the affected area.

Yorkshire Dental Suite offers zygomatic All-on-4 dental implants at no additional cost.

Pterygoid implants

Pterygoid implants are used when you have bone loss in your upper jaw. These implants are longer than standard. They are positioned diagonally, reaching up along your upper jaw to secure in the Pterygomaxillary region. This bypasses the affected area.

Yorkshire Dental Suite offers pterygoid All-on-4 dental implants at no additional cost.

Free consultation

Once you submit your enquiry, a member of our consultation team will call you to discuss your treatment options, check your eligibility and provide a cost estimate. Take the opportunity to ask any questions you have until you feel confident enough to book in for an in-person consultation with a dentist.

Dental consult

When you visit your local Yorkshire Dental Suite clinic, you will be met by your dentist and invited into one of our state-of-the-art treatment rooms. In most cases you will have:

• Full oral examination
• X-rays
• CT scan
• Photographs

This costs just £95 and helps us to identify any issues that would prevent your All-on-4 implant treatment from being a success. You will then receive a treatment plan outlining your procedure with any associated costs. If you need finance, an associate can shop the market for you to find a finance agreement that suits you.

Remedial work

If issues have been found that would prevent your treatment from being a success, you will be offered remedial work to fix these issues. Remedial works typically cover one or more of the following:

• Gum disease (periodontitis) or gingivitis, requires a hygienist appointment and potentially antibiotics
• Bone loss requires a bone graft, sinus lift, zygomatic implants or pterygoid implants
• Teeth whitening for your natural teeth if you’re only having a top or bottom set of implants

Treatment day

1. On the day of your treatment, you will be greeted by your dentist and directed to one of our state-of-the art treatment rooms.
2. Your dentist will explain the procedure and outline the schedule for the day. Take the opportunity to ask any questions before your treatment starts.
3. You will be shown a chart and guided through your choices when picking a shade for your new teeth.
4. You will be offered sedation to make the procedure pain free. Discuss your options with the dentist to ensure you are comfortable.
5. Your dentist will remove any remaining teeth.
6. Four incisions will be made into your gum to expose the bone underneath.
7. Your dentist will create pilot holes, allowing the implant posts to be secured.
8. A minimum of four posts will be attached to your jawbone.
9. Abutments are fitted to your implants.
10. Your gums are sewn back up.
11. A temporary bridge of teeth is attached to your implants and screwed into place. This is worn while you recover, allowing your jawbone to knit to your implants and giving time for your gums to heal.

Trial fitting

After 3-4 months you will be invited back to the clinic to have a trial fitting. This uses a wax mould of your final bridges and is designed to identify any alignment issues that need fixing.

Final fitting

Shortly after your trial fitting your final monolithic zirconia bridges will be ready. You will be invited to the clinic to have your temporary bridge replaced.

How to clean and maintain your All-on-4 implants

Caring for temporary bridges

Temporary bridges are made from acrylic and not as durable as zirconia. These are worn for 3-4 months after your procedure, allowing your gums to heal and to give your jawbone time to knit to your implants. While wearing your temporary bridge you should:

• Choose soft foods for the first 24-48 hours
• Avoid hard, crunchy and sticky food
• Brush using a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, paying particular attention to where the bridge meets your gums
• Floss or use an interdental brush to clean between your teeth
• Rinse with a good-quality mouthwash
• Do not bite your pen, pen lids or other objects
• Stop smoking. This can cause gum disease and discolour your bridge

Caring for monolithic zirconia bridges

While your monolithic zirconia bridges are 10x stronger than natural teeth, this does not mean that they are indestructible. You should care for them as if they are natural teeth. To help you care for your new All-on-4 dental implants please follow this guidance:

• Avoid biting into hard objects
• To keep your teeth white, avoid tomato or soy-based sauces e.g. curry, bolognaise, chow mein, red wine and other foods that could stain your teeth
• If you do eat staining foods or drinks swill your mouth with water throughout your meal
• Brush using a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, paying particular attention to where your bridge meets your gums
• Floss or use an interdental brush to clean between your teeth
• Rinse with a good-quality mouthwash
• Stop smoking. This can cause gum disease and discolour your bridge

All-on-4 dental implants cost from £15,995. This covers:

• Sedation
• Tooth extraction
• Oral surgery
• Minimum of four titanium implants (maximum of eight at no extra cost)
• Zygomatic and pterygoid implants at no extra cost
• Titanium abutments
• Temporary bridge
• Wax prototype
• Ultra-aesthetic monolithic zirconia bridge containing up to 14 teeth

Consultation fees

Please note that before your treatment can begin there is a £95 consultation fee. This covers X-rays, CT scans, photographs, treatment plan and a full oral examination. If you do not choose to continue past this point there are no additional charges.

Help with travel

If you are attending our Leeds clinic and are travelling more than 60 miles for your treatment, ask about help with travel. Don’t forget to request a free overnight stay at the 5-star Dakota Leeds hotel in the city centre.

Thanks to sedation, getting All-on-4 dental implants is a pain-free procedure. Whether you are a veteran of cosmetic dentistry, or a first-time patient battling with a dental phobia, the kind and courteous staff at YDS will listen to your concerns. We will prescribe the right mix of sedation for you.

Types of pain management

There are three basic types of sedation used in dental procedures. Your dentist can use a combination to help you stay calm, pain free and unaware of the procedure if required.

• Gas (nitrous oxide): Keeps you relaxed, ideal for minor procedures
• Oral: A pill that makes you drowsy, ideal for moderate procedures
• IV: An injection, ideal for complex procedures where your awareness can be controlled to minimise discomfort

Recovery pain

Your All-on-4 procedure uses sedation to achieve a pain-free experience. This cannot be continued when you return home.

Over the next few weeks, you will experience sore gums as they heal around your implants and abutments. To treat this, use your standard over-the-counter pain medication.

You may experience some bleeding. This is natural and to be expected. If bleeding continues for several days please contact your dentist.

Many people complain that pain is highest on the 2nd or 3rd day after your implant treatment. This is due to a natural process where your blood clots, increasing your blood pressure. Again, take over-the-counter pain medication to treat this discomfort.

If you experience pain and need help always contact your dentist for assistance.

When preparing for All-on-4 dental implants you should have already had a consultation and oral health check. This helps to identify any underlying issues that would otherwise prevent your implant surgery from being successful. Any gum disease, plaque and, if required, bone graft treatments should be finalised.

It is important that you do not drink alcohol and have ideally stopped smoking before you start your teeth implant treatment. You should be well hydrated. This prevents further bone loss and promotes improved healing and fewer complications.

Yorkshire Dental Suite has a wide range of All-on-4 dental implant finance options for you to consider. This allows us to tailor a package to your individual circumstances. Contact us today to discuss how you can spread the cost with dental implant finance.

All-on-4 dental implants differ from a single tooth implant in a small but significant way.

When replacing a full mouth of teeth it is not necessary to replace each tooth individually. With All-on-4, a bridge containing up to 14 teeth can be supported by just four dental implants. This is instead of 14 individual implants topped with porcelain crowns. This reduces the amount of surgery required, minimises risk and speeds up both surgery and recovery time.

The All-on-4 dental implant procedure takes approximately seven hours to be completed. This covers the surgical procedure and installation of implants, abutments and a temporary acrylic bridge. If you include the initial consultation and recovery time, the entire process typically takes between three and four months.

The success rate of All-on-4 dental implants is 94% after the first five years. According to a study by the Journal of American Dental Association, 99% of bridges last at least 10 years. (Estimated lifespan of implants is 20 years).

To get the cheapest All-on-4 dental implants you must consider the lifetime cost of both the treatment and aftercare.

The basic ways to keep treatment costs down are to have healthy gums and jawbones. Needing dental implants typically means having health issues in these areas.

In the UK the initial treatment can be 10x the cost compared to an overseas clinic. However, when viewed over a longer period of time this price increase can become effectively zero!

Why UK dentists are more expensive

UK dentists have to adhere to government standards and are held to account by multiple governing agencies. This means your treatment is conducted to the highest standards, using the latest methods and equipment with all work insured.

Overseas providers are not held to the same standards. A documentary created by the BBC titled  “Turkey Teeth: Bargain Smiles or Big Mistake?” found that 40% of the overseas dentists approached recommended unnecessary treatments or mis-sold one treatment as another. We have found that cheap All-on-4 dental implant treatments overseas also have the following issues...

• Offer full treatments over a week or fortnight. Your gums take up to four months to heal. This means that treatments carried out in a few weeks often fail after a few years and require additional time and expense to rectify.
• Use low grade titanium implants: Grade 1 and 2 titanium implants corrode, causing implants to fail. If they fail after a few years, additional time and expense is needed to rectify.
• UK dentists will not provide aftercare. If you have issues and want help from a UK dentist then most dentists will not help you. This is because they would be taking on the liability of the original overseas dentist. This means if you have problems you will incur additional time and expense.

Generally All-on-4 dental implants are not available on the NHS. You may be eligible if:

• You have had an accident that has damaged your teeth
• You have a condition that prevents you from wearing dentures

Typically, implants provided by the NHS tend to be functional and not created for their aesthetic appeal. When replacing individual teeth, a dull metallic tooth will be used instead of a natural looking porcelain crown. Arches can be made from acrylic not zirconia. This means you will not have the freedom to eat what you like and will have to restrict your diet to soft foods only.

Discuss getting All-on-4 dental implants with your NHS dentist or call Yorkshire Dental Suite to discuss your finance options.

Gum disease will need to be treated before you can have dental implants. Your dentist will identify your issues and suggest treatment options. A dental hygienist will remove plaque, bacteria and treat below the gum line.

Gum disease after getting All-on-4 dental implants

If you have had dental implants and have gum disease then you will need to visit your dentist to get a hygienist appointment. After this you should improve your oral hygiene routine. Start by stopping smoking and making sure to brush and floss your implants more effectively. Discuss this during your hygienist appointment.

We could say that the downside of having All-on-4 dental implants is having to fend off the compliments you will get. There are some issues you should be aware of:

• High cost: All-on-4 implants are one of the most expensive cosmetic dental treatments. however, the benefits are worth the high price tag
• Non-reversible; once you have implants you cannot get your natural teeth back
• Recovery time: it can take up to 4 months for your gums to stop being sore and fully heal
• Maintenance, to prevent gum disease and other issues you will need to stop smoking and thoroughly brush your teeth twice a day
• Cannot be whitened, unlike natural teeth, dental implants cannot be whitened using over the counter treatments (contact your hygienist if your teeth have started to become dull)
• Fragility; like your natural teeth, implants are not indestructible - you will need to avoid hard foods
• Failure, dental implants can fail and become loose

Speak to your dentist if any of these issues are a concern.

All-on-4 dental implants last up to 20 years, giving you the ability to bite, chew, speak and smile confidently. If your implants are old, and you are considering renewal please speak to your dentist. There are a wide range of treatment options, from new implants and bridges to snap-on overdentures or regular dentures.