Which is better all on four or all on six dental implants?

September 2, 2022

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If you’ve researched replacing missing teeth at all you’ll have come across dental implants! There are many health benefits to having dental implants and they’re one of the most recommended ways of replacing missing teeth. For those who are looking for full mouth dental implants, there is a fantastic treatment called all on four, or all on six dental implants (depending on the amount of implants opted for. Instead of replacing all of your missing teeth individually with implants, you can opt to have what is called a ‘permanent denture’ supported by four or six dental implants. This is often a great option for making the average cost of dental implants for your entire mouth lower, for those who have limited or compromised bone density and for those who want a simpler answer to full mouth reconstruction! But what’s better all on four dental implants or all on six dental implants? Keep reading and we’ll answer this! 

 

First, a little more about the dental implant treatment.
Whether you opt for all on four dental implants or all on six implants the process is the same, just with more implants! The treatment was first patented in 2003 and has revolutionised the way full mouth dental implants are performed. What are dental implants? The implant surgery includes surgically implanting a titanium implant (like a tooth root) into the jaw bone. This implant is then what your permanent denture can be fixed to. This treatment is also referred to as ‘same day dental implants’ because unlike individual implants the permanent denture can be fixed the same day.  Dental implants sound a lot worse than they are, not only will you be under local anaesthetic and won’t feel any pain, but methods of implant surgery have developed massively to reduce the time and surgical area of the implants. 

Dental Implants Hampshire
Dental Implants Hampshire

full mouth dental implants

Why are dental implants in general thought of as healthiest when replacing missing teeth? 

This answer may surprise you, but when we lose teeth the area of jaw bone that was supporting the tooth root can deteriorate and reduce in density. This is magnified in areas of extensive tooth loss. This is why when you see someone who has worn dentures for a long time, their lower jaw may appear more sunken. Replacing missing teeth with dental implants is a good way to maintain and prevent further deterioration of the jaw bone. This is why all on four or all on six dental implants are such fantastic treatments. 

 

Are all on four or all on six implants better?

As we mentioned above the treatment is the same regardless of how many implants you opt for, but is there a better option to go for? When it comes to replacing missing teeth, what’s best is very much based on your current oral condition. However the general consensus is that the more dental implants you have supporting the permanent denture the better, this is because the pressure can be lessened upon each individual implant by having six implants instead of four. In addition to this, each dental implant you have helps to reinforce and maintain the density in your jaw bone. We went into more detail about how this works above, but this is another huge benefit of having more than four dental implants. 

 

Why might someone opt for all on four dental implants instead of all on six? 

You may be wondering why so many people opt for all on four dental implants when there are massive benefits to all on six dental implants. The answer is simple, for those who do not have sufficient bone density all on four is a more suited option. It’s important to talk to your dentist about your options and which treatment would suit you best, they will conduct an X-Ray and CT scan to help them discover the best treatment for you. 

We hope that’s helped to clarify a few details surrounding the process of all on four and all on six dental implants! Want to find out more about this treatment? Why not contact one of our recommended dentists in your local area?

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