Do I Really Need All On 4 Implants or Can I Get 3 Instead?

If you’ve lost a lot of teeth and have been told by your dentist that you have enough bone left to do All on 4 implants, you may be wondering if that’s extreme and whether or not you have other alternatives available to you.

Here’s something to consider, though: All on 4 implants balance your prosthesis. Dentures with no additional support stay in place with suction or adhesives. And while they’re the traditional cost-effective replacement because they work well and look relatively natural, they don’t feel natural.

Additionally, some people struggle with movement in the appliance or keeping them in place.

Imagine if you add a single dental implant to the appliance. You may be able to keep it in place better, but it wouldn’t improve the stability.

If you add a second implant, the retention will improve, but again, there will still be a significant area without an implant which means that stability will continue to be an issue.

But as you add additional anchors, the stability of the prosthesis increases. So while you could theoretically function with a denture that’s only anchored in two or three places, it wouldn’t be as secure as a denture that is anchored in four or six places.

And while dental implants are successful up to 98% of the time, getting fewer implants does not necessarily mean greater success.

You see, the largest determining factor of success is the dentist you choose.

Doctors who frequently place implants, such as oral surgeons, prosthodontists, periodontists, and a handful of general dentists like MGS Dental in Tewksbury, MA who’ve had extra training, provide statistically better outcomes for their patients.

Yes, this is due in part because they are more skilled, but another reason is that they look at each case individually. They know when a person isn’t a good candidate, as well as what options are going to provide the highest success rates for that particular patient.

Sure, you might find a doctor who will only place two implants for you. But that won’t necessarily reduce the risk.

Your best bet when you’re facing questions about your dental care is to find a multi-specialty dentist like MGS Dental in Tewksbury, MA who can advise you on the best treatment plan specific to your needs. Book your appointment now for a consultation.