Here’s what to expect for your All-on-4 dental treatment

It’s normal to be nervous before an invasive procedure like getting All-on-4® dental implants, but our staff at Pacific Northwest Periodontics is with you every step of the way to help you feel calm throughout the process. By being knowledgeable about what’s going to happen, you can feel in control and ready for your big day. In this blog post, we’ll outline what you can expect when you come in for your new teeth!

You’ve had your consultation, determined your needs, met with Dr. Rapoport or Dr. Schuler, and probably did a good amount of research at home. Good for you! This is a big moment in your life and we’re glad you’re taking it seriously and learning all you can. To get the last jitters out before your All-on-4 treatment, here’s what to expect leading up to and during your operation:

  • You’ll come in once or twice prior to surgery. On these days, you’ll get to meet the team who will help in your procedure, including both your doctor and your anesthesiologist. We’ll take impressions and other measurements so we can ensure you get the smile you want. You’ll also speak with your anesthesiologist, who will answer any questions you may have and discuss the anesthesia process with you.
  • You’ll have your doctor’s undivided attention. We only schedule one patient per day for an All-on-4 procedure. This means Dr. Rapoport or Dr. Schuler will be helping you and only you. He’ll extract any teeth necessary and place your implants. Because of the one-on-one attention and new technology, the entire procedure for both arches will be done by late afternoon. Being able to complete everything in one day is important for your busy schedule, and we’re happy we can do it so quickly.
  • Your doctors will maintain the highest technical standards. Part of the reason for you to have a separate anesthesiologist, instead of your doctor, is so the highest technical standards are met. Both Dr. Rapoport and Dr. Schuler believe it’s vital for one of them to perform the surgery and for a separate anesthesiologist to administer and monitor your sedation. By doing this, the doctor can focus on the procedure and the anesthesiologist can ensure you’re comfortable and the surgery meets anesthesia protocols.
  • You’ll leave with a set of temporary teeth. Don’t expect to have your brand new set of teeth when you wake up from the anesthesia. The day of your surgery, you’ll go home with a set of temporary teeth. These are fully functional, aesthetic teeth you’ll wear while waiting for your implants to heal. And bonus — you’ll get to keep both sets after you get your new, final teeth in case you ever need to take them out.

We’re thrilled to be a part of your plans for a new smile. We hope this information helps you be calm and prepared as you continue in your dental health journey. Please reach out to us with any other questions you may have before your surgery. And read here if you’re curious about what to expect after your All-on-4 treatment.

5 Things You Should Do After Your All-On-4 Dental Procedure

You can rest assured knowing your teeth are in good hands with Dr. Rapoport and Dr. Schuler at Pacific Northwest Periodontics.They, along with their knowledgeable staff, will make you comfortable the moment you walk in the door, but what happens when you leave after your All-on-4® treatment? Pacific Northwest Periodontics wants you to have a positive experience, so follow these five steps after your procedure to ensure comfort and long-lasting teeth.

1. Relax after your All-on-4 treatment!

Thanks to our same-day implant procedure, you’ll leave our office and be on your way home by late afternoon! Take that time to relax and be comfortable in your home. You should expect a call from your doctor sometime that evening to answer any questions you may have and to give additional instructions for you to have postoperative comfort.

2. Perform post-treatment care your doctor recommends

Wondering what foods you can eat after your All-on-4 dental procedure? Unsure of how to clean your new teeth? Your doctor will give you detailed instructions on what you can eat, when to take your prescribed analgesic medications, and how to care for your new teeth. These, and more, are all valid questions while your implants are healing. Over the next several weeks, you’ll have regular follow-up visits to ask questions and for your doctor to monitor your progress and the healing of your implants. During these visits, you’ll receive instruction if you need to adjust your care routine at all.

3. Receive your beautiful, new teeth!

Photo by Edward Cisneros on UnsplashUntil today, you’ve had your set of temporary, fully functional teeth to wear while waiting for your implants to heal. Now that your implants have healed, we’ll place your final teeth! Your new full-arch set of teeth will be very strong while still giving you a natural smile. And unlike most offices, we actually let you keep your two new sets of teeth. If for some reason in the future your final new teeth need to be removed for cleaning or repair, you’ll have your other set to keep you smiling daily.

4. Wear your night guard regularly

After the time and money you spent on your All-on-4 dental procedure, healing, and placement of your new teeth, you’ll want to keep your teeth in excellent condition! To do this, it’s very important to wear your night guard over your new teeth each night. This protects your new teeth from any clenching or grinding you may do at night. Make sure to also brush and floss your new teeth regularly, just as you would for your natural teeth.

5. Come for check-up appointments

By getting your All-on-4 treatment through Pacific Northwest Periodontics, you’ll also receive 12 months of any needed follow-up at no extra charge. After your year is up, make sure to still visit for annual check-ups.

If you follow these five steps after your procedure, you’ll be smiling and showing off your new teeth in no time! And, of course, Pacific Northwest Periodontics is always happy to help with any questions that may come up after your All-on-4 procedure.

How do I know if I need the All-on-4 dental treatment?

At Pacific Northwest Periodontics, we believe in saving your natural teeth whenever feasible. However, there are situations where teeth are too damaged, decayed, or loose to be saved; we’re here to help you through that situation. We can replace individual teeth, multiple teeth, or all of your teeth. If you’re looking into replacing all of your teeth through our All-on-4® dental treatment, read on to see if you meet the criteria.

As we see it, there are three main situations that warrant a full-arch replacement set.

Do you currently wear dentures?

If you currently wear dentures, you’re definitely a viable candidate for All-on-4 dental implants. You’ll benefit from the procedure just as someone who is missing teeth or has tooth decay would. If you’re tired of dentures slipping, irritating your gums, or not providing full chewing power, the All-on-4 procedure is probably a good option. The procedure will leave you with beautiful, new teeth that have 80 percent of natural biting and chewing power.

Dr. Rapoport and Dr. Schuler are both experienced periodontists and specialists in dental implant procedures who would be happy to help you make an informed decision about whether to switch from dentures to All-on-4 dental implants.

Do you have broken-down teeth?

Maybe you’ve had gum disease, an accident, or just haven’t visited the dentist for a while and have loose, damaged, or severely decayed teeth as a result. Dr. Rapoport and Dr. Schuler are highly skilled at saving teeth and will work hard to do so whenever possible. Sometimes, however, saving teeth isn’t the best option.

In this situation, Dr. Rapoport and Dr. Schuler are happy to discuss your options with you and determine the best procedure to move forward with. If the majority of your teeth are severely decayed, you may want to pursue getting the full-arch set of replacement teeth. If only one tooth or a few teeth are greatly affected, you may want to pursue replacing individual teeth instead of all of them. Our doctors are qualified to help you make a good decision.

Are you currently missing lots of teeth?

According to the American College of Prosthodontists, 120 million people in the U.S. are missing at least one tooth and more than 36 million don’t have any teeth. Tooth loss is more common than you may think, and there’s no reason to be embarrassed if it affects you.

When there are no teeth to save, Pacific Northwest Periodontics is thrilled to help you replace your teeth. The procedure you decide on will largely depend on how many teeth are missing. If the majority of your teeth are gone, the All-on-4 dental implants are most likely the way to go.

Even if you have severe bone loss, we have the special technology to give you high-quality new teeth. We are currently offering a full exam, digital X-rays, a CT scan (as needed), and a consultation for only $99. The usual value of these services is $590. Come into our office today so we can help you have a confident smile.