Missing teeth not only lowers your confidence but leads to many oral health issues; therefore, one should never ignore the problem and get a dental implant as a replacement for missing teeth. Out of all the dental implants, all 6 dental implants are considered best if you have enough bone structure in the jaw as it acts as an anchor for a bridge or over-denture, and it creates a permanent prosthesis with the help of 6 dental implants.

Issues Related to Missing Teeth:

• Limited Food Choice: without teeth, we are restricted to eating only soft and easy to chew food items because the process of chewing and biting becomes difficult. So, one might have to leave their favorite food items.
• Increase in Space Between the Remaining teeth: a missing tooth can create a space therefore allowing the natural teeth to migrate and result in poor occlusion.
• Speech Issues: missing teeth can cause speech problems since they are important in creating the right sound.
• Bone Loss: the process of chewing food stimulates the growth of the jawbone but since without teeth, the process becomes difficult, it causes bone loss.
• Disorientation of Shape and Structure of Face: missing teeth leads to skin sagging and changing the alignment of the face, which further makes us look older than our actual age.
• Difficulty in Maintaining Oral Hygiene: whenever we eat anything, few particles get stuck in the gap, which causes pain and discomfort. Moreover, it is difficult to clean the area, which can further lead to many issues related to oral hygiene.

Procedure:

Placing a dental plant is a three-step process, namely assessment, treatment, and permanent restoration.

• Assessment: The first step is to examine whether a patient is fit for a dental implant or not. The dentist conducts the examination with the help of X-rays and scans that show the anatomical structures in the mouth and the amount of bone loss, if any. If the conditions are ideal, the process starts with taking mouth impressions that are sent to the laboratory to build new teeth.
• Treatment: To avoid pain, patients are injected with sedatives or given anesthesia. The area where the implant is to be installed is cleaned thoroughly, and if there is a requirement for extraction, it can be done simultaneously, and the dental implant will be inserted into the jaw. Afterward, a temporary bridge is to be placed until the area is healed.
• Permanent Restoration: After a few months of healing the temporary pride is replaced with a better fitting and looking bridge over the implants. 

What is the Duration of All on 6 Dental Implant Procedure?

The whole treatment process takes 2 to 4 hours, depending upon the patient’s condition. Additionally, the treatment does not cause much pain so that you can resume your work the very next day. Finally, it takes 3 to 6 months to prepare the permanent posts, so overall it can take 8-10 months to complete the entire process.

How much Does the All on 6 Dental Implant Procedure Cost?

Since, all-on-6 dental implants are used to restore a complete arch of the teeth, the process requires multiple teeth implants to ensure the bridge is supported properly; therefore, the number of implants required depends upon the number of teeth you want to restore. Additionally, the cost of all on 6 dental implants depends upon various other factors such as:

• Missing teeth can reduce bone, so a bone graft is required to provide sufficient bone to anchor the post if that is the case.
• In case the level of sinus tissues is low, a sinus lift is required.
• It may include tooth extraction if it is required.

Other factors include pre-surgical workup that includes a cone beam CT scan and more.

Therefore, there are multiple factors upon which the cost of all on 6 dental implants depends. Also, it varies from one dental center to another as some premium centers offer discounts on dental procedures. In United States it can vary anywhere from $20K-$50K an arch. At Engel Dental Center/institute we charge from $17K to $25k per arch. 

How Much Recovery Time is Required for the Complete Process?

The recovery times depend upon the precautions you follow post-surgery. A little discomfort after the process is evident, you may take painkillers, antibiotics, and an antimicrobial mouth rinse for some time, as recommended by the dentist. You will be provided with the dos and don’ts that you need to follow religiously for a speedy recovery. Although the average recovery time is 6 months, it may vary from individual to individual. You should visit your dentist for regular follow-ups to avoid any issues with the implants.

What is the Process of Cleaning (All on one) Full Mouth Dental Implants?

Cleanliness and proper oral hygiene are essential for the timely recovery post dental implant procedure. Therefore, it becomes essential to keep your mouth clean and free from bacteria and plaque because they are the main reason for the failure of implants and infection.

Here are some of the tips to maintain your oral hygiene post dental implant procedure:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day or after meals with a soft bristle toothbrush.
• Floss daily with implant-specific floss.
• Nylon-coated brushes are recommended to clean even hard-to-reach places.
• You should avoid high-abrasive toothpaste.

What are the Benefits of All on 6 Dental Implants?

The benefits of dental implants are a lifelong replacement for the missing teeth with multiple other benefits such as:

• Eat Without Restrictions: since you get full dental implants, they behave like natural teeth, and you can eat food items that cause discomfort otherwise or are not recommended in the case of traditional dentures.
• Enhanced Aesthetics: the process can enhance the appearance by improving the shape and structure of the face, as implants are built accordingly.
• Hustle-Free Cleaning: unlike traditional dentures, dental implants are easy to clean.
• No Need for Removable Dentures: dental implants are a long-term solution for missing teeth. Since the implants are installed through surgery and a permanent post that looks like natural teeth are fixed, they remain intact, and there is no need for removable dentures.
• Younger Looking Appearance: the dentures help keep the skin tight and prevent sagging to give you younger-looking skin.
• Natural Looking Teeth: With the use of advanced technology, dental implants look more like natural teeth and do not come out easily.
• Life-Long Solution: All dental implants have a life span of a minimum of 25 years with proper oral hygiene; therefore, getting dental implants is an affordable lifelong solution.
• Affordable and Premium Procedure: The process is made less painful using advanced technology. You can also look for discounts and offers at a premium dental center to get the best deal on all on 6 dental implants.
• Low Chances of Bone Grafting: since the implant is installed in the void created by missing teeth, there is less chance of bone grafting as it keeps the permanent post intact in its place.
• Easy to Maintain Oral Hygiene: as they behave like natural teeth, it is easy to clean them regularly without taking them out.
• Speedy Recovery: if you get the procedure done by an expert and take all the necessary precautions, the recovery rate is better, and there are fewer chances of infections.
• Restores Smile: not only do dental implants replace your missing teeth, but they enhance your overall appearance and restore a bright and healthy smile.
• Improves oral health: as we discussed, the oral health issues we face without teeth, and dental implants function like normal teeth and help avoid many dental issues.

Who Can Get All on 6 Dental Implants?

The procedure for All on 6 dental implants is recommended for patients with a full arch or partially missing teeth or for those who want to enhance their dental aesthetics by replacing the existing teeth. But not everyone is eligible for a full dental implant, so here are the factors that could affect all on 6 dental implants treatment:

• Since all on 6 dental implants must be placed at strategic intervals on the upper or lower arch, it is important to ensure sufficient support from the surrounding bone. There may be significant bone loss. In such cases, you should only consult an expert as they can use the bone grafting technique to build the required bone.
• If a patient has speech issues because of missing teeth, they can choose dental implants.
• If you want to enhance your appearance.
• You can get rid of traditional removable dentures and get a full dental implant.

All on Four Vs. All on 6

Since installing both implants is the same, the difference is in the number of implants to be installed. It is believed that all on 6 dental procedures provide a stronger base for the prosthetic dental arch and are stronger and more comfortable. It also provides more stability to the jawbone.

However, both processes are beneficial for replacing multiple missing teeth and require the same amount of time in both the procedure and the recovery time. 

Also, to know which one is better, you can consult a dentist who is an expert in dental implants. They can guide you better on which dental implant is ideal for you.