In Jacksonville, Florida, one of the most common dental issues is tooth loss, which can cause a lot of additional issues. However, at Dental Arts of Florida, we have several options for tooth replacement, including All-on-4.
In this article, we'll explain what you need to know about All-on-4 dental implants to help you decide if this option is right for you.
All-on-4 dental implants is a surgical procedure. Therefore, you can expect to experience some pain/discomfort for up to 3 days following the procedure. Here's what you can expect:
Ideally, you should rest for about 72 hours and, if you had sedation, have someone stay with you for the first 12 hours in case there are any issues.
For the first 24 hours, you may have significant swelling. During this time, apply an ice pack to both sides of your face. After 24 hours, you can switch to moist heat.
Some patients experience bruising following surgery, which typically shows up a few days later. However, it will resolve after the first week.
Avoid pulling on your lips/cheeks to look at the surgical site, as this may tear the sutures and delay healing. Additionally, don't rinse or spit for the first 24 hours.
Follow any aftercare instructions and take prescriptions as directed by the dental team.
Avoid physical activities such as exercise and heavy lifting for the first week following surgery, as an elevated heart rate can promote bleeding and delay healing.
Make sure that you stay hydrated and make sure that you stick to a liquid diet for the first 2 weeks. After that, you'll need to transition to a soft foods diet for up to 3 months. Follow up with the dentist to find out when you can transition back to your regular diet.
If you have some redness/bleeding during the first 24 hours, try biting on a gauze pad for 30 minutes. If that doesn't stop the bleeding, contact the clinic and schedule a time to get back in the office.
If you are a smoker, it is recommended that you quit for at least the first week, as it can dry out mouth tissues and delay healing.
If you have been dealing with missing teeth for some time, All-on-4 treatment will ultimately get you back to your normal diet. However, it is important to understand that it will take some time.
For the first two weeks following the procedure, you'll want to stick to a liquid diet. This will allow your mouth time to adjust to the implants and overdenture. After two weeks, you can transition to a soft, solid food diet for about 3 months. During this time, osseointegration will be taking place. If you eat tough/hard foods, you can cause the implants to shift, disrupting the healing process- which could cause implant failure.
After 3 months, you should be able to transition back to your normal diet.
All-on-4 treatment offers several benefits that other tooth replacement options do not, including:
Before - All on 4
After - All on 4
If you are interested in finding out if you are a candidate for All-on-4 dental implants, schedule your consultation with Dr. Tepedino at Dental Arts of Florida. There are several factors used to determine candidacy:
Good overall health: typically, anesthesia is required to place implants, which means patients must be in good overall health and able to undergo surgery. It's important to understand that diabetic patients and those who are taking antidepressants have a higher risk of implant failure.
Good oral health: patients with gum disease or other oral diseases must have those conditions treated prior to surgery. A history of gum disease will not disqualify patients from the procedure but will increase the risk of implant failure.
Bone density: during the consultation, we will evaluate your bone density. Most patients should not have a problem, but if you do not have adequate bone density, a bone graft may be required.
Lifestyle habits: habits such as smoking increase your risk of implant failure. If you are a smoker, we recommend that you quit- at least during the procedure and healing process.
If you are in or near Jacksonville, Florida, let Dr. Tepedino and the team take care of your smile. We have the experience and expertise to handle all of your dental needs. We are located on Gate Parkway. We are open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Monday & Tuesday and Thursday through Sunday. On Wednesdays, we are available by appointment only.
The team at Dental Arts of Florida in Jacksonville gets a lot of questions about All-on-4 dental implants, as well as other tooth replacement options. Dr. Tepedino will be more than happy to sit down with you and discuss your questions and concerns. Below we will answer some of the questions we hear most often about All-on-4 dental implants:
Cleaning All-on-4 dental implants is a lot like cleaning your natural teeth:
No matter how meticulous you are with cleaning your All-on-4 dental implants, you must make sure to visit the dentist every 6 months for a thorough cleaning and exam.
For up to 2 weeks following surgery, you will have some swelling and discomfort. You may wish to stick to a liquid diet during this time to avoid having to chew.
After 2 weeks and for up to 3 months, you'll want to stick to a soft foods diet. This is because the jaw is still healing and fusing with the implants. If you try to eat anything hard, it could cause the implants to shift, which can result in problems healing and ultimately implant failure.
Once healing is complete, you can eat anything you like.
The cost of All-on-4 dental implants is typically around $15,000 per arch but can vary depending on several factors. The factors that impact the cost of All-on-4 include additional procedures required (extractions, sedation, etc), how many implants are required, the type of implant used (titanium vs. zirconia), and much more.
Love the customer service and professionalism of the staff. Great location, convenient and typically able to get appointments in a matter of days.
Great office staff and exemplary care. Same day appointments for urgent issues and state of the art office. Also handles most dental concerns. Highly recommended.
I Thought Dr Trepidino was first class professional and knew what he was doing... Very polite. And kind. And his staff were gregarious folks as well..
Fantastic Staff, great job taking care of the patient to make sure they are comfortable at all times. Doctor is amazing. Can't say enough about this Dentist.
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Dr. Fred Tepedino comes from a long line of dentists spanning four generations. He received his Doctorate in Dental Medicine from Nova Southeastern University and graduated with Honors in Periodontology. Always furthering his education and abilities, Dr. Tepedino continued his surgical training to achieve a Fellowship with The International Dental Implant Association and training in Advanced Alveolar Reconstruction. Taking the time to listen to his patients and hear their perspective on their oral health and dental needs, Dr. Tepedino establishes trust and rapport with them. Ever a perfectionist, Dr. Tepedino provides a high level of care and skill that truly set his practice apart.
