Last month, I had a consultation with a dentist about stabilizing my dentures. They don’t have to be perfectly stable, but I do not want them sliding around anymore. The dentist recommends all on 4 implants. When he told me the cost, I told him that is way out of my budget, and I will have to explore my options. He quickly said that there are no other options because I’ve worn dentures too long. He said that his rate is among the best I will find. Is it possible that all on 4 could be the only way a patient could qualify for implant dentures? If so, I will forget about getting implants and accept my dentures as they are. Thank you. – Brett from TN
Brett,
Thank you for contacting our office.
You mentioned that you had a consultation with this dentist. Based on your description, it seems that you did not have an exam, CT scan, or any x-ray for the dentist to decide that All-on-4 implants are your only option. And that is puzzling. Be careful with this dentist.
If you have worn dentures for many years, you have some jawbone shrinkage. But an implant dentist can build up the bone with grafting to ensure the implants have plenty of support.
What Type of Implant Dentures Can You Receive?
The American Academy of Implant Dentistry clearly explains the types of dental implants available. But a dentist can define your treatment options only after these steps:
- Reviewing your medical and dental histories
- Examining your teeth and gums
- Reviewing a CT scan
Affordable Implant Dentures
A snap-on denture is an affordable alternative to All-on-4
A snap-on denture or a denture retained with mini-implants is more affordable than the All-on-4 technique. Those affordable options use as few as two dental implants. Although more implants will improve a denture’s stability, your treatment costs will increase.
And not every patient qualifies for All-on-4. We recommend that you look for an implant dentist with extensive post-graduate training and schedule an appointment for an exam. The dentist will explain your treatment options. A conscientious dentist will discuss the pros and cons of each option but will not insist that you receive a specific type of treatment—or any treatment at all.
Steven Brooksher, DDS, is a Baton Rouge cosmetic dentist and Fellow of International Congress of Oral Implantologists. Read about his credentials and visit his smile gallery. It will help you determine what to look for in a dentist in your area.
