17 February 2021 Author : Pedro Gonçalves Implantology is dedicated to oral rehabilitation using dental implants to treat edentulism, or teeth loss, whether partial or total. This area of dentistry has evolved the most in the last 20 years. It has a wide application in most situations of teeth loss, but requires, beforehand, a rigorous evaluation performed by a dentist experienced in implantology . Dental implants allow to rehabilitate from just one tooth to all teeth in both jaws at once. It is not always necessary to use an implant to rehabilitate each lost tooth. A tooth bridge fixed in implants can be used when the objective is to rehabilitate missing teeth in the same area of the oral cavity. That is, for example, with two implants it is possible to replace three contiguous teeth. In cases of total teeth loss , where bone resorption is often extreme, the rehabilitation of a jaw is possible through several approaches: One of it is the use of removable dental prosthesis. These are retained in the jaws by fitting or in a metal bar and can be removed and cleaned by its users; Another option is an immediate fixed rehabilitation, placing four or more implants that support all crowns. In this case, on the day of surgery, patients leave the hospital with all their teeth fixed. One of the best-known techniques for this option is the All-On-Four® . What is All-On-Four® The All-On-Four® technique, with more than 10 years of proven experience, allows people with extreme bone loss to undergo immediate oral rehabilitation . In the past, the only fixed solution offered in cases of total teeth loss was time-consuming, painful and expensive, since it was necessary to resort to large bone grafts and prolonged healing periods to have a rehabilitation with fixed teeth. With the All-On-Four® technique, four implants are placed that support all crowns of the two jaws . The surgery lasts from 1 to 2 hours. Prior to surgery, it is necessary to carry out a detailed evaluation and several tests , which guarantee the adequacy of the technique to each patient. The first consultation is, in general, totally centered on the patient and his individual characteristics. A rigorous clinical evaluation is carried out, regarding expectations and health conditions, following a specific protocol for the correct planning and execution of treatment. Next, a computed tomography (TAC) will be performed, which will allow a totally digital rehabilitation planning. In surgery , performed under local anesthesia, with all the comfort and safety, the four implants are placed. During this phase, a team of dental technicians work with the medical team, quickly ensuring the production of a temporary, high-quality fixed prosthesis. At the end of the surgery, the patient will have his teeth fixed temporary , but aesthetic and functional. About three months after the surgery, records and tests will be made to produce the final fixed total prosthesis that will be definitively applied to the implants. With this personalized treatment, it is possible to have a natural appearance again and a better quality of life. Meet the dentistry team from Hospital da Luz network ando book your consultation The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
