Losing teeth is not a good thing, but it’s much more common than you may realize.
Most American adults are missing at least one tooth, and 10 percent of Americans between the age of 50 and 64 no longer have any of their original teeth, according to the National Institute of Dental Craniofacial Research.
Losing one tooth is inconvenient and maybe somewhat embarrassing, but losing several or all of your teeth can have a big impact on your quality of life.
We may not be able to give you back your teeth, but we may be able to give you the next best, All on Four dental implants. Keep reading or call the Smile Glen Ellyn dentist office to learn more about this life-changing system.
Life without teeth
If you are missing a full arch of teeth, you already know it has changed your life.
Edentulism, the condition of being without teeth, often occurs as a result of poor dental hygiene.
In some cases, embarrassment prevents patients from seeking dental care. Trust us, we would rather see you while you have some teeth to save then see you when it is too late to help.
When you don’t have any teeth, it can change the appearance of your face. As you lose teeth, you lose bone density as well. This can give your face a collapsed appearance and make you appear older than you are.
This may make you uncomfortable going out in public or even spending time with your family and friends. When you don’t interact with the people you love and care for, it can lead to a sense of isolation. We want you to stay involved in the lives of your loved ones, and we believe they would say the same thing.
In additional to the emotional impact of missing several teeth, you will have physical consequences as well.
When you don’t have teeth, you can’t bite into things, and you can’t chew your food. This could mean a diet of soft foods and liquids. You may be able to survive that way, but we can’t imagine you want to spend the rest of your life dining on mashed potatoes, applesauce, and milk shakes.
Dental implants can save you from dealing with the problems mentioned above and help you begin enjoying your life again.
How All on Four can help
Before we explain All on Four, we need to first explain dental implants.
Dental implants are used to replace missing teeth. When you lose a tooth, it leaves a space in your smile and below your gumline.
The roots of your teeth are the anchors that hold you teeth securely in your mouth. Dental implant replaces the roots of your teeth. Like your roots, your dental implants stimulate the jawbone, and this spurs new growth. This growth keeps your jawbone healthy and prevents bone loss.
To get the full impact of a dental implant, you need to attach something to replace the crowns of your teeth as well. If you were missing one tooth, we would add a dental crown. If you lost three or four teeth, we would recommend a dental bridge.
If you need to replace a full arch of teeth, however, All on Four may be your best option. With All on Four, you can go from having no teeth to having the appearance of a full set of teeth in a day.
All on Four is just what it sounds like. We start by strategically placing four dental implants inside your jawbone. Then, we attach a set of implant-secured dentures to your implants.
In other words, you regain the appearance of all your teeth on four dental implants.
But All on Four dental implants aren’t just about looks. If that’s all you were interested in, then dentures might be an acceptable option.
The problem with most dentures is that you have significantly less bite force than you did when you had all your teeth. All on Four dental implants give you back both the look of your real teeth and something very close to the function of those teeth as well.
You dental implants are held securely in place by your jawbone, and that give you significantly more stability than you can expect with other kinds of dentures. With All on Four, you can eat all the foods you love without worrying about your dentures coming loose when you bite or chew.
Be happy, be healthy
Is there a better gift to give yourself than an improved quality of life?
Don’t hide from your loved ones because of your lack of teeth. Don’t deprive yourself of the foods you love, either. All on Four dental implants will make you want to smile and allow you to keep eating whatever you like.
To learn more, contact Dr. Gibbs, our dentist at Smile Glen Ellyn, by calling 630-858-8800 or by filling out our online form.
