Dental Implants FAQs

1. Will I be able to eat with my new teeth from day one?

Yes! However, while your implants and teeth are securely placed from day one, we do ask that you maintain a soft diet during the 4 month healing period. What exactly does that mean? A good general rule is you can eat anything you can cut with a plastic fork. The reason for this is that you are investing in something that could last you many decades, even the rest of your life, and maintaining a softer diet during the healing period will allow the best integration of your implants into your bone and help ensure the best long-term outcome.

2. How long has the All-on-4 procedure been around?

This life-changing procedure was pioneered by Portuguese dentist Paolo Malo in the 1990s. Since then, this procedure has safely been performed on hundreds of thousands of patients and has been improved upon to what you see today.

3. How do I care for my All-On-4 teeth?

Caring for your teeth is very easy, but consistency is key. Just like we’re supposed to brush and floss natural teeth, we should do the same with our All-On-4 teeth and implants. A few minutes a day is all it will take to keep your mouth and implants healthy. Brushing your bridges with a soft bristle tooth brush and cleaning under them with a water flosser (WaterPik is a very popular, well-known brand) a few times a day is all it takes. Smoking can increase the risk of implant complications, so we recommend not smoking with dental implants. Diabetics should also be aware of an increased risk for complication with dental implants. Controlling your diabetes is very important for the long-term success of your implants. Other than that, simply follow up with your doctor regularly throughout the year for quick evaluations of your new implant teeth.

4. What do the new implant bridges feel like?

Your new implant bridges will be a new sensation and will take a few days or sometimes a few weeks to get used to.

5. Is there excessive pain involved in this procedure?

While there will be moderate pain, it is similar to the pain of dental extractions. We use a combination of medications to help control pain and keep our patients as comfortable as possible.

6. Will there be pain after the procedure?

While experiences will vary some, you should expect some discomfort and possibly swelling after your procedure. Many patients come in the next day for their post op appointment reporting very little discomfort. You will be prescribed pain medication to help alleviate any discomfort. Also, if you’re a candidate for it, the doctor will give you a steroid shot which will help with discomfort and swelling for the first few days.

7. What is the recovery time like for this procedure?

This will vary from patient to patient, but, overall, the recovery period is shorter and easier with this procedure compared to other full arch or full mouth replacement options. This is mainly thanks to the bridges being attached directly to your jaws via your implants. Traditional dentures and implant dentures both require healing periods during which time the dentures are able to move and cause sore spots. Your pain should subside for the most part within 1-2 weeks, with complete healing typically after 6 months.

8. What is the difference between Revive Dental Implants and corporate implant centers?

At Revive Dental Implants, we have the same advantages of the corporate implant centers by limiting our practice to dental implants and prosthetics. We have an in-house lab, competitive pricing, and same day teeth. However, we are privately owned, and every patient will be seen by our doctor. We focus on the satisfaction of our patients instead of monthly quotas, cost cutting, and shareholders. At the corporate implant centers, there is no guarantee that you will be treated by the same dentist that has the great reviews or your friend recommended you see. Our doctor oversees your procedure from beginning to end and the team at Park View Family Dental will do everything to make sure you are happy with your smile and take care of you like family.

9. What about mini dental implants? Or snap in dentures?

Mini dental implants are not even related to what we do at Revive Dental Implants for our All-On-4 teeth in a day procedure. Please proceed with caution at any office recommending mini dental implants as a permanent solution. They have a very high failure/complication rate. Snap-in implant dentures are a good option for some patients. We also provide this service and have an entire page dedicated to these if you want to learn more. They can be a more affordable alternative to the All-On-4 Teeth in a Day dental implant procedure.

10. How often should I have my new teeth professionally cleaned?

You should come in every 6 months to have your teeth/implants checked and cleaned. This will help ensure the longevity of your new teeth and implants.

11. Can implants fail?

Tori are bony knots that develop in the mouth of many patients. They are not harmful, however, they can prevent your denture(s) from fitting comfortably, so your doctor will often recommend having them removed.

12. Why am I salivating (drooling) so much?

This is completely normal when you first have a prosthesis (denture) placed in your mouth. Your body senses it as a foreign object and is trying to “flush” it out. This increased salivation should subside within 2-3 days.

13. Can I be put to sleep for my procedure?

Yes we can put you to sleep, we have an in house CRNA that will provide IV sedation, but if you are not a candidate to be put to sleep then we can offer an oral form of sedation as well.

14. Are All-On-4 bridges always attached to the implants the day of the procedure?

Most cases will be attached immediately. In certain situation, mostly dependent on your bone quality and quantity, we will not be able to attach your bridge(s) the same day and you will need to wear a temporary healing denture while your implants integrate into the bone. Your doctor go over this in-depth at your evaluation.

15. How long will I bleed after the procedure?

Significant bleeding will have stopped before you leave the clinic, however, expect to have some slight bleeding (oozing) for 1-3 days after the procedure. In addition, you will most likely notice increased salivation when we first put your temporary teeth in. When this increased saliva mixes with a little blood, it can look like a lot of blood. If heavy bleeding continues, please call the office.

16. Will I know how to use my new teeth right away?

Just as you would need practice in order to get used to functioning with a prosthetic leg, it will require some practice and patience to get used to your prosthetic teeth. With that being said, since they are rigidly anchored to your jaw, All-On-4 teeth will be the easiest to get used to of all the full-arch replacement options.

17. Will I know how to speak with my new teeth right away?

Again, this will take a little time, but with some patience and practice, your mouth and tongue will quickly adjust. S’s will be the toughest to pronounce. Practicing words like “Mississippi” and “sixty six” will help you get used to your new teeth. In some cases, patients may have a slight lisp long term with All-On-4 upper teeth.

18. How long after my procedure should I wait to use a water flosser/Waterpik?

Patients should wait 6 weeks after their procedure before they begin cleaning with a water flosser.

19. I feel like I’m too young for this procedure?

No, this is not just a procedure for the elderly. It’s actually quite common for people in their 40s, 30, even 20s to need to replace their teeth. Replacing bad teeth can be hugely beneficial to your overall physical health, and being able to smile, laugh, and converse confidently with teeth you’re proud of can be hugely beneficial to your emotional health. Again, needing to replace teeth early in life is not uncommon at all.

20. What items should I have ready for after my procedure?

• ice packs

• wash cloths you don’t mind throwing away

• comfortable clothes you don’t mind throwing away

• soft foods (a good rule is you can eat anything you can cut with a fork)

21. What will my final teeth be made of?

We make the final bridge out of zirconia. Zirconia is much stronger and more resistant to staining and wear than traditional acrylic All-On-4 teeth that many offices provide. If you choose another office, make sure you know what kind of teeth you will be getting. If you do get acrylic denture teeth with a titanium bar at another office, expect to have staining around your teeth and to replace them every 5-10 years. Also, make sure you know how much you are going to pay for the surgery, temporaries, and final teeth. Many offices will charge you a surgery/temporary fee only for you to find you owe an additional $5,000-$15,000 for your final teeth.

22. How much does the All-On-4, "Teeth in a Day" procedure cost?

The total cost for a single arch (upper or lower) is $25,000. There will be $5,000 discount for both arches. These prices include removing any remaining teeth, placing your implants, same day fixed temporary teeth, and your fixed permanent zirconia teeth. Many offices will charge a surgery fee, temporary fee, and then surprise you at the end with another fee for your final teeth. Our pricing is completely transparent, and we will not surprise you with any additional costs.

23. How can I get fixed teeth in one day? I thought the implants had to heal?

What is unique about this procedure, and what allows us to attach to your implants from day one, is that all of your implants will be rigidly splinted together by your new teeth (the implant bridge). Splinting them together prevents the micro-movement of the implants that can lead to failure early on. Basically, your implants and bridge all support each other. Your dental implants will be made of titanium, the same material used in artificial hip and knee joints, so your jawbone will naturally grow around and attach to them over time.

24. What if another dentist has said that you are not a candidate or do not have enough bone for dental implants?

The majority of patients that have been told they are not a candidates for dental implants are actually good candidates for the All-On-4 Teeth in a Day procedure. A combination of using angled implants and using the front of the jaw bone where the bone is more dense allows us to complete this procedure for many patients that thought it was not an option. We can usually perform this procedure without the need for expensive grafting that delays treatment by months or years. Please come see us for a complimentary consultation to see if you are a candidate.

25. Can the extractions, implants, and fixed teeth really be completed in the same day?

Yes! This is our preferred way of doing this procedure with the best outcome. With the advanced implants and materials that we have available today, there is usually no reason to have to wait months or even years to go through the process like you had to do in the past.

26. Is your doctor a specialist such as an oral surgeon, periodontist, or prosthodontist?

No, our doctor is a general dentist that limits their practice to dental implantology and prosthetics. Dental implantology is their passion, and they have placed more dental implants than most specialists and other general dentists. In a very select cases, they will collaborate with other dental specialists to ensure that their patients get the best possible treatment for their specific situation.

27. How can we offer the All-On-4, "Teeth in a Day" dental implant procedure for so much less than other offices in the area?

Because of the high number of these procedures we perform and limiting our practice to very specific procedures, we have advantages that other offices do not have. We have our in-house lab and lab technician and a single dentist that performs the entire procedure. Because of the efficiencies, we are able to offer these procedures for our patients at the most competitive pricing. Not only do we have the best prices, we also use the best quality implants and zirconia teeth.

28. Are there payment plans available?

Yes. We offer a variety of payment options including third party financing. We work with our patients in any way possible to get them smiling again. Click here for financing options.

29. Do you offer warranties or guarantees?

If a dental implant fails to integrate we will replace it at no cost. We warranty the final bridge for 5 years. To keep this warranty, our patients must return every 6 months for maintenance and hygiene of their bridges/implants. The warranty does not apply to patients that continue to smoke or have uncontrolled diabetes or develop other uncontrolled systemic conditions that compromise their implants.

30. How long does the procedure take?

Usually the surgery takes about 1 hour per arch. Then, the lab portion of making the teeth takes about 2 hours. If we start in the morning, for a single upper or lower arch patients are usually done around lunch time. If we are replacing both top and bottom teeth, we usually finish around 2:30 to 3:30 in the afternoon. Most of this time is waiting for the teeth to be made in our lab and trying them in to ensure your smile is just right. It is a long day, but will definitely be worth it in the end!

31. What if I don’t like my new teeth?

We do everything possible to ensure you love your new smile. The teeth you get the same day of surgery are only a temporary/transitional set. When we fabricate your final teeth, you will have full control of the design and appearance of your teeth.

32. What about some of these out of town offices in Florida, Las Vegas, etc. that are offering same day final teeth?

While this is a good service for many patients, in the rare case of complications or teeth breaking, it is very difficult to deal with if you traveled thousands of miles away or even out of the country. Most local offices will not be willing to fix these out of town offices work. A major advantage of having a transitional set of fixed teeth on the day of your surgery is you get to test them out and see what you like/don’t like. For the final zirconia or nano-ceramic teeth we can do try-ins to ensure that your teeth look exactly like you want them to look. While it’s great to get your final teeth immediately, it does come with some serious downsides that cannot be overlooked.

33. Do All-On-4 teeth rock (front to back, side to side)?

No, they are rigidly attached to your implants, which are firmly anchored in your jaw. If your All-On-4 teeth begin rocking for any reason, call us so we can bring you in for an evaluation.

34. Why do you call it teeth in a day when I don’t get my permanent teeth until 4-6 months after my procedure?

It is referred to as teeth in a day because you are receiving a set of implant-supported functional prosthetic temporary teeth in one day. Since there are often major changes in your mouth during the healing and implant integration phase, it is best to start with a temporary set up teeth. This ensures the best long-term outcome with your permanent teeth.

35. Can my temporary teeth be damaged?

Yes, your temporary teeth are made of acrylic and can chip, crack, and occasionally break. This is very common. The great thing about the acrylic temporary is that it can easily be repaired. If you have any issues with your temporary, just give us a call and we’ll get you fixed up right away.

36. Can my permanent teeth be damaged?

While it is possible for zirconia and nano-ceramic to be damaged, it’s extremely uncommon. Zirconia and nano-ceramic are among the strongest and most durable materials available in the dental world.

37. I already have an implant (or implants), can they be used for All-On-4?

Unfortunately, not. Since your existing implants will not be the correct position that this procedure requires, and since bone reduction will need to be performed, we can not use your existing implants and they will most likely need to be removed.

38. Are my All-On-4 bridges removable?

No, you can not remove these yourself. Only the dentist is able to remove them. They are secured to your implants.

39. Can food get under my All-On-4 bridge(s)?

Yes, any prosthetic in the mouth will get some amount of food under it. You can rinse with water to get food out from under your bridge(s), and cleaning every day with a water flosser will be part of your long-term hygiene regimen.

40. How long should I take off work for recovery after my procedure?

Of all full arch replacement options, All-On-4 tends to have the shortest time required before returning to work. Generally 4-7 days is sufficient. With that said, since there is always the chance of bruising and swelling, and you’ll need to get used to eating and speaking with your new teeth, the longer you can take off, the better.