Costa Rica All-On-4: Do You Need One?

If you are missing many teeth, or else there is a need to remove all your teeth in one or both jaws due to advanced decay, dental implants may allow you to have a full-arch fixed bridge and a normal, smiling lifestyle.

As an alternative to using a full set of teeth (if enough bone or bone augmentation procedures can be performed to regenerate sufficient dental tissue), multiple dental implants can be placed right on the the jaw to support a fixed bridge. This procedure is similar to those indicated for multiple dental or single tooth implants, one that requires careful diagnosis, planning and coordination before treatment begins.

In the field of implantology, attention to detail ensures the safe placement of dental implants in positions that allow dental professionals to fabricate a bridge that meets your needs and expectations.

The All-On-4 Technique in Costa Rica

The number of dental implants required for a fixed full-arch bridge varies depending on your particular anatomy, the type of bridge that needs to be placed, and the number of teeth you want or need to be place on the prosthesis.

Dental implants can be placed when you are missing all teeth in the maxilla or mandible. If you have remaining teeth, they may require extraction depending on their condition as a first step before dental implant surgery, or in some cases can be extracted teeth and dental implants placed immediately.

If there are remaining teeth, you may have a temporary fixed bridge fabricated to help transition your own teeth to dental implants. In this scenario, the provisional bridge remains in place, which allows you chew, smile, and talk without having to use a removable prosthesis.

All-On-4, All-On-Four and Teeth-In-a-Day are some of the terms often mentioned by dental tourists who are interested in improving their smiles in Costa Rica.

There are many things dental patients should learn about All-On-4 procedures before they book a flight to Costa Rica.

The first and most important thing to know about this technique is that it involves implanting artificial devices in the bone structure of the jaw. These artificial devices are prosthondontic aids that must be fabricated following a specific method and through the use of specialized equipment. With this in mind, prospective dental tourists should know that not all dental clinics in Costa Rica or elsewhere are able to provide All-On-4 procedures.

The pre-surgical planning for All-On-4 dental implants begins with diagnostic impressions for recording the bite ratio in relation to the maxilla and mandible, which is essential to conduct fabrication for each patient.

These impressions help determine the correct positioning of the teeth in the new prosthesis, and to confirm the optimal location for each dental implant. They are also used to ensure the appearance and correct bite. Often, a template is produced from radiographic diagnostics and provided to the surgeon to assist him during surgery dental implant placement.

The Costa Rica All-on-4 technique is essentially a permanent overdenture that fits over the anatomy of the upper and lower jaws. This technique allows dental teams at the Flikier Institute to produce a superior denture without palate, which may be a more convenient choice for most patients.

The All-On-Four technique aims to provide dental rehabilitation to patients who have lost their teeth through trauma, decay or disease. The All-On-4 technique is an alternative to dentures, and it is ideal for dental tourists because it is not overly invasive and can also be performed in a relatively short time.