While dental implants have existed for several years, AO4 implants have recently grown in popularity among patients who need to replace several teeth, are toothless, or have bone loss in the jaw. This type of treatment does not require bone augmentation and allows patients to replace an entire tooth bridge without the hassles of using dentures.
AO4 implants function in a similar way to regular dental implants. They incorporate a small titanium screw that is placed in the jawbone and replaces the tooth root. The dentist then attaches the crown to the implant, thus creating a functional, realistic-looking fake tooth.
AO4 implants incorporate four to six of these titanium screws placed carefully in the top or bottom jaw. After the implants are healed, custom abutments made by a dental laboratory are attached to the implants and serve as the base for crowns or bridges.
The entire process occurs in stages, including initial prognosis and surgery to remove the decaying teeth. Once implants are placed, patients return to work after a few days or a week. Full healing takes up to eight months and requires that patients take good care of their prosthesis. This includes gently brushing the teeth thoroughly, biting on gauze to control bleeding, and resting as much as possible.