All-on-4 vs Implant Dentures in Pompano Beach: Which Is Right?

If you're missing most of your upper or lower teeth, or the ones you have left are failing, you've probably come across two options: All-on-4 and implant-supported dentures. Both give you a full set of teeth held by a few implants in your jaw. The big difference is how they attach. A full-arch restoration like All-on-4 stays fixed in place, and an implant-supported denture usually snaps on and off. Here's how the two compare, so you can walk into a consultation knowing what to ask and what matters to you.

What's the difference between All-on-4 and an implant-supported denture?

The difference comes down to whether your new teeth come out. With All-on-4 and full-arch dental implants, a whole upper or lower set of teeth is anchored to a few implants and stays put, with nothing to take out and soak. An implant-supported denture snaps onto a few implants, so it stays comfortably in place while you eat and talk.

Both options rest on the same foundation. A dentist places each implant into the jawbone, and the bone grows around it and holds it in place, according to the American Dental Association. That anchor is what keeps either option steady, compared with a traditional denture that rests on your gums and can shift while you eat or talk.

• Full-arch implants (All-on-4): stay fixed in place and feel the most like natural teeth.
• Implant-supported denture: snaps on and off for easy cleaning at night, and in many cases we can fit the denture you already wear to snap onto implants.

Which one is right for me?

The right choice depends on how you want your teeth to fit into your daily routine. Some people love a denture they can unsnap and clean at night. Others want teeth that stay fixed and feel the most like their own. Both are secure, and we'll walk you through how each one feels before you decide.

If you already wear a denture you like, an implant-supported denture can be the simpler path, because we can often add attachments so it snaps onto implants. That can save you time and money. Either way, a denture still needs daily care: the ADA recommends brushing dentures every day to remove food particles and plaque, as explained on its denture care page.

If most of your remaining teeth are failing, a full arch replaces the whole set. On the arch we're restoring, any teeth still there are removed so the new set can sit properly. We handle that in the same appointment, and in many cases a natural-looking temporary set goes in the same day.

When Dr. Andrew Browne sees a patient whose teeth are loose, he lays out the whole range, from a regular denture to a snap-on denture to a full set of implants. If a well-made denture would serve you better, we'll tell you that, too.

How much do All-on-4 and implant-supported dentures cost in Pompano Beach, FL?

The cost of either option depends on how many implants your jaw needs, whether any teeth have to come out first, and the materials in your final teeth. For an implant-supported denture, it also depends on whether we can adapt the denture you already wear or build a new one. We price the whole plan before you decide, so you see the full picture up front.

We're not in-network with PPO plans, and we file out-of-network benefits for you. Cherry, CareCredit, Sunbit and HFD let you spread payments over time, and we also offer an in-house membership plan. You'll find the details on our finances and insurance page.

Am I too old for full-arch implants?

Your overall health matters more than your age. The ADA notes that if you're in good general health, implants may be an option for you, and that chronic illnesses such as diabetes, along with tobacco use, can slow healing.

Most people are good candidates, and the only way to be sure is to take a look. We check the health of your gums and jaw with a 3D scan and talk through your goals. If you've been told you don't have enough bone, a 3D scan can show bone height that wasn't obvious before.

Your teeth work together to help you chew, smile and speak, and losing them affects all three. As Dr. Browne puts it, "our goal is to keep everyone in a full set of teeth."

Why do Pompano Beach patients choose Dr. Browne at My Pompano Dentist for full-arch implants?

Patients choose Dr. Browne because he plans every arch on a 3D scan first, then keeps refining your new teeth until they look and feel right to you. You see the whole plan before we start, with plenty of room for your questions.

One recent full-arch patient came to us wearing a plastic partial denture held in by a handful of failing teeth. Dr. Browne took a more conservative approach and kept her own gum line visible when she smiles. She wore three different sets of plastic temporaries while he fine-tuned her bite, her shade and a small gap she could feel at the gum line. When she stepped outside in her temporaries and saw how they looked, she agreed it was what she wanted.

Getting the details right takes judgment as much as technique. When Dr. Browne plans a smile, he weighs lip support, how much tooth shows and how bright the shade should be, because, in his words, "a lot of it is just a matter of opinion." Your opinion is the one he's working toward. We've had patients come from Lighthouse Point after a decade in a denture and go home with implants.

Wondering whether a fixed full arch or a snap-on denture fits your life better? Call our Pompano Beach dental office at (954) 941-2412 or schedule a consultation online, and Dr. Browne will walk you through both options.

Published by My Pompano Dentist (Dr. Andrew Browne).