All-on-4 Dental Implants In Covington, WA
Get the Best Looking All-on 4 Dental Implants for your Permanent Dentures in Covington, WA and the Surrounding Area
Edentulism or missing teeth is a common problem among adults in the United States. For these patients, Baptista Kwok, BS, DDS provides a viable tooth replacement option to replace multiple missing teeth that could be impairing your ability to chew and preventing you from smiling.
At Covington Complete Dentistry, this is done through dental implants that are artificial roots surgically implanted into your jawbone. The American Dental Association states that dental implants are one of the best advancements in dentistry in the last 40 years.
How do All-on-4 Dental Implants Work?
The All-on-4 implants goes by different names – They are also known as full mouth restoration or dental arch restoration, is a method for replacing an entire arch- or both arches- of missing or damaged teeth with only 4 dental implants. Two are placed in the back of the jaw at a 45° angle and two are placed in the front. Since the two in the back are angled, it means that patients who have some bone loss can still take advantage of this option.
The implant is made up of three parts:
- Implant (screw that goes into the jawbone)
- Abutment (attachment that secures the prosthetic tooth)
- Crown (prosthetic tooth)
The crown may be made up of three different materials:
- Acrylic/resin: least expensive
- Zirconium oxide: also known as “ceramic steel” due to strength and durability
- Porcelain: most durable, but can cause wear/tear to natural teeth, typically most expensive
What to Expect during your All-on-4 Dental Implants surgery?
For most patients at Covington Complete Dentistry, All-on-4 is safe and effective. Here’s what you can expect before, during, and after this procedure:
Preparations for your All-on-4 Dental Implants Procedure
You will start by scheduling a consultation. At this time, you will bring up any questions or concerns you have about the procedure. You’ll also want to discuss your budget and expectations for the procedure. Dr. Kwok will take several x-rays to ensure that you have the necessary bone density for this treatment.
If you are a smoker or you drink regularly, we will advise you to stop prior to surgery, as these habits can slow the healing process.
In some cases, we can do everything in one day- even send you home with a temporary denture plate to wear until your permanent one is ready.
Step-by-step All-on-4 Dental Implants Procedure
If you require extractions, this will be the first step in the process. Then, we will place the implants. We will give you local anesthesia to numb the area so you don’t feel any pain or if you have dental anxiety and discuss it at your consultation, we can provide you with sedation so you don’t have to worry about feeling anything.
The jawbone will need time to heal, or osseointegrate, around the implant. This may take several months. However, you will not be without teeth during this time. We will place temporary teeth on the abutments.
You will be advised to follow a special, soft diet while your gums heal and the bone heals around the implant. On this day, we will also take impressions to make sure that your permanent denture will fit properly. In approximately 6 months, you will return for placement of your permanent teeth.
Aftercare for Full-Mouth Restoration Procedure
You will be given aftercare instructions, including:
- Stick to soft foods to avoid putting too much pressure on the implants while they heal, such as:
- Warm soups
- Oatmeal
- Scrambled eggs
- Pudding
- Jell-o
You will also be advised to limit citrus drinks, as they can irritate the wounds and damage the implants. Carbonated beverages should also be avoided for a few weeks, as they can impede healing.
Since the implants are surgically placed, you will be given antibiotics for the first week or so to facilitate healing and ward off infection.
Once your permanent teeth have been placed, you can go back to your regular diet. If there are any foods or beverages that you should avoid, we will let you know.
Finally, while dental implants won’t decay- you can still get gum disease. The best way to maintain a healthy mouth is to practice good oral hygiene.
Who is the right candidate for an All-on-4 solution?
At Covington Complete Dentistry, Dr. Baptista Kwok, BS, DDS checks if you’re a right candidate for All-on-4 Dental Implants.
Here are the various reasons that might lead to Dr. Kwok recommending All-on-4 as your tooth replacement solution:
- Severe tooth decay
- Most teeth are missing along a dental arch
- Gum disease
- Injury/accident
- Damage to face/teeth due to mouth cancer or other health issues
- The patient is uncomfortable with traditional dentures.
This is a permanent solution that most patients agree is much more comfortable than traditional dentures. All-on-4 is reserved for patients who are missing all or most of their teeth. If you do have any natural teeth remaining, we will extract those before placing the implants and denture plate.
- Currently smoke
- Have significant jawbone loss
- Only need 1 tooth replaced
- Have uncontrolled diabetes
- Have had radiation therapy to head/neck
We encourage you to schedule your consultation today with the team at Covington Complete Dentistry. We can help you determine if All-on-4 is appropriate for you or if another tooth replacement option would be better.
How much do All-on-4 Dental Implants Cost in Covington, WA?
You can get an All-on-4 Dental Implants or permanent dentures for $2,995 in Covington, WA. Dr. Baptista Kwok is a Doctor of Dental Surgery with experience of over 25 years of successful dentistry experience.
This just covers the cost of the implants and the denture plate for one arch (top or bottom). If you need both arches, it will be more. It is also important to note that this does not cover any additional procedures you may require such as treatment for gum disease, extractions, x-rays, and more.
In some cases, your dental insurance may cover all or part of this tooth replacement solution.
Our friendly office staff will work with your insurance provider to determine coverage. When it comes to payment options, we accept cash, credit cards, and checks.
If you are unable to cover your portion of the cost of this service, we offer CareCredit, which will allow you to make low monthly payments on your treatment. This way, you can get your smile and confidence back as soon as possible.
Why trust Dr. Kwok to be your implants dentist in Covington, WA?
Dr. Baptista Kwok graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a Bachelor of Science in 1992. In 1996, he completed his Doctor of Dental Surgery. In 2001, he completed his dental implant education and training from the Carl Misch Implant Institute.
He has been practicing dentistry since 1996 and has been in the area since 2011. He offers a variety of treatments including:
- Full mouth reconstruction
- Root canals
- White fillings
- Bridges
- Wisdom teeth extraction
- Tooth jewelry
- Veneers
- Crowns
- Gum treatment
- Botox
He makes it a priority to further his education and attends quarterly dental lectures and courses to stay up to date on advances in the industry. He is involved in a dental study club and works with other dentists on new dental treatments and techniques.
At Covington Complete Dentistry, we utilize modern dental technology to make your treatment easier. For example, we understand that many patients avoid dental treatment because they’re afraid of the injection. We use Calaject pain-free injections. We also use computer-guided implant surgery to ensure optimum results.
You Can Count On Us For Your Dental Needs
If you believe that All-on-4 Dental Implants are a viable solution for you, or you’d like to find out about other options, schedule your consultation with Dr. Kwok and the team at Covington Complete Dentistry today. We are located on Wax Road in Covington, Washington. Our hours are Monday through Thursday 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM. We are available on Friday by appointment only. We look forward to restoring your smile and giving you back your overall confidence.
