Checking Daily Habits That Help Extend the Lifespan of All-on-Six Implants

Lee Jang-wook, Chief Director

Hello,

This is Etoile de Seoul Dental Clinic.

You probably came to this article because you have already received All-on-Six implants, or because you are planning to get them.

Or you may have heard about All-on-Six from people around you and became curious. Today, we will look at how to maintain the lifespan of All-on-Six implants for a long time and how to care for your oral health. In fact, many people may think, after getting All-on-Six, that "everything is done now." Of course, it is natural to feel relieved because you are free from the inconvenience of dentures or the hassle of getting multiple implants.

However, since All-on-Six is ultimately a valuable set of teeth that we need to use for life, how you care for it can greatly affect how long it lasts.

We are responsible for your dental health.

All-on-Six

Checking Daily Habits

That Extend the Lifespan

You may be wondering what All-on-Six is.

All-on-Six is often called a "full-arch implant" by many people,

but more precisely, it is a treatment method that restores all the teeth in one jaw using only 4 to 6 implants.

It works by placing several sturdy implants into the jawbone, just as pillars are set up when building a structure, and then placing a connected prosthesis on top of them.

The biggest advantage of this method is that not every tooth needs to be replaced with an individual implant.

For example, if you were restoring an entire upper jaw, you would normally need 14 implants.

But All-on-Six can achieve the same function with only 4 to 6.

This is also good news for people with poor jawbone conditions, because implants can be placed in areas where more bone remains.

Why is it possible to have implants that can reduce bone grafting?

For many people, the biggest concern when getting implants is "bone grafting." Just hearing the term bone grafting can feel like a major burden or cause fear for many people.

However, All-on-Six often makes it possible to reduce bone grafting even when jawbone is insufficient by using 3D navigation and digital technology.

How is this possible? It is because of a technique that places implants at special angles and positions.

The implant is placed by finding areas where enough bone remains and inserting it at an angle, or by making the most of the anatomical structure of the bone.

It is similar to how, when building a house, you can still make a strong structure even if the ground is uneven, as long as the foundation is well laid.

In particular, 3D CT imaging is used to precisely analyze the bone condition, and computer simulation is used to plan the most appropriate implant placement in advance.

This shortens the treatment time and can greatly reduce the burden. Also, All-on-Six can restore chewing force close to that of natural teeth, allowing you to enjoy most foods freely.

For people who have struggled with dentures that keep moving or coming loose, it can really feel like a whole new world.

How is All-on-Six treatment performed?

All-on-Six treatment means more than simply placing implants. It uses a 3D navigation system to simulate the procedure on a computer before treatment, then places the implants by calculating the most appropriate positions and angles.

It is similar to using GPS to reach a destination. Because you can follow the planned route accurately, it saves time and reduces the chance of mistakes.

A temporary prosthesis can be attached on the same day, so you do not have to spend time without teeth.

After about 30 days, once the gums have healed and the implants have stabilized, the temporary prosthesis is replaced with a more durable one.

This prosthesis uses pink porcelain and zirconia materials to recreate natural-looking gums and teeth, so it can also produce good aesthetic results.

What determines the lifespan of All-on-Six?

The lifespan of All-on-Six is determined by several factors, but the most important one is a person’s care habits.

The implant itself is made of titanium, a very stable material, so it can be used for a very long time, but the surrounding gums and bone must remain healthy for it to last.

Smoking is a very harmful factor for All-on-Six. Nicotine and tar in cigarettes constrict the blood vessels in the gums, which interferes with nutrient supply and lowers resistance to bacterial infection.

It also slows wound healing and worsens inflammation, so anyone who has received All-on-Six needs to quit smoking.

Oral hygiene care is also very important. If food debris or bacteria build up around All-on-Six, peri-implantitis can occur, and this can eventually cause implant loss.

Think of it as something that must be managed more carefully than natural teeth.

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Daily care methods to extend the lifespan of All-on-Six

Brushing your teeth every morning and evening is no exaggeration to say the factor that determines the lifespan of All-on-Six.

It is not very different from regular brushing, but you should pay special attention to the area where the prosthesis meets the gums.

Use a soft toothbrush and do not scrub too hard. Brush gently and thoroughly, as if stroking a newborn baby’s head.

Using dental floss or interdental brushes is also essential. Because All-on-Six has multiple connected teeth, it may be difficult to care for with regular floss alone.

In such cases, it is a good idea to use a Waterpik or oral irrigator. The water pressure can thoroughly remove food debris and bacteria.

Dietary habits are also important. It is best to avoid foods that are too hard or too chewy.

Chewing ice, cracking nuts with your teeth, or opening bottle caps with your teeth are all prohibited.

Even though All-on-Six is very sturdy, it can still be damaged by excessive force.

Do you know why regular checkups are so important? Regular checkups every six months are important for All-on-Six care.

They allow small changes that are not visible to the naked eye to be detected early, preventing them from developing into major problems.

X-rays are taken to check the condition of the bone around the implant and to assess the degree of gum inflammation.

During regular checkups, general scaling is also performed. This removes tartar and bacterial film around All-on-Six and helps maintain a healthy condition. Treatment like this is necessary because home care alone has its limits.

Real patient concerns and solutions

"It has been two years since I got All-on-Six, and my gums occasionally bleed. Is that okay?"

In such cases, it is likely that inflammation has developed in the gums. This can happen because gum care around All-on-Six has not been properly maintained, allowing bacteria to build up.

First, brush more thoroughly, and use dental floss or an oral irrigator to keep the area clean.

If bleeding continues even after a few days, it is better to get examined before the inflammation gets worse.

"I was told that my jawbone is insufficient. Can All-on-Six still be done without bone grafting?"

Yes, it can. Even when jawbone is insufficient, there are many cases in which All-on-Six can be performed without bone grafting by using 3D digital technology.

The method uses the remaining bone as much as possible and places implants at special angles. However, this can vary depending on each person’s bone condition, so a detailed examination is needed to determine whether it is possible.

"I was told I can eat all kinds of foods with All-on-Six, but chewing hard foods feels uncomfortable."

Even though All-on-Six can restore about 90% of natural chewing force, there is an adjustment period at first.

Rather than suddenly eating hard foods, try gradually increasing food firmness as you adapt.

Also, it is better not to chew only on one side; instead, alternate between both sides.

"I am taking good care of it, but it still seems to smell."

Let me answer the questions people ask most often Many people wonder whether they can exercise after getting All-on-Six.

It is better to avoid intense exercise for about one week right after the procedure, but after that, normal exercise is not a problem at all.

There are also many questions about implants without bone grafting. All-on-Six uses a 3D navigation system to place implants in healthy bone areas while avoiding areas with insufficient jawbone.

In the past, bone grafting was essential when bone was lacking, but now successful results can be achieved without bone grafting through special angle and position planning.

Finally, many people also ask how long All-on-Six can be used after treatment. With proper care, it can be used for more than 10 years.

Create a healthy oral environment

To extend the lifespan of All-on-Six, you need to consider the health of the entire mouth. If you manage only All-on-Six and neglect the other teeth, the balance of the entire mouth can eventually collapse.

If you still have natural teeth, you should care for them as well and maintain overall oral health.

Stress management is also surprisingly important. When you are stressed, you may develop a habit of clenching your teeth, or your immunity may weaken, making you more vulnerable to gum disease.

Adequate sleep, a regular routine, and proper exercise all help maintain your overall health, which in turn helps your oral health.

We hope that through proper daily habits, your All-on-Six remains healthy for a long time.

Above all, please remember that consistent care and regular checkups are the most important things.

We hope you start the right care habits from today so that your bright smile can last a lifetime.

All-on-Six is not just a simple method; it is a method for restoring oral function. We hope that this precious beginning continues happily for a long time through steady attention and care.

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