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Is a CT Scan Truly Necessary for All-on-4 Dental Implants

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I am considering getting dental implants, specifically the all-on-4 dental implants. I’ve done a ton of x-rays and such and now the dentist wants me to get a CT scan. Is this really necessary or is this more of a way for him to line his pockets? I don’t want to spend unnecessary money and I certainly don’t want more radiation than is necessary.

Billy

Dear Billy,

all-on-4 dental implants

I’m glad you wrote. It is great that you chose dental implants as your tooth replacements. They are top of the line and the closest thing to having healthy, natural teeth in your mouth. Generally, all-on-4 is used for people who are already dealing with some bone loss. If that ends up not being you, it may be in your best interest to get implant overdentures. With all-on-4, if one implant fails, the entire thing has to be redone. However, that is not the case with an implant overdenture. Now to your question.

Importance of a CT Scan

Diagnostics on Your Bone Capacity

In order for dental implants to stay in place, the surrounding bone needs to integrate with the implant in a process known as osseointegration. However, if you don’t have enough bone then, you need to look at your options.

Finding the Best Procedure

In some cases, there isn’t too much bone loss and you can still get the all-on-4 procedure. However, in some cases, there is enough bone gone that you would need to do a procedure to replace it known as bone grafting. This will enable you to get overdentures if you are interested or you could stick with the all-on-4.

Getting the Correct Landscape

Getting dental implants of any type is a 3dimensional procedure. X-rays alone will not give the dentist enough information. They need 3D images of your mouth and jaws, including close to the nasal cavity. This will give them adequate measurements for safe placement of your implants. Dentists who take short cuts will often end up misplacing the implants or puncturing the nasal cavity.

So, in your place, I would definitely get the CT scan.
This blog is brought to you by Duluth, GA Dentist Dr. David Marion.

Clear Choice or Costa Rica for Dental Implants?

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I was planning on going to Clear Choice Dental Implant Center to get my dental implants, but I have some concerns. First, they want to do the all on four procedure and I was hoping for implant overdentures. Then, I read some reviews that said they don’t really have any follow up with their patients. This worries me as well. I was thinking it might be better for me to go to Costa Rica to get these implants done. I hear they do a lot of dental work for people from other countries and there is a whole dental tourism industry there. Do you think I’d be better off with Clear Choice or Costa Rica?

Kevin

Dear Kevin,

Implant overdentures

Implant Overdentures

Do you have an option C by any chance? Here is the thing. Dental tourism is very popular in some circles. When it goes okay, it goes okay. When it doesn’t, it goes very badly. If you think there is no follow-up with Clear Choice Implant Centers, what type of follow-up do you think there will be from a dentist in another country?

Dental implants are an advanced procedure. It takes significant post-doctoral training. In the United States, we have high standards and strict laws with regard to the materials dentists are allowed to use along with the standard of care dentists have to provide. In some of these popular dental tourism destinations there are not even laws about sanitation. It is up to the dentist what type of standards he adheres to. I’m not sure that is work the risk. If you get an infection in your jaw it can be very serious.

As for Clear Choice, while the all-on-four procedure is useful for those who do not have enough jawbone left or who are not a candidate for bone grafting, if you can have implant overdentures, it is better. If one dental implant of the all-on-4 procedure fails then the whole unit has to be replaced.

My suggestion to you is invest in a good dentist instead of a chain clinic or going out of the country. Your best bet is to find someone who is a fellow with the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. These are the most qualified implant dentists in the country.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. David Marion, who tries to be the best dentist he can be.