This short guide explains what to expect with all-on-4 dental implants omaha ne and who should consider them. You’ll learn who’s a candidate, the procedure steps, common risks, costs, and how to start the process for all-on-4 dental implants in Omaha, NE.
What Are All-On-4 Dental Implants?
All-on-4 is a full-arch prosthesis supported by four dental implants. Instead of replacing each tooth with a single implant, four implants anchor a fixed bridge that replaces an entire upper or lower arch. Compared with traditional dentures, all-on-4 feels more stable, restores chewing power, and looks more natural. Typical timeline: consultation and imaging, same-day or short-notice implant surgery with an immediate temporary arch, followed by a 3–6 month healing period and delivery of the final prosthesis.
Who Is a Good Candidate for All-On-4?
Good candidates are people who are missing most or all teeth or those with failing dentures who want a fixed solution. Candidates should be in generally good health and able to heal from surgery.
- Common inclusions: extensive tooth loss, loose or painful dentures, or jaws needing stable replacement teeth.
- Common exclusions: untreated gum disease, uncontrolled diabetes, heavy smoking, or certain medical conditions that impair healing.
- Bone grafting is sometimes needed, but the all-on-4 approach often uses existing bone to avoid grafts.
Key Benefits of All-On-4 Versus Dentures
Compared with removable dentures, all-on-4 offers:
- Greater stability and chewing strength.
- Better jawbone preservation by transferring chewing forces to bone.
- Improved speech and comfort—no slipping or adhesives.
- Faster quality-of-life gains than placing many single implants.
Step-by-Step: The All-On-4 Procedure
Consultation and Imaging
Your surgeon will take a health history, perform an exam, and use CBCT 3D scans and digital intraoral scans (like iTero) to plan implant position. Surgical guides are often designed from these images for precise placement.
Surgery Day
On surgery day, four implants are placed per arch. Many patients receive an immediate temporary prosthesis the same day so they leave with teeth. Anesthesia options include IV sedation, general anesthesia, or local anesthesia depending on case complexity and patient comfort.
Healing and Final Prosthesis
Healing typically takes 3–6 months. During this time, follow-up visits check healing and fit. Once bone integration is confirmed, the final prosthesis—often stronger and more esthetic—is delivered.
Recovery, Pain Management, and What to Expect
Common post-op symptoms include swelling, mild bleeding, and soreness for several days. Soft foods are usually recommended for 1–2 weeks, with gradual return to firmer foods as healing allows.
- Pain control options: IV sedation for comfort during surgery and local anesthesia plus EXPAREL® for long-lasting, opioid-free pain control after surgery.
- Do: rest, use cold packs first 48 hours, keep head elevated, follow oral hygiene instructions, and attend follow-up visits.
- Don’t: smoke, use straws, or start heavy exercise for at least one week; avoid hard or crunchy foods until cleared.
Risks, Complications, and How They’re Managed
Possible risks include infection, implant failure, bleeding, and nerve irritation. Careful planning with CBCT imaging, surgical guides, and experienced surgeons lowers these risks. Call your surgeon right away for persistent bleeding, severe pain not controlled by medication, numbness that doesn’t improve, or signs of infection (fever, increased swelling, pus).
Long-Term Care and Maintenance for Your New Arch
Daily cleaning under and around the prosthesis, regular dental visits for hygiene and inspection, and occasional adjustments or relines keep your arch functioning. Well-maintained implants can last many years; longevity depends on oral hygiene, smoking status, medical health, and regular follow-up care.
Cost and Financing Options for All-On-4 Dental Implants in Omaha, NE
Costs vary by implant hardware, prosthesis materials, need for extractions or bone grafting, and anesthesia. Insurance may cover parts of treatment but rarely the full cost. Common payment options include dental financing plans, third-party lenders, and in-house payment plans. Always request an itemized estimate and compare options before starting.
Why Choose a Board-Certified Oral Surgeon for All-On-4?
Board-certified oral surgeons complete hospital-based residencies and have advanced training in anesthesia, trauma, and complex surgery. That training, plus hospital privileges, improves safety, planning for complex cases, and the ability to manage unexpected issues during care.
About Midwest Oral Surgery & Dental Implants (Light Practice Overview)
Midwest Oral Surgery & Dental Implants is a multi-doctor specialty practice in Omaha with board-certified surgeons, CBCT and iTero imaging, surgical guides, IV sedation, and opioid-sparing pain options like EXPAREL®. The team has decades of experience, hospital affiliations for emergency care, and performs full-arch implant treatments with a focus on predictable results.
Meet the Surgeons (Very Brief)
Dr. John Wewel — board-certified, UNMC-trained, with hospital privileges and years of implant and trauma experience. Dr. Jerome Wees — board-certified surgeon with decades of surgical experience and a long record of implant care.
How to Get Started
To begin, schedule a consultation and bring your medical history. Ask about CBCT imaging, treatment timeline, anesthesia choices, and an itemized estimate. If you’re ready, request a consultation to learn if all-on-4 dental implants in Omaha, NE are right for you.