Did I WASTE Time and Money on my Dad's Dental Implants? Should I have Done All on 4 Instead? 

As what I would consider a younger individual considering an all on 4 treatment, I understood going in that I did not want to be in and out of the dentist chair for the next several years and spending an exponential amount of money on dental work. Aesthetics were very important to me as I have lived my whole life with a bad smile. I think each individual needs to go in with a clear vision of what their goal is and they should take the time needed to make peace with whatever is going to be required to get there. In my case, I had a lot of anxiety about which direction to take, especially being younger, about the idea of removing all my original teeth at just 43 years old. After 3-4 years of looking at options, costs, and how I would be impacted mentally, for me, the all on 4 was the best option to check all the boxes and make a singular investment into not only my oral but also my physical health. Unhealthy teeth can cause a multitude of other physical ailments which was something I considered in my decision. All on 4 treatment was certainly a process but not one I regret in the slightest. Quite honestly my teeth look amazing and nobody has any clue that I've even had a surgery like this. The compliments I get on a regular basis now have been a pleasurable experience and not one I am used to but certainly one I welcome. My advice if you are considering a procedure like this even as a younger individual is to be honest with yourself and your dental situation, do your homework, get several opinions from several doctors, settle on the doctor who gives you the most direct and comprehensive details regarding your case (This was Dr. Choi in my case), and lastly, spend as much as you can afford to achieve the best result. I knew this would cost a good amount of money but I also knew it was not an expense I wanted to take on at or close to retirement age. Making the hard decision now allows me a decade or longer to absorb the cost. Quite honestly, it's already been worth it just from a confidence perspective. Being able to smile, eat, and belly laugh without an ounce of insecurity is something I personally can't put a price on.

I have learned so much from you, and I appreciate your transparency. Thank you for all that you do.

Great video and content with a unique perspective. By the way, if you have any time in the near future, I would love a video on the second stage of an implant and whether it is better to wait 4 or 5 or 6 months or later, for the crown to be placed. All the videos on youtube have dentists just saying 4-6 months but they don't go in to detail about each option. (ie. if you wait longer, there is more bone resorption etc.).

Love your videos! I had snapped in 3 weeks ago here in Australia but if I have problems I’m coming to see you if you don’t mind! Thanks! 👏

this is a great video explaing with well balanced reasoning the whole needs of a patient. I wonder if all on 4 lasts many years duration?

As one of the people that fall into the category of chasing issues constantly i can say that im glad i finally settled on this kindve treatment. Have had over 40k in work done to my natural teeth over the last decade only to find out that alot of the root canals need to be redone by a specialist that would literally cost me the same amount as doing an all on 4 with no guarantees. Granted there is no guarantee either way but ive treaded down the other route already and here I am. Have my upper arch done whilest not perfect yet for my finals im in no pain and my usual respiratory sickness every year has been nonexistent since my surgery so im guessing my natural failing teeth had alot to do with it being in the sinuses. I will say this that even though im not a patient of his he took time to answer some questions for me and make me wish i wouldve found him earlier so he knows what hes talking about

Thank you for your honesty about the unknowable aspects of dentistry! What do you think about 3on6 which preserves the gums using three dental bridges per arch? Thanks!

Thank you for your informative YT videos, very pertient to me now Can decades old fillings cause cracks in molars leading to ultimate failure and what do you feel is a reasonable remedy? I'm 64 yrs old, just had two long time lower molars with fillings loose corner points in small, subsequent cracking motions over weeks/months. My Doc is putting a crown on one and implant on other as he said it was gone. He says I have 4 more teeth in various states of the same failure mode but not failed yet. Can those 4 unfailed fillings possibly be caught in time and replaced, or are crowns my ultimate destiny or is there any other options to consider?

"My name is Dr ........" I'm curious if in ID has the name starting with Dr. 🤣😂😂😂

I am smack dab in the middle of a bait & switch implant scene. I wish I knew about your practice before I spent $22,500 IN ADVANCE for a lower all on 4 and an upper denture. Now the dentist tells me that I need a 5th implant due to the AP spread. Should he have known with the CT scan I would need a 5th? Thanks

Hi Dr. Choi, thanks for all your very informational videos! Can you comment about the longevity & cleansibility of All-on-4s? I’ve seen some concerns that the concave shape of the prosthesis (which I see in the photos on your website) easily trap food/bacteria and can’t be cleaned well? Thank you!

HI Dr. Choi ! Thanks for putting this case study together. I think there is one more aspect for me at least is to keep natural teeth as long as possible before having to remodel the entire "home". I know costs go up but natural teeth ( with crowns or not matching) are still better than an all in 4 model as its just for looks. when its time to remove the natural stuff well yes the all in 4 is a great option. I am currently in a "plan" that yes all my teeth will have to go I have the severe collapsed bite. The costs involved, what insurance will pay I guess I am just stalling.... but I have the "plan" in place. I just lost another molar due to a abscess on the top of the root that broke into the sinus cavity. losing 3 days of work due to pain, surgery was this last thursday (I had the bone graft done in prep for the future implant done) and the hassle and pain involved well I wonder if I just get it all over with at once. In your Dads case I didn't sense the urgency due to broken teeth and exposed nerves so keeping it original seems you did right in my view vs just "remodeling the whole house" due one clogged kitchen sink. I have been told by Aspen Dental that my Federal Government employee dental is fantastic as there is no limit or cap (not sure what they mean) but my costs are still in the low 20K neighborhood. My "plan" is to go upgraded looking lower denture and 4 implant snap in upper denture stage one and finish lower implants later. My Dentist here told me all in 4 would not work as too much bone would have to be cut out. Well if I can stall long enough I will be just a few miles from your office in September of 2023. how far out do you take appointments for an in person consult?

What’s your thoughts on 3 on 6 vs all on 4?

Do you offer denture implant pkg?

I can relate to your father s dental situation as I am going through the same nightmare. I feel tired, frustrated, having to go through recommended root canals, that don’t work, and having dental pieces removed because root canal do not work. After all the suffering and waisted money. Now paying for separate implants. I have a front bridge done more than fifteen years ago. The teeth holding my front bridge still hurting even after they did root canal on them. 😩 I am not specialist but I tell them is the socket where the teeth go that hurt. They still have a strong recommendation not to remove the bridge because X-rays don’t show infections. In the mean time I am suffering physically with pain. I am mentally, emotionally tired and financially drained. 😢

I So Need The All In 4

I have needed all my teeth out for 20 years most of my teeth are rotted away I haven't smiled in 19 years and have learned how to talk without showing my teeth I am 45 like you I have recently started saving for all on four. If I am expected to pay around 40k + then I have saved about 25% of the money btw expecting to pay cash don't have credit started building it finally 1 year ago but it will take a while to build up but anyhow this is why I have stayed statuesque I don't want bridges and crowns then dentures then denture supported implants then I get sick of it and do the all on four. No ty. I just want a permanent solution and will just wait till I can pay for the high quality implants. Hopefully it's not to late by then. TY for sharing your dad's story.

I got the all on 4 on the top I still got the temps in is it good to go get the bottoms from another dentist I’m not happy with they practice or communication

I am getting my teeth done now .......i am worried my implant's on bottom will not work and i will need a bone graff ? Is that what it's called..thank you for you're help ...

TY Dr. Choi. About 2 years ago I got all-on-4 for both bridges. Before I did anything I was a YT detective digging up any information I could find, from methodologies, materials and practitioners. Sometimes when you're a hammer everything looks like a nail; I wasn't going to be that nail. It is from people like you, who earnestly desires others to do well through education, that allows us to take the mystery out of the process. FYI I look good IMHO 😁😁

I am a victim of malpractice, not just one time,3 times :-( so I started to look up on the net for more information. This is how I find and follow you. What is your opinion about zygomatic implants ?

I am surprised Dr didn’t refer dad to a Prosthodontist.

What is all on 4’s?

Your poor dad...he's gone through so much. In hindsight, sure...the long-term pictures shows that would have been better. Yet, how could you have know that when you began? You're a good son to ponder that. I've heard people who have all those teeth removed are absolutely miserable while they are recovering. So, I'm not sure this would've caused your father any less suffering? Would it have looked better? Sure.

I feel like i wasted 20k for the same pain :-/

Been a while doc, thought you'd given up on RU-vid

Short answer. Yes, you should have done All on 4..

As a possible future patient of yours, I love your videos, but I think the all in 4 would have been the way to go unless your dad was against it.

To much expensive