Dear Dr Fahey, I hope you can advise me. I researched for many months, I found a clinic for the all on four implant for my upper teeth to be removed and to have the all on four implants. I’m 48, I have aggressive Periodontal disease which the clinic is aware of. My teeth are very very long and gums have receded to such a point that they are loose with large gaps and some of the molars have already been removed.

My appointment to have the all on four procedure is booked. I was told there is a high chance of failure because of my condition and that the surgeon will only know once he has removed my teeth and placed the implants, which he may also decide not to proceed with on the day if he feels that the bone isn’t stable enough.I haven’t had the chance to discuss the procedure with the surgeon as yet until the day of the surgery.

I went to my dentist to ask her advice, she suggested that I take antibiotics and that she deep cleans the pockets and then over several weeks in stages injects antibacterial gel into the pockets to prepare the mouth and ensure that it is ready for surgery.

The information booklet given also states the the bridge only lasts for ‘up to five years’ and can crack. I just wondered what your take on the procedure was for someone who has Periodontists and whether this is the correct procedure for me?

Thank you.