If you’ve been looking into replacing your missing teeth or finally getting rid of your uncomfortable dentures, you’ve likely come across a treatment called All-on-4.
You may have even seen that All-on-4 provides you with a whole new smile in just a few days.
It sounds almost too good to be true, right?
Thankfully, we can assure you that All-on-4 is every bit as quick and effective as it claims — and we’ve seen just how life-changing it can be for our patients.
But you may still be wondering what is All-on-4 exactly and how does it work?
This article will give you more insight into All-on-4 and what you can expect from this treatment.
All-on-4 is a dental implant treatment for those who have lost or are about to lose all of their teeth. With All-on-4, a permanently fixed tooth bridge with up to 12 teeth is held in place by (at least) four implants that are inserted into your upper or lower jaw (or both).
The tooth bridge can be fitted to the dental implants in as little as 2 to 3 days after surgery. This means that you can effectively rebuild your smile and restore function in just a few days.
With a 95-97% success rate (read on PubMed), All-on-4 is also clinically proven to be one of the most successful dental treatments — so you can enjoy complete peace of mind.
All-on-4 uses a special technique for implant placement which, in most cases, allows us to replace at least 12 teeth without the need to add bone to your jaw — even if you have bone loss.
The All-on-4 technique was created by Nobel Biocare and uses four titanium implants: two straight anterior (front) implants and two angled posterior (back) implants.
The back implants are placed at a 45-degree angle to overcome bone deficiencies and utilise more bone density to support the tooth bridge. Over time, new bone growth attaches to the titanium implants, helping to further improve their strength and stability.
Without bone grafting, you’ll benefit from a shorter treatment time, a less painful procedure and less costs overall.
Trying to understand how much All-on-4 costs can be confusing. If you’ve been researching the cost of All-on-4 dental implants, you’ve likely seen a lot of prices online that are thousands of dollars apart.
The truth is there is no simple answer to the question: How much does All-on-4 cost?
But there are a few key factors that will determine the price of your All-on-4 treatment. We’ve dedicated an entire article to this topic to help you decipher what may affect your All-on-4 cost — check it out here.
Did you know you may also be able to access your superannuation to cover the costs of your All-on-4 treatment? Learn more about this process here.
After you come in for your initial consultation, you can expect to have your new set of All-on-4 teeth in around 2 to 4 weeks.
It generally takes between 3 to 4 hours to secure the All-on-4 dental implants in each jaw. During the surgery, all of your old teeth will be completely removed (if you still have them) so we can insert the implants.
In as little as 3 days! You’ll come back into our practice 2 to 3 days after your All-on-4 surgery to have your new tooth bridge inserted. First, you will receive the Elements tooth bridge which must be worn for around 6 months while your jawbone and gums heal. If you decide to upgrade to the Vitality or Prestige package, you will be able to switch over to your new tooth bridge after the first 6 months.
In theory, your All-on-4 dental implants should remain embedded in your jaw for as long as your jaw bone remains healthy.
Many patients have lived with their implants for over 30 to 40 years. In fact, the very first patient to receive dental implants — Mr Gösta Larsson from Sweden — lived his entire life with all of his implants functioning, until he passed away more than 40 years after his surgery.
It’s important to note that on rare occasions, dental implants can be rejected by the body. But in these cases, new implants can typically be placed after a healing period.
The longevity of your All-on-4 tooth bridge depends on the materials chosen. Acrylic teeth (like our Elements set) are made with softer materials similar to dentures and may need to be replaced every 5 or so years. Zirconia teeth (like our Prestige set) are made from highly durable materials and, with the right care, could last a lifetime.
For a smile to last a lifetime, you need to ensure proper care of your All-on-4 dental implants and tooth bridges. This includes:
At Dental Implants on Miller, you’ll be under twilight sedation (also known as IV sedation) while we carry out your All-on-4 surgery. Twilight sedation relaxes the body’s central nervous system, sending you into a calm, sleep-like state. With this type of sleep dentistry, you will remain conscious and responsive but you’ll be less reactive to what’s happening around you.
After your treatment, you will spend around an hour or two in our state-of-the-art recovery rooms as the anaesthesia wears off. Due to the amnesic effect of sedation, you may have very little or no memory of your procedure at all. Keep in mind that you will need a family member, partner or friend to escort you home after surgery as you won’t be able to drive.
Thanks to sedation dentistry, you’ll barely feel or be aware of anything during your All-on-4 surgery. Twilight sedation also helps to suppress your pain receptors so you won’t feel any pain or discomfort during your procedure.
As with any surgery, you can expect some discomfort, swelling and/or bruising in the days following your All-on-4 procedure. We will issue you with prescription painkillers to help you minimise any discomfort during this time.
Most healthy people will be good candidates for All-on-4 treatment. All-on-4 is suitable for most cases where a patient is seeking to replace all of their teeth. This includes cases where a patient is/has:
The best way to determine if All-on-4 dental implants are right for you is to book in your free consultation with Dr Adamo. During this consultation, Dr Adamo will assess your oral health, take x-rays to check your jaw bone and gums, and discuss the most appropriate treatment options for you.
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