General Dentistry

If you’ve been researching teeth replacement options, you’ve likely seen All-on-4 dental implants pop up as a very popular solution.

But what is All on 4, exactly? And what happens during the All on 4 procedure?

Never fear! We’re here to answer all your All on 4 questions.

All-on-4 dental implants offer a natural-looking, highly durable and fixed solution for patients who have lost all or most of their teeth. Secure and comfortable in the mouth, they look and feel just like the real thing.

And that’s not even the best part…

This life-changing dental implant treatment helps patients go from struggling with severely broken down or no teeth for years to a full-arch of fixed and functional teeth in just days (yes, you read that right — days!)

Keep reading to learn all you need to know about All-on-4, including how this treatment works, what to expect during the All-on-4 dental implants procedure and how much it costs.

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What is All-on-4?

‍All-on-4 dental implants are a full-arch (or smile) restoration for those who are looking to replace all or most of the teeth in their upper or lower jaw. These patients may have severely broken down teeth or tooth loss due to gum disease, decay or injury. Many All-on-4 patients we see at our dental clinics were also once denture-wearers who wanted a more secure, fixed solution.

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The All on 4 procedure involves the placement of (at least) four titanium dental implants in the jaw to securely hold a tooth bridge or implant bridge of up to 12 teeth in place. And you won’t have to wait too long for your new smile —  the tooth bridge can be connected to the dental implants in as little as 3 days after implant surgery. This means you can restore your ‘full’ smile and oral function in a matter of days.

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What is the All on 4 dental procedure?

The innovative placement technique used in the All on 4 dental implants procedure is what really sets this treatment apart from the traditional full mouth dental implants method. With this technique, two implants are placed straight at the front of the jaw and two implants are placed at a 45-degree angle at the back of the jaw.

The angled implants are able to utilise more bone density to support the implant teeth. In most cases, this should help to overcome any bone deficiencies — and even patients with jaw bone loss may not require bone grafting.

Over time, the jaw bone grows around the titanium implants, giving them even more stability and strength. This process is called osseointegration and usually takes around 3-6 months (this occurs during your healing period).

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All on 4 procedure step-by-step: What to expect during this treatment

At Illumident, we partner with Next Smile Australia to deliver All-on-4 treatment. Next Smile Australia are pioneers in the All-on-4 treatment in Australia, using the Nobel Biocare fixed full-arch treatment and the clinically-proven Malo Protocol, which has a 98% success rate backed by over 25 years of clinical data.

What does all of that mean for you? It means you can trust you’re in the most experienced hands for your All-on-4 treatment.

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Here’s what the All on 4 dental implants procedure might look like for you:

• Step 1: Consultation
  Attend your free consultation with our Principal Dentist Dr Isabel Holmes at our Mount Gambier clinic to determine whether the All-on-4 procedure is right for you.
  
  
• Step 2: Follow-up appointment
  See the Illumident team again for digital scans and imaging of your teeth and gums. Dr Holmes and the Next Smile Australia team will then plan out your treatment. These scans will also be used to design your custom-crafted tooth bridge.
  
  
• Step 3: Implant placement
  Your implant surgery will be performed by the team at the purpose-built Next Smile Australia Super Clinic in Adelaide. You’ll also be fitted with your temporary tooth bridge shortly after surgery.
  
  
• Step 4: Final tooth bridge
  Return to Illumident Mount Gambier for your post-op care and final tooth bridge fitting with Dr Holmes.

Will I be awake during the All-on-4 procedure?

For most patients, the All-on-4 procedure will be performed under general anesthesia (GA). This type of sedation puts you into an unconscious sleep-like state where you won’t react to any reflexes or external stimuli. GA also has an amnesic effect which means you likely won’t remember a thing from your procedure. Local anaesthetic is also used to numb your mouth so you won’t feel any pain or discomfort. After your procedure, you will need someone to escort you home as you cannot drive after GA.

Dr Holmes and the Next Smile Australia team will take your medical history and overall health into account when assessing which sedation option is right for you. It’s also important to note that sedation will incur additional fees.

Is All-on-4 painful?

As we mentioned above, local anaesthetic is used to ensure you don’t feel any pain during the All-on-4 procedure. After your surgery, you may experience some mild discomfort, swelling and tenderness for a few days, but this can be easily managed with over-the-counter pain medication.

When will I receive my new teeth?

Generally, Next Smile Australia can provide your temporary tooth bridge on the same day as your implant surgery. In some cases, the teeth may need to be inserted on the following day (within 24 hours of surgery).

This temporary tooth bridge must be worn for around 6 months while your jaw and gums heal and while your jaw bone fuses with the dental implant.

After the healing period is complete, you’ll be fitted with your final tooth bridge and ready to share your gorgeous new smile with the world!

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How much does the All on 4 procedure cost?

At Illumident Mount Gambier, the cost of All-on-4 starts from $27,000 for a single arch (upper or lower jaw).

However, it’s important to note that your overall All on 4 procedure cost will depend on a few key factors, including:

• The complexity of your case and whether you require additional procedures
• The materials used in your final tooth bridge
• The type of sedation used during your surgery

Want more personalised advice on the cost of your All-on-4 treatment? Book your free All-on-4 consultation online. During this consultation, we’ll discuss your treatment options and break down all the costs involved.

Concerned about the cost of All-on-4?

All on 4 dental implants are an investment — not just in your smile, but in your quality of life. That’s why we offer affordable All-on-4 payment plans to help you take the stress out of paying for your dental implant treatment. Plus, you may also be able to access your superannuation to cover your All on 4 costs (learn more about this process here).

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How do I know if the All on 4 procedure is right for me?

The good news is that All-on-4 dental implants are suitable for most patients. If you’re thinking about replacing your smile with All-on-4, the first step is to see us for your free consultation with Dr Isabel Holmes. During this 45-minute appointment, we will assess your overall oral health and discuss whether the All on 4 implant procedure is suitable for you.

Have a quick question about All-on-4 implants? Just ask! We’re always here to help. You can either contact us online or call us at our Mount Gambier practice on (08) 8725 2441 or our Port Fairy practice on (03) 5568 2577.