All-On-4TM – A Graft-Free Approach
The All-On-4™ procedure may be a suitable option for individuals with extensive tooth loss, failing or deteriorating dental work, or those who experience challenges with removable dentures. This treatment involves placing a fixed full-arch bridge that is typically supported by four dental implants. It is designed to provide a stable alternative to conventional dentures or multiple individual implants.
At Sydney Dental Aesthetics and Implants, clinicians assess each person’s oral health, treatment goals, and clinical requirements to determine whether All-On-4™ or another option is the most appropriate approach. The suitability, expected outcomes, and potential risks are evaluated on an individual basis.
From no teeth to an All-on-4TM solution.
Enquire about All-on-4TM today!
What makes our practice different?
- Dr Dean Licenblat is a Diplomat member of the ICOI (International Congress of Oral Implantology).
- Where clinically suitable, we offer a number of different Anaesthetic solutions for our patient’s including twilight sedation and General Anaesthetics which can be done within our practice.
- We use PRGF, a technology that supports the body’s natural healing process following surgery.
- Our prosthesis typically contains a custom-fabricated metal bar which support strength and stability.
- We are a private practice and we are not owned by a corporate. We will treat you like family and we will still be here for you in many years to come.
The Process:
1. Initial Consultation
At this appointment we discuss your needs and wants and what your expectations are. A 3D X-ray is taken to assess the bone quality and quantity and whether or not you are a suitable candidate for All-on-4TM. A written treatment plan is then given to you outlining costs.
2. Diagnostics
Once treatment is decided, planning and preparing on our part is needed. Here we take impressions of your teeth and a series of pictures.
3. Treatment
The implants are placed on the day of surgery and your teeth (set in wax) are tested on this day and adjusted if required. Impressions of the implants are taken and your final prosthesis gets processed. You will typically receive your final prosthesis (teeth) 2 days after surgery. This ensures we provide you with a prosthesis that is not temporary and with a custom fabricated metal bar providing strength and stability.
In most cases, we are typically able to place four implants and restore a full arch of teeth without bone grafting. This is accomplished by the placement and angulation of the implants which utilise the available bone without grafting.
The use of the All-on-4TM technique can eliminate the need for bone grafting in more than 95% of full arch cases. Research done by Nobel Biocare & several universities worldwide show that, in most cases, four implants placed according to the All-on-4TM technique are very effective and successful in supporting a full arch fixed bridge in either jaw. Published studies indicate a 98.2% implant success rate when using the All-on-4TM technique in the lower jaw. Similar studies show a 97 to 98% success in the upper jaw for the same procedure.
On rare occasions (where bone is soft, worn down or of poor quality) additional implants may be needed, but these situations are the exception and generally only in the upper jaw.
Potential benefits of the All-On-4™ approach may include:
- Reduced treatment time compared with some conventional implant methods, as the full-arch bridge can often be placed on the same day as implant surgery (when clinically appropriate).
- Fewer implants required, which may make the procedure more efficient than some alternative full-arch restoration methods.
- A fixed full-arch prosthesis, designed to provide improved stability compared with removable dentures.
- A cleaning and maintenance routine similar to that of other implant-supported prostheses, with professional guidance provided by the treating clinician.
Is All-on-4TM For Me?
All-on-4TM is an advanced technique that allows us to place a full set of new teeth on four implants. This procedure aims to provide a fixed set of teeth that closely mimics the function and appearance of natural teeth.
A consultation by the very experienced team at the Sydney Dental Aesthetics and Implants will help us walk you through the All-on-4TM procedure to determine if it is the best solution for you.
The Upgradable Nature of the All-on-4™ System
All-on-4TM Upgrades are conducted at the 8-12 week mark when your gums and tissues will have healed. This timing allows the final prosthesis to be shaped in accordance with the healed contours of your mouth, which can support comfort and hygiene access.
This period also gives patients time to consider the appearance and feel of their provisional teeth before the final bridge is made. At this stage, different material options may be discussed, such as milled titanium frameworks, reinforced acrylic, or ceramic restorations. Your clinician will advise which option is appropriate based on your clinical needs and treatment plan.
The main differences include:
- A denture or partial denture is removable and typically needs to be taken out daily for cleaning.
- Some denture wearers may experience movement of the appliance during eating or speaking.
- Certain foods can be more difficult to manage with removable dentures due to their design and the way they distribute pressure.
- All-on-4™ teeth are attached to implants as part of an implant-supported fixed bridge. They are designed to remain in place and are cleaned in a similar way to regular teeth.
- The All-on-4TM bridge aims to give your bite more strength and stability, since the stress is transferred directly to the bone rather than to gum tissue.
- Adjustments to the prosthesis can be made, where appropriate, to support an aesthetic outcome that aligns with your clinical situation.