Gaps in your smile aren’t something you have to deal with forever, and neither are poorly fitting dentures. If missing teeth have dampened your confidence, help is at hand. Dental implants offer a permanent and realistic-looking set of new teeth, and further advancements in dental technology have meant innovative treatments such as All-on-4® have made the process easier.
Dr Paulo Maló pioneered the treatment in 1998 with research sponsor Nobel Biocare. Essentially, it involves a complete set of permanent teeth (or ‘dental bridge’) being held in place by just four implants. These new teeth provide the authentic look, feel and functionality of a natural smile.
Dentures tend to last between 5-10 years but wear out even quicker if they aren’t the right fit. Dental implants are designed to be life-long but can be permanent or removable. So how long do All-on-4® dental implants last? And are All-on-4® dental implants removable?
All-on-4® implants are reassuringly long-lasting and come with an encouraging number of other benefits. This article explores some of those benefits in a little more depth while addressing the question, “how long do All-on-4® dental implants last?” You can also read a more detailed overview of what All-on-4® is and how it works.
How All-on-4® Works
Dental implants have a long history, dating back to ancient times in various forms. Permanent implants as we know them began to emerge in the 1980s with the use of titanium screws. Dr Maló’s treatment broke new ground. Rather than requiring a titanium screw to support every tooth, it allows an entire bridge of teeth to fit on just four dental implants. Hence the name All-on-4®.
At Next Smile, we work with the Maló Protocol, Dr Maló’s own and only clinically proven two-stage treatment. During stage one, you receive your first set of teeth, a ‘provisional bridge’ left in place for 3-6 months. As your bone adjusts its shape to fit the implants, you prepare for stage two: the ‘final bridge’, or your new set of permanent teeth.
A 98% success rate and over 25 years of clinical data support this type of approach’s effectiveness and power. How long do All-on-4® dental implants last? The following section covers that in greater detail.
Benefits of All-on-4® Dental Implants
Some of the foremost benefits of the treatment include
Longevity
How long do All-on-4® dental implants last? With proper care, they’re designed to last forever. While the implants aren’t subject to tooth decay, they still require regular check-ups and cleaning to ensure they work for a lifetime. Just like natural teeth.
Are All-on-4® dental implants removable? Once they’re in your mouth, they’re designed to never have to be removed, including for cleaning or before bed. Take care of your implants, and you’ll have a realistic set of teeth for good.
Natural appearance
If you’ve lost confidence in your smile, All-on-4® dental implants will bring it back. Designed especially to fit your mouth, they’re indistinguishable from natural teeth to the naked eye. Unlike ill-fitting or poor-quality dentures, there’s no danger of them looking fake. You’ll be able to open your mouth to smile in photographs or when meeting new people, secure in the knowledge that they won’t be able to tell the difference.
Full functionality
Your new implants will be able to do all the same things your teeth used to do: bite, chew, speak etc. They’re fully functional, which means you can use them and treat them the same way you would a regular set of teeth. They’re stable, behave just like any other set of teeth and will last a lifetime if you take proper care of them.
Fast recovery
All-on-4® is a relatively simple procedure, and sometimes you can get your set of provisional teeth on the same day you have your implants installed. This relatively quick process avoids the need for long, drawn-out processes and multiple visits. That means fewer appointments, a lower average cost than traditional treatments, and a faster recovery time. With less time required to take it easy and heal, you can be out there in the world faster, showing off your brand-new smile.
Easy maintenance
You can take care of All-on-4® implants the same way you’d take care of your natural teeth. All you have to do is clean them and get them regularly checked—no need to soak your teeth overnight or purchase special cleaning products.
Quick process
The process is often faster than you would expect and certainly quicker than many other treatments on the market. You’ll receive implants on the same day as your surgery and your ‘provisional bridge’ within 24 hours, but often on the same day. You’ll have a complete set of functioning teeth with no delay when you leave the clinic.
Relatively pain-free
Apart from the cost, the thought of pain makes most people wary of dental procedures. All-on-4® is performed under anaesthetic by a skilled dental surgeon. Although your gums may feel slightly sore afterwards, the procedure isn’t painful.
No bone grafts
Another benefit that makes the procedure easier and less painful is that it doesn’t require bone grafting, in which additional bone is added to the structure of your jaw. No bone grafting means fewer appointments, fewer potential complications, a less uncomfortable procedure and a faster recovery period.
98% success rate
The All-on-4® treatment has an overwhelmingly high rate of long-term success. Since 1998, more than 150,000 people have received the treatment. Subsequent clinical studies have confirmed its safety and efficacy. Overall, the treatment has a 98% success rate and very low rates of biological complications.
Peace of mind
In the hands of skilled dental surgeons, the All-on-4® procedure is extremely safe. The team at Next Smile Australia are the leading provider of All-on-4® treatments, meaning you’ll be in the safest and most experienced hands possible. Our friendly and caring team should immediately dispel any concerns about the treatment and put your mind at ease.
All-on-4® at Next Smile Australia
How long do All-on-4® dental implants last? Are All-on-4® dental implants removable? At Next Smile Australia, we can answer not only those questions but any others you may have about the procedure and provide you with more detailed information.
It takes a skilled dental professional to assess whether All-on-4® is the right treatment option for you. A Next Smile-certified dental surgeon will consider your dental and overall health, take CT scans of your jawbone and determine whether you’re a candidate for the treatment.
Our dental surgeons will provide you with the highest level of care and comfort in our industry-leading Surgical Super Clinics. Our empathetic team will ensure that your treatment is delivered in a safe and regulated way. We’re driven by a set of values that make our patients the focal point of everything we do. Values such as honesty, integrity, dedication and the highest level of personalised treatment no matter your medical history or circumstances.
Find out more about your potential treatment timeline for All-on-4®. If you believe the treatment may be right for you or have more questions, get in touch.