Dental implants, dental bridges, dentures: there are several different ways to treat missing teeth. Rightly or wrongly, however, restorative dental treatments tend to be associated with older people. In the popular imagination, the typical patient for a treatment like dentures is in their 70s or 80s. But is this an accurate picture?
It’s certainly true that the likelihood of losing all your natural teeth rises as you get older. Australian survey data has shown that the percentage of people with no natural teeth left in those aged 65 and over is almost 20%, compared to 3.2% of those in the 45-64 age bracket. Missing teeth is a more common problem than many people realise, however. One in 25 people aged 15 and over have no natural teeth remaining. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare says that, on average, adults in Australia have 4.5 missing teeth. In Australia, gum disease, tooth decay and trauma are the most common reasons for tooth loss, while genetic conditions like hypodontia can cause dental gaps from birth..
While missing teeth are common, it’s best to get them treated as soon as possible. Even one missing tooth can have an impact on your whole mouth that changes the shape of your face entirely. Other teeth can shift out of place to fill the gaps, leading to a crooked smile or malocclusion. Everyday tasks such as speaking or eating can become more difficult. The jawbone will often weaken from lack of use, which puts more teeth at risk. Plus, an open pocket in the gum can allow bacteria to seep in, leading to gum infection and disease and, eventually, problems in other parts of the body.
All-on-4® is a treatment that provides a new, natural-looking smile in as little as 24 hours. But who is eligible for All-on-4®? Is it possible to be too young or too old for the treatment? This article takes a closer look at the nature of the treatment itself and whether or not age plays a role.
What is All-on-4®?
If you’ve lost all or most of your teeth, two of the most commonly used treatment options are dentures and dental implants. Both are effective choices that serve many of the same functions, like helping you to speak and eat again and supporting the muscles in your face. The main point of difference is that while dentures are removable prosthetics, dental implants are implanted into the jawbone. Titanium screws are inserted into your jawbone to replace the roots of every missing tooth, and an artificial tooth (a “crown”) rests on the top.
The implants inserted during the All-on-4® treatment are also inserted into the jawbone, but there’s one significant difference between them and more traditional implants. With All-on-4®, an entire ‘bridge’ or arch of new teeth is attached using just four implants: two at the front and two at the back on each jawbone. This innovative approach, pioneered by Dr Paulo Malo in partnership with Nobel Biocare, has a surprisingly high number of advantages. You receive your new smile within 24 hours of your implant surgery. The procedure is designed to completely avoid the need for measures like dental bone grafting, which can be painful and uncomfortable, and draw out healing times even longer. The procedure has a 98% success rate and has already been undertaken on thousands of patients.
At Next Smile Australia, we use a two-bridge process called ‘The Malo Protocol’. During stage one, you receive your ‘provisional bridge’, your first set of teeth that you keep in your mouth for three to six months. Over this time, the implants will have fused to the bone, and you’ll be ready for your ‘final bridge’, your new teeth.
While not every procedure suits everyone, many are very much suited to All-on-4® treatment. Several factors go into assessing whether the treatment is right for you. Maybe someone has told you you’re too young for All-on-4® or dental implants or too old to start afresh with a new smile. Age, however, is not the deciding factor when it comes to assessing your suitability for All-on-4®. There are several more relevant considerations.
Who Needs The All-on-4® Treatment?
If you’re ready to improve the look of your smile, All-on-4® may be the right solution for you, regardless of age.
The All-on-4® treatment is a significant commitment. But when you see the results, we think you’ll agree it’s worthwhile. Potential candidates for All-on-4® treatment include those who’ve lost all or most of their teeth due to injury, decay or illness, people with advanced gum disease, and people who can’t have their teeth restored or will gain no benefits from doing so. The criteria for All-on-4® is different to regular single or multiple tooth implants, so eligibility is left to a Next Smile Australia professional on an individual basis.
Is The All-on-4® Treatment Just for Seniors?
To answer the question simply, no. The All-on-4® treatment is not just for seniors, although seniors can certainly be potential candidates for the treatment. All-on-4® isn’t determined based on age. It can provide you with a new smile you can be happy with, whether you’re 27 or 77. If there’s any reason All-on-4® is NOT the right treatment option for you, Next Smile Australia will be open and honest with you about it, and it’s unlikely to be related to your age. The only way to know for sure, however, is to arrange a personal consultation with a member of the Next Smile Australia team.
Book a Consultation at Next Smile Australia Today
Regardless of your age, Next Smile Australia can give you a new smile with the innovative treatment of All-on-4®. Next Smile Australia is driven by the desire to bring our patients the very best, both in the depth of care of our treatment and in the technology we use.
Our staff members share a common set of values and ethics that guide how we conduct your treatment process. We’re dedicated to providing the best possible results. Throughout your journey, we’ll listen to your concerns and ensure we provide you all the support you need. Our continued efforts to stay at the forefront of our industry guarantee that whatever arises, we’ll always be able to support you.
Around the country, our purpose-built All-on-4® Surgical Super Clinics provide our patients with the highest standard of care in hygienic, medically regulated environments. These clinics are staffed by dental surgeons personally trained by Dr Malo and have facilities such as in-house dental laboratories and state-of-the-art surgical rooms. Within these facilities, all of your appointments will occur under one roof, from your initial consultation to your surgery.
If you don’t live near a Super Clinic, our accredited partners provide the same standard of care closer to home. You’ll only have to travel to your nearest Super Clinic for a surgical consultation and on the day of your surgery.
No matter how old or young you may be, there’s still time to gain a new smile. If you’d like to find out more about the All-on-4® treatment or arrange a personal consultation, get in touch with Next Smile Australia.