Sports-related dental injuries are more common than many people may think. Sports-related injuries account for nearly 40% of dental injuries, and the damage they cause is often extensive. Common dental injuries in sports include teeth that have been cracked, dislodged or knocked out, root fractures and tooth intrusions (the driving of a tooth back into the gum). While safety devices like mouthguards provide some protection against dental injuries, many athletes don’t wear them. This is especially the case for sports such as basketball and baseball, which have surprisingly high rates of injuries. Safety devices also can’t do much when the damage has already been done. By that stage, your only option is a restorative dental treatment or dental reconstruction.
Your treatment options depend on the type and the severity of your injuries and could range from a simple crown to root canal therapy or dental implants. If your dental damage is severe and you’ve lost all or most of your teeth, you may be a candidate for All-on-4® treatments.
All-on-4® will give you a brand new set of permanent, natural-looking teeth and a smile that you can proudly show to the world. It’s the closest you can come to turning back time to before your sports injury and may even provide you with a more beautiful set of teeth than you had before.
Whatever their cause, missing teeth should be replaced for the sake of your oral health and the health of your body in general. If dental injuries in sports caused your missing teeth, you can put the trauma behind you and begin a new chapter of your life with All-on-4®.
So what exactly does this treatment involve?
What is All-on-4®?
You’ve most likely heard of dental implants, surgically inserted artificial teeth designed to replace missing ones permanently. In this procedure, a series of dental implants that resemble screws are inserted into the jawbone, and manufactured teeth (also known as crowns) are fixed to the top. Over time, the bone grows around each implant and helps to hold it in place. Dental implants are effective and last forever, but having them implanted can be a long process with a drawn-out recovery time, particularly if it involves uncomfortable procedures such as bone grafting.
What if there was a way to achieve a full set of impressive-looking new permanent teeth in as little as 24 hours?
That’s the role that All-on-4® fulfils. All-on-4® is an advanced restorative dental procedure that gives you a stunning new set of permanent teeth resting on only four implants: two at the front and two at the back.
Dr Paulo Malo pioneered the All-on-4® treatment in 1998, and Next Smile Australia uses the Malo Protocol, his revolutionary two-bridge process. This process is delivered in two stages. In stage one, you’ll receive the implants and your first set of new teeth, a “provisional bridge” left in place for three to six months. You’ll have already experienced the life-changing, joyous effects of having a new, perfect smile by the time you’re ready for stage two. When your mouth has healed to accommodate the implants, you’re ready for your “final bridge”, or full set of permanent teeth. Next Smile Australia-affiliated dental laboratories use the highest quality materials to manufacture your new teeth at this stage.
All-on-4® has several benefits, especially when delivered in the format of the Malo Protocol: a 98% success rate, a faster recovery period, a new set of teeth in as little as 24 hours and no bone grafting, among others. Every dental surgeon at Next Smile Australia is personally trained by Dr Malo and brings both experience and empathy to their practice.
Who is a Candidate for All-on-4®?
Several factors may affect your eligibility for All-on-4®. A certified Next Smile surgeon will take a comprehensive look at your oral health and dental history to make that call. Next Smile Australia will take CBCT scans of your jawbone, digital impressions and photographic imagining and, after examining your results, recommend a personalised treatment solution.
All-on-4® is an option for people who have lost all or most of their teeth and have enough density in their jaw to accommodate implants. Patients should be healthy enough to handle minor oral surgery and brief recovery periods. Certain medical conditions may complicate the process or exclude you from accessing All-on-4®, but generally, it’s an excellent option for those who need dental reconstruction.
Whether you’ve lost your teeth through genetics, illness, lifestyle or trauma such as dental injuries in sports, All-on-4® prevents the problems associated with long-term tooth loss from occurring and gives you a fresh start with a realistic, convincing smile.
If you’re on a tight budget, we don’t want that to hold you back from getting the new set of teeth you’ve been dreaming about. That’s why we’re transparent about pricing and offer dental payment plans through third-party providers.
You don’t have to live with the damage caused by dental injuries in sports or any other physical trauma when you’re eligible for All-on-4®.
All-on-4® Surgery
Your All-on-4® journey begins with a consultation with Next Smile Australia. During this appointment, a surgeon will take photographs, scans and digital impressions of your jawbone to assess your suitability for the treatment. If your surgeon establishes that the treatment is right for you, Next Smile Australia will prepare a treatment plan that suits your needs and goals. Based on your scans and impressions, Next Smile will begin to craft your first set of provisional teeth. Quite often, they’ll be ready as soon as you wake up from surgery, but always within 24 hours.
On the day of your surgery, four high-quality Nobel Biocare implants are inserted into your jaw, followed by your set of provisional teeth. As you get on with your life and enjoy the advantages of your brand-new smile, we work on shaping your beautiful set of final teeth.
Get All-on-4® at Next Smile Australia
Whether the damage to your teeth was caused by dental injuries in sports or anything else, the team at Next Smile Australia are dental reconstruction professionals. Book a consultation with us, and we’ll be happy to assess if All-on-4® is the right restorative dental treatment for you.
All of our dentists and surgeons are personally trained in All-on-4® by Dr Malo and are guided by values such as dedication, empathy and honesty.
We have a network of Super Clinics across the country that are medically regulated, surgical-grade environments designed to provide our patients with the highest level of care. These clinics come with the latest state-of-the-art technology, so Next Smile can ensure your treatment is safe and efficient: in-house dental laboratories, state-of-the-art surgical rooms, x-rays, and CBCT scans. Leading dental surgeons and onsite general anaesthetists are ready to ensure the best possible outcomes for you and the highest quality of care.
If you live a long way from an All-on-4® Super Clinic, our accredited partners offer the same level of treatment and an equally considerate approach in more remote locations.
If you’d like to find out more about All-on-4® treatment, attend an information session or arrange for a personal consultation, contact Next Smile Australia.