An important consideration when seeking any new treatment is safety. All medical procedures carry risks and the possibility of side effects and other complications.
All-on-4® is an innovative, advanced method of restoring one’s smile. It provides a brand-new permanent set of attractive, realistic-looking teeth. It differs from traditional dental implant procedures in several ways, most notably because it provides an entire “bridge” of permanent teeth resting on just four implants. Hence the name “All-on-4®”.
Are All-on-4® dental implants safe, and should you choose them over more standard implant procedures? All-on-4® implants are a relatively fast, painless and affordable procedure that gives you a big, bright smile, confidence, health and happiness.
The best way to determine if the procedure is right for you is to book a consultation with Next Smile Australia. We can address all your possible concerns, from “how long do All-on-4® dental implants last?” to “are All-on-4® dental implants the right treatment option for me?”
What are All-on-4® Dental Implants?
All-on-4® is a treatment method that takes a minimalist yet effective approach to provide dental implants. An entire “bridge” of teeth is fitted to your jaw using only four implants: two at the front and two at the back. This bypasses the need for bone grafts and speeds up your healing without requiring repeated dental appointments and visits or intensive surgery. Often, you receive your first set of “provisional” teeth on the day of surgery – and always within 24 hours of your dental implant surgery.
Next Smile Australia uses the Malo Protocol to deliver your treatment. Dr Paulo Malo created the concept in 1998 in partnership with Nobel Biocare and has trained the dentists and surgeons at Next Smile clinics. His sophisticated two-bridge process has a 98% success rate, and more than 100 scientific studies have verified its credibility.
The Malo Protocol is a two-part process that gives you a brand new set of teeth straight away, even as you wait for your permanent set to arrive. You’ll wear your provisional bridge, which already replicates the look and feel of natural teeth, for three to six months as your mouth heals around your implants. During that time, Next Smile and Nobel Biocare will prepare your ‘final bridge’, your complete set of new permanent teeth.
Are All-on-4® dental implants safe? The treatment is safe and effective, and the risk of any complications or side effects is exceptionally low. However, the next section covers in more detail the potential risks of the treatment.
Find out more about All-on-4® dental implants here.
Risks of All-on-4® Dental Implants
Safety is a concern for all of us, especially in challenging and unfamiliar situations such as undergoing a new medical procedure. The good news is that All-on-4® is a reliable approach with very little chance of side effects or problems occurring. Are All-on-4® dental implants safe? Very. But if anything should go wrong, common culprits are likely to include
Implant failure
All-on-4® carries a minimal risk of implant failure: the implant’s lack of ability to fuse to the bone. This can be caused by pre-existing conditions such as insufficient bone density and peri-implantitis, as well as the inexperience of dental practitioners. Nevertheless, it’s an extremely rare complication. And placing your surgery in the hands of competent, well-trained practitioners such as Next Smile Australia makes it even more unlikely to be a factor.
In the rare instance of an implant failure, a new implant can be used to replace it. This reduces the likelihood even further of it ever happening again.
Incorrect placement
In inexperienced hands, incorrect placement of dental implants can occur. For example, the implants may sit too low or too high in your jaw. The symptoms of incorrect placement include discomfort, swelling, altered speech and breakage. If the aesthetics of the dental bridge don’t look right, that’s another clear sign.
Incorrect placement can be remedied, but it’s better to avoid it completely in the first place. That’s why we work closely with Nobel Biocare to ensure that your ‘final bridge’ is made from the highest quality materials and designed to fit your mouth.
Infection
All-on-4® implants carry a very low risk of infection. If it occurs, infection is usually the result of poor dental practices, such as unsterilised equipment and implant failure, although being a smoker can raise your risk. Warning signs of infection to look out for include pain around the implant, bad breath and bleeding.
Dissatisfaction with the result
Another rare occurrence is that a patient can be unhappy with the final look of their dental implants. At Next Smile Australia, we go to great lengths to prevent this from ever occurring. We’ll make a treatment plan for you that perfectly meets your preferences and requirements and craft your teeth according to them. For the first three to six months, you’ll wear your provisional bridge, which gives you a feel for your new teeth and their appearance before your permanent set is attached.
Are All-on-4® dental implants safe? They’re very safe, especially in the hands of Next Smile Australia. You can trust our experience and deep knowledge of the procedure to provide you with the results you’re looking for.
How Long Do All-on-4® Dental Implants Last?
“How long do All-on-4® dental implants last?” is a question many new patients ask, and it’s an important consideration when using this or any other treatment.
All-on-4® implants are intended to be a permanent, lifelong solution. However, although they don’t decay, they require just as much care as normal teeth, including regular check-ups and cleaning. But look after them properly, and they can last 20+ years or even a lifetime.
If you’d like more information about or reassurance of the longevity of the implants, this study details a three-year clinical trial of 32 patients that shows a 100% cumulative prosthesis survival rate over a decade.
Get All-on-4® at Next Smile Australia
Are All-on-4® dental implants safe? Yes, but the best way to ensure you receive the highest quality treatment is to find an experienced, committed professional. How long do All-on-4® dental implants last? For a lifetime, the same principle applies. You need to not only find the right dental surgeon but commit to the ongoing care of your implants.
At Next Smile Australia, our dentists and surgeons are not only trained by Dr Malo, but they also operate according to a strict set of ethical procedures, including honesty, empathy and dedication.
All-on-4® treatments and other procedures are carried out at industry-leading super clinics: surgical grade, medically regulated environments designed to provide the highest levels of care. If you live in a more remote location far from a Super Clinic, our accredited partners let you access our services close to home with ease.
Our in-house labs allow us to create high-quality teeth in partnership with Nobel Biocare to provide you with a personalised set of teeth uniquely manufactured for your mouth.
If you’d like to find out more about Next Smile Australia and the All-on-4® treatment, we recommend attending an information session or arranging a personal consultation. Please get in contact with us for further information.