Whether you’re seeking single or All-On-4 dental implants, you won’t be too hard-pressed to find the treatment you need in Melbourne. There’s a dental clinic on almost every corner of this metropolis—though we reckon Stanley St Dental stands out among them all! At our Collingwood clinic, we can help you find the dental implants you need—but what exactly are they, and how do you know if you need just one or the full All-On-4 experience? In this blog post, we’ll address this question and give a deeper insight into All-On-4 dental treatment. So, without further ado, let’s sink our (artificial) teeth into it!
What Is a Set of All-on-4 Dental Implants?
All-On-4 dental implants are a full-arch set of dental crowns (more commonly referred to as a prosthesis) held in place with four titanium screws. This is the catch-all, cost-effective alternative to replacing an entire upper or lower arch with 10–14 individual implants. If you’re reading around and find yourself wondering, ‘are All-On-4 implants worth it?’, here’s your first clue: All-On-4 treatment is for the toothless, near-toothless or those with dental damage significant enough to necessitate a fresh set of chompers.
If you’re wondering what a dental implant is, all you need to know is it’s the next-best thing to a natural tooth. Unlike dentures, implants are permanent fixtures. In terms of longevity, you could compare them to dental bridges, but there is one way in which they differ: while bridges rest atop natural teeth, implants emulate and stand in for tooth roots using titanium screws. This involves invasive oral surgery. If you’re missing a tooth or two, single implants may be a good investment. However, if you’re needing to replace most or all teeth along one or both arches, All-On-4 implants are a less intensive, more streamlined way to do it.
Are All-on-4 Dental Implants Worth It?
As discussed, All-On-4 dental implants are worth it if you need to replace one or both arches with new teeth. They’re a much more permanent solution than dentures, which require more maintenance—as well as removal of a nighttime. The other major advantage of All-On-4 implants is that they prevent jaw recession. Once you lose an adult tooth at its root, your jawbone will no longer receive its usual stimulation from the chewing motions that tooth roots transmit to it. In turn, this leads to bone shrinkage—and consequently, jaw recession.
However, with a titanium screw standing in for a tooth root, you can avoid this problem altogether. As well as greater biting power, this is the major advantage of choosing All-On-4 implants over dentures. They’re the next best available thing to natural teeth. When compared with single implants, All-On-4 implants are a better option if you’re replacing most or all teeth. Because you’re getting all teeth on four screws (hence why it’s called All-On-4 treatment), you’ll be paying considerably less than you would be if you opted for a single screw per tooth.
Moreover, due to the streamlined nature of All-On-4 treatment, the surgery will be less invasive than that required for single implants. The advanced technique applied will negate all need for bone grafting, meaning you’ll need less time to recover from the procedure. So, how much are dental implants? In the case of All-On-4 treatment, you’re looking at an average of $23,000–$27,000 per arch. Although this is expensive, there are a number of payment options available, which you can discuss with your dentist. If you have private health or dental insurance, you should be able to cover some of the expenses via this method, too.
Getting the Most From Your All-On-4 Dental Implants
To get the most out of your All-On-4 dental implants, treat them as you would natural teeth: brush them at least twice per day, floss them at least once per day and book dental checkups once every 6 months. How long do dental implants last? With proper care, they can last at least a decade, perhaps 15–25 years, and potentially even a lifetime. Please note you may need to replace the dental prosthesis more regularly (every 10–15 years, with proper care) due to the daily wear and tear inherent to playing the role of teeth.
Get All-On-4 Dental Implants at Stanley St Dental
Whether you’re looking for All-On-4 treatment or a single tooth implant in Melbourne, Stanley St Dental is where you’ll want to get it done. We offer a range of dental treatments to help you restore your confident smile. Reach out to our clinic in Collingwood and discuss dental implants or whatever else you need to get your teeth in line or looking great. We can’t wait to help you unlock that smile you’ve always wanted!