For those with deeper dental anxiety, we go the extra mile to help you feel as comfortable as possible. Our team can discuss options such as relaxation techniques and, where appropriate, NLP or hypnosis during an appointment. If additional support is needed, we can also discuss varying levels of sleep dentistry where clinically appropriate.
If you’re considering All-on-4 in Niddrie, we focus on patient-centred care and take the time to assess your individual needs. Our team has experience with complex treatments such as dental implants, and we offer a range of payment plans to help you manage eligible treatment costs.
Let’s look at what All-on-4 implants involve. All-on-4 refers to a treatment approach that uses four dental implants to support a full arch of replacement teeth. The full arch implants are placed into the jawbone and the replacement teeth are attached to them. The implants act as artificial tooth roots and may integrate with the surrounding bone over time. At Dental @ Niddrie Plaza, your dentist will discuss the materials used and the proposed treatment as part of your treatment planning. The replacement teeth are designed to provide a fixed restoration, although how they feel and function can vary between patients.
What Does “Teeth in a Day” Actually Mean?
If you’ve been researching All-on-4 online, you may have seen phrases such as “fixed teeth in a day” or “same-day teeth”. These terms can be confusing because the initial appointment and the complete treatment are not the same thing.
In some treatment plans, a temporary or provisional restoration can be attached to the implants during the initial treatment period. This means you may have a fixed temporary restoration while the implants heal and integrate with the jawbone.
The temporary restoration is not necessarily your final set of replacement teeth. Your final restoration is fitted at a later stage once your dentist has assessed the healing and determined that you are ready to progress.
Whether you receive a temporary restoration on the day of implant placement depends on your individual treatment plan and clinical assessment.
So, when comparing clinics for All-on-4 in Melbourne, ask what the clinic means when it describes treatment as “fixed teeth in a day”. It is worth finding out whether the quoted treatment includes temporary teeth, final teeth or both.
The All-on-4 Dental Implant Treatment Process
Considering All-on-4 in Niddrie VIC? Here’s a general overview of what the treatment process may involve. Your individual treatment plan and timeline will depend on your clinical assessment.
1. Initial Consultation and Assessment
Before starting, you’ll have a comprehensive consultation with your dental team. This includes:
- X-rays and imaging to assess jaw health and bone density
- Assessment and planning of implant placement based on your individual anatomy
- Discussion of any necessary preliminary treatments
If you require preparation procedures like bone grafting or tooth extractions, your dentist will explain whether these are needed and how they may affect the timing of implant treatment.
2. Implant Placement Procedure
Once your jaw is ready, the next step is placing the implants:
- Carried out using appropriate anaesthesia and measures to manage discomfort
- Titanium implants are placed into the jawbone to act as secure anchors
- The timing of implant placement will depend on your treatment plan
3. Fitting Your New Teeth
The final prosthetic teeth are custom-made in advance and fitted on the same day:
- A temporary or provisional restoration may be attached to the implants, depending on your treatment plan
- Your dentist will assess the fit and bite of the restoration
- You’ll receive instructions about caring for the restoration during the healing period
4. Recovery and Aftercare
After your procedure:
- You’ll attend follow-up appointments to monitor healing
- Your dentist will assess the healing tissues, implant integration and restoration as appropriate
- Our team will provide tailored care advice to help you maintain your implants, replacement teeth and surrounding oral tissues over time
Long-Term Results and Maintenance
All-on-4 implants can be a long-term tooth replacement option, but there is no guaranteed lifespan. How long the implants and replacement teeth remain functional varies between patients and may be influenced by factors such as oral hygiene, gum health, biting forces, general health and ongoing dental maintenance.
The replacement teeth may require maintenance, repair or replacement over time. Your dentist can explain the expected maintenance requirements as part of your treatment planning.
Cost & Payment Options
While we can’t provide an exact quote due to varying factors like:
- Required preparation treatments
- Inflation and material costs
…we can give a general idea: implants typically cost a few thousand dollars each. The All-on-4 method can help reduce total costs by requiring only four implants per arch, rather than one per tooth.
We also offer:
- Interest-free payment plans with long repayment terms
- Early superannuation access options
Eligibility, terms and conditions apply to payment options and any superannuation access arrangements. Our team can explain the options available to you.
Your dentist can provide a personalised treatment plan and quote after assessing your individual needs.
What Is Included in the Cost of All-on-4 in Melbourne?
When comparing the cost of All-on-4 treatment, it is worth looking at what each quote includes rather than comparing the headline figure alone.
Depending on the treatment plan, the overall cost may involve:
- initial consultation and treatment planning
- X-rays or other imaging
- implant placement
- temporary or provisional replacement teeth, where included
- the final full-arch restoration
- follow-up appointments
- laboratory and fabrication costs
- any additional procedures required before or during treatment
The exact inclusions vary between treatment plans and clinics, so ask for a clear breakdown before making a decision.
Aftercare
Your First Few Weeks After All-on-4
The first few weeks after All-on-4 treatment are about allowing the surgical areas to heal and giving the implants time to integrate with the jawbone. You may experience swelling, tenderness or discomfort during this period, and your dentist will provide instructions specific to your treatment.
The first few days
Immediately after treatment, you’ll need to take things gently. Your dentist will explain how to care for your mouth, what foods to choose and which activities to avoid.
If you have a temporary restoration, you’ll also receive instructions on how to look after it while your mouth heals.
Around one week
By around the first week, your initial swelling and tenderness may have started to settle, although recovery varies from person to person. You may still need to follow a modified diet and take care when cleaning around the treated areas.
Your follow-up appointment is an opportunity for your dental team to check the healing areas and answer any questions about your recovery.
Weeks two to four
During the following weeks, your mouth may begin to feel more settled, but the implants are still undergoing the longer process of integration with the jawbone.
This means feeling better does not necessarily mean the treatment is complete. Continue following your dentist’s instructions and attend the recommended follow-up appointments.
The following months
Implant integration can take several months. Your dentist will monitor your progress and determine when the implants are ready for the next stage of treatment.
There is no single recovery schedule that applies to every patient. The timeframe can be affected by your oral health, the extent of treatment, any additional procedures and how your body heals.
Eating during recovery
Your diet may need to be softer initially. Your dentist will explain which foods to avoid and when you can gradually return to a wider range of foods.
Hard, crunchy or very chewy foods may need to be avoided during parts of the healing period, particularly if you have a temporary restoration. Follow the advice provided by your dental team rather than assuming that the same diet applies to every All-on-4 patient.
What If an Implant Does Not Integrate?
Most people considering implant treatment want to know what happens if an implant does not integrate with the jawbone as expected.
If an implant does not integrate successfully, your dentist will assess the implant and surrounding tissues to determine the appropriate next step. Depending on the circumstances, this may involve monitoring the area, removing the implant or allowing the area to heal before considering further treatment.
An implant problem can have different causes, and the appropriate approach depends on factors such as the implant site, healing and your overall oral health.
This is one reason ongoing dental care is important after All-on-4 treatment. Regular follow-up allows your dental team to monitor the implants, replacement teeth and surrounding tissues over time.
Good oral hygiene and professional maintenance are important, but they cannot guarantee that complications will not occur.
If you are concerned about an implant after treatment, contact your dental team so the area can be assessed.
Who May Be Suitable for All-on-4 Dental Implants?
When you’ve experienced tooth loss, you’re likely to also begin losing bone density in the jaw. This is because the roots are now missing, so your jaw can struggle and begin to degrade without those structures in place. This loss of bone density can make people unsuitable for implants, as they require a certain amount of bone to be placed into.
Tooth loss can be associated with changes to the jawbone over time. Reduced bone volume may affect implant treatment planning, but having some bone loss does not automatically mean that All-on-4 treatment is unsuitable.
How All-on-4 May Compare With Other Tooth Replacement Options
All-on-4 treatment may be considered in some cases where there has been bone loss, but suitability depends on the individual’s anatomy, available bone, oral health and overall treatment plan. Your dentist will assess these factors before recommending treatment.
Implant-supported replacement teeth can offer an alternative to removable options such as conventional dentures. Your dentist can explain the differences between these options, including how they are supported, maintained and used in everyday life.
All-on-4 treatment may provide a fixed replacement for a full arch of missing teeth. However, how the replacement teeth feel and function can vary between patients and depends on factors such as the treatment plan, oral health and healing.
Tooth loss can also be associated with changes to the appearance and function of the mouth over time. Replacement teeth can provide support for the structures around the mouth, but the effect on facial appearance, speech and confidence will vary between individuals.
All-on-4 vs Implant-Supported Dentures
While both treatments use dental implants, they are not the same type of restoration.
| All-on-4 | Implant-supported dentures |
Restoration | Fixed full-arch restoration | Removable denture |
Implant support | Four implants per arch in the All-on-4 approach | The number of implants varies by treatment plan |
Removal | Not removed by the patient as part of normal daily care | Removed by the patient |
Cleaning | Requires cleaning around the fixed restoration | Restoration can be removed for cleaning |
Treatment planning | Requires assessment of the full arch, bone and bite | Depends on the denture and implant plan |
Neither option is automatically right for everyone. Your dentist will consider your oral health, available bone, bite, treatment needs and preferences when discussing which options may be appropriate.
What Type of Replacement Teeth Are Used with All-on-4?
The implants are only one part of All-on-4 treatment. The replacement teeth attached to the implants are another important consideration when comparing treatment plans.
Your dentist can discuss the type of restoration recommended for you, including the materials used, how it is supported and how it will be maintained. Different materials and restoration designs can have different considerations in terms of appearance, function, maintenance and cost.
When comparing quotes between clinics, ask which type of final restoration is included and whether the quoted price covers the temporary and final replacement teeth.
What Happens While Your Implants Heal?
When you use one implant per tooth, there is a waiting period during the process while you wait for the implant sites to heal. With All-on-4 treatment, a temporary restoration may be fitted during the initial treatment period, depending on your individual treatment plan. Your dentist can explain when temporary and final replacement teeth may be provided.
For people who have lost multiple teeth, the overall treatment timeline is one factor to consider when comparing replacement options. Your dentist can discuss the expected stages and healing period with you before treatment begins.
If you’re considering All-on-4 treatment, you can book an appointment on our website or give us a call on (03) 9374 1222, and our friendly team will be happy to help. Read Less