Restorative dentistry and dental implants have a long history. In the 1950s, Swedish professor Per-Ingvar Brånemar discovered osseointegration, the process by which the body can tolerate and fuse with titanium.
This discovery in the 1950s led to Professor Brånemar creating and placing the world’s first titanium implant in 1965. This was a historical moment for dentistry and paved the way for the All-on-4® treatment concept.
In the 1990s, four decades after discovering osseointegration, Professor Paulo Malo from Portugal, alongside implant manufacturer Nobel Biocare, built on Professor Brånemar’s work.
It was during this time they developed the All-on-4® treatment concept, which features posterior implants tilted at a 45-degree angle. By 1998, Professor Malo treated his first-ever patient using the All-on-4® treatment concept. Now, All-on-4® is used worldwide as an alternative to traditional dentures.
The All-on-4® process using Professor Paulo Malo’s ‘Malo Protocol’ is divided into two stages. In the first stage, four dental implants are placed strategically in areas of either the upper or lower jawbone where bone density is highest. By leveraging technology, the dentist performing the All-on-4® treatment process can ensure the implants are placed in the jaw in a spot that is maximised for support and stability.After the All-on-4® dental implant surgery, temporary, full-arch prosthetic teeth are attached within the first 24 hours. In the second stage of the process, after the patient has undergone osseointegration, the temporary arch is removed and replaced by a custom-made “final” bridge.
Technology is critical for the best results when it comes to the All-on-4® treatment, from the start of the process to the end. It helps the dentist get a full picture of an individual’s teeth, jaw, and overall oral well-being.
The Technology Used When Getting All-on-4®
The All-on-4® treatment process employs various technologies, including jawbone scans, digital impressions, and photographic imaging. This technology is crucial for the treatment, as it allows the dentist to get a clear idea of the individual’s jaw structure and teeth.
Jawbone scans
During the initial consultation for All-on-4® treatment, a dentist will conduct jawbone scans to better understand the individual’s bone density. Bone density is important for determining whether the individual’s jaw can support All-on-4® dental implants and what placement would be best.
The average bone density required for a successful All-on-4® dental implant is typically less than that required for traditional dental implants. Through jawbone scans, the dentist can accurately calculate the individual’s bone density and other aspects of the jaw.
Digital impressions
Digital impressions allow for more accurate and comfortable impressions of a patient’s oral structure, including teeth. This helps the dentist get a precise idea of the patient’s current smile and helps when creating the All-on-4® prosthetic arch of teeth.
Photographic imaging
Images of the patient’s teeth, gums, and overall mouth help the dentist clearly assess the patient’s oral situation. Photographic imaging can also be used to educate patients and help them understand the rationale for the All-on-4® treatment. During the All-on-4® process, the images and digital impressions can also be used as references for creating the prosthetics.
How Technology Improves the All-on-4® Result
Technological advancements in dentistry are critical to the All-on-4® treatment process and help improve the final result for All-on-4® dental implants, improving patient outcomes and satisfaction.
Below, we’ve outlined the key ways technology aids and improves the All-on-4® result.
- The placement of the dental implants is critical to the success of the All-on-4® procedure. Advanced imaging technology, like Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT), can provide detailed scans of a patient’s jawbone structure. This information is crucial, as it allows the dentist performing the All-on-4® procedure to accurately assess the individual’s jaw bone density and what areas would be best to place the dental implants. This increases the chance for success when it comes to osseointegration and long-term outcomes.
- Utilising advanced imaging technology, like CBCT, can also help dentists identify potential issues that relate to the jawbone and surrounding tissues.
- The use of computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing software and tools also allows for a higher level of precision in dental prosthetics. This enables dentists to create prosthetics tailored to the patient's unique anatomy when performing the All-on-4® treatment.
- Computer-aided design and manufacturing also reduce the time it takes for dentists and clinics to produce prosthetics. This often allows patients to receive new teeth on the day of their surgery.
Technology has greatly enhanced the All-on-4® treatment concept. Not only is it integral to the consultation process and obtaining a clear picture of the jaw structure, it also is crucial for the development and fit of the All-on-4® teeth.
The innovations in technology improving the All-on-4® treatment concept also play a vital role in providing more reliable and predictable outcomes.
Renew Your Smile at Next Smile Australia
Start your journey to a new All-on-4® smile with Next Smile Australia. At our Next Smile Australia Super Clinics, we follow the Malo Protocol, a two-bridge treatment process pioneered by Dr. Paulo Malo.
The Malo Protocol treatment process begins with surgery to have the All-on-4® dental implants placed. This is also where a “provisional” bridge will be attached until the dental implants fuse with the jawbone. Once the jawbone fuses with the high-quality, biocompatible titanium material, the patient will return to Next Smile Australia for their “final” bridge. This bridge is crafted in an in-house Next Smile Australia laboratory using genuine Nobel Biocare components. It is custom-designed and tailored for the individual.
The All-on-4® treatment has a 98% proven success rate. Compared to traditional restorative dental methods, the All-on-4® treatment also has a faster recovery time for most people and is less invasive without the need for bone grafting.
At Next Smile Australia, we also use the latest technology in aiding the All-on-4® treatment. This includes jawbone scans, digital impressions and photographic imaging, so you get the best results.
If you have any questions regarding the All-on-4® treatment or treatment timelines, reach out and contact the Next Smile Australia team. We’d be happy to answer any queries.