Although Australians are living longer and healthier lives than ever before, older age commonly comes with health complications. This includes oral health issues. While missing teeth are very common in Australia, they’re especially prevalent for older Australians aged 65 and over. More than 20% of Australians aged 65+ and more than a third of Australians aged 75+ are missing all of their teeth.
Oral health is important at any age, but adults in their retirement years often face challenges when it comes to accessing proper dental care. The high cost of living, the lack of Medicare rebates for dental treatments, long public sector waiting lists and pain masked by medications for other health issues are among the reasons many older Australians are struggling to take care of their teeth.
If you’ve been living with missing or badly damaged teeth for a while, it might be hard to imagine being able to smile the way you used to, especially if you’re on a tight retirement budget. Yet the All-on-4® treatment can provide seniors with brand-new smiles in as little as 24 hours.
All-on-4® is an advanced method of restorative dentistry with a 98% success rate. It has provided hundreds of thousands of satisfied patients with fully functional new teeth. If All-on-4®’s affordability is your main concern, here is how Next Smile Australia makes All-on-4® affordable for seniors.
The All-on-4® Treatment Process
Dr Paulo Malo pioneered the All-on-4® procedure in 1998. The process is similar to traditional dental implants, which involve inserting titanium screws into the jawbone to replace each missing tooth’s roots. All-on-4®’s key difference is that it uses just four implants, two at the front and two at the back in either the upper or lower jawbone, to replace an entire arch of missing teeth.
The All-on-4® treatment process starts with a personal consultation with one of the Next Smile Australia team, in which we take your dental and medical history into account. If All-on-4® is the right treatment for you, we’ll take scans of your jawbone, digital impressions and x-rays to send to our technicians in our in-house laboratory. Then, they can begin to design and construct your artificial teeth tailored specifically for your jaw from the finest Nobel Biocare materials.
Next Smile Australia uses ‘The Malo Protocol’, Dr Paulo Malo’s own two-stage treatment process. After your implant surgery, you receive a provisional bridge to leave in place for three to six months. When your new dental implants have successfully fused with your jawbone in a process known as osseointegration, you’ll be ready for the fitting of your final bridge.
All-on-4® is a treatment designed for patients who have lost all or most of their teeth. If you’re only missing a tooth or two, traditional implants are a better option. But if full mouth reconstruction is your only option for a new smile, All-on-4® provides lasting, realistic results.
Why All-on-4® Suits Seniors
All-on-4® has benefits for all age groups, but here are some of the major reasons it suits the needs of seniors:
Results within 24 hours
When you receive treatment with All-on-4®, you never have to wait more than 24 hours for your provisional set of teeth. Often, they will be ready as soon as you wake up from your implant surgery. This means fewer appointments, which is useful if you have limited mobility or can’t drive to the dentist.
It has a shorter recovery time
Traditional dental implants can take several months to heal. The older you are, the slower the healing process can become. All-on-4® has a briefer recovery time (depending on your own health and other circumstances).
No dental bone grafting
There are many potential health effects of untreated, missing teeth. One common consequence is that without the regular stimulation of chewing and biting, you lose density in your jawbone, a process known as reabsorption. When your jawbone has insufficient density to support new dental implants, dental bone grafting becomes necessary. The loss of bone density that accompanies aging and conditions such as arthritis can further complicate your treatment. All-on-4® avoids the need for dental bone grafting by targeting stronger areas of the jawbone. This also helps to reduce recovery time.
Natural-looking teeth
All-on-4® dental implants are designed to look, feel and function like natural teeth.
Prevents further bone loss
The All-on-4® treatment preserves your existing jawbone density and prevents the loss of further teeth, allowing you to enjoy a range of foods into old age.
A long-lasting alternative to dentures
Many Australians over 65 rely on dentures to enjoy the full functionality of their teeth. But unlike dentures, All-on-4® teeth don’t need to be removed for cleaning, won’t cause discomfort or soreness and pose no danger of popping out at social events.
Despite the benefits that All-on-4® dental implants have for seniors, one consideration that causes some older Australians to hesitate is the cost. Dental care isn’t cheap, so how does Next Smile Australia balance prioritising All-on-4®’s affordability with providing high standards of care?
Payment Options Available For Seniors
With a single All-on-4® arch priced at $27,000, the procedure is already relatively affordable compared to similarly involved procedures like hip and knee replacements. Next Smile Australia’s All-on-4® pricing includes a no-obligation consultation, surgery performed by a highly specialised dental surgeon, treatment at a state-of-the-art facility and both your provisional and final bridges.
However, Next Smile Australia has a few different payment options available to make All-on-4® more accessible to seniors:
Payment plans
You can pay off your All-on-4® treatment with payment plans starting from as little as $140 per week, subject to conditions from our third-party providers. Rest assured, we’ll do our best to accommodate your budgetary needs and payment preferences.
5% discount
If you pay for the full cost of your treatment upfront, you receive a 5% discount on either your single or double arch.
Accessing super
If accessing your superannuation is the most effective way for you to pay for All-on-4® treatment, we’ll help you navigate the process and help to make it as easy as possible for you.
Find Out If You Are Suitable At Next Smile Australia
If you’ve lost all or most of your teeth, there’s a very high likelihood that All-on-4® is the right treatment option for you. Next Smile Australia provides solutions to missing teeth for people from all walks of life, including seniors.
Our dedicated and empathetic team carry out all All-on-4® procedures at our industry-leading Super Clinics. These award-winning, safe and hygienic centres come with in-house dental laboratories and state-of-the-art surgical rooms. Our skilled surgeons and anaesthetists carry out your treatment using implants made from the highest-quality Nobel Biocare materials for a smile that you can show the world. If you live a long way away from the city, our accredited partners can bring the same standard of care to your hometown. You only have to travel for your pre-surgery consultation and on the day of your surgery.
To find out more about the All-on-4® treatment and arrange a personal consultation, contact the Next Smile Australia team.