When you lose your teeth, it becomes more than just a cosmetic issue. Losing teeth can significantly impact a person’s ability to chew and digest food properly. This can result in difficulties eating and lead to a decline in health and nutrition.
Thankfully, modern dental procedures can restore functionality to the mouth through restorative treatment. For patients seeking full-arch restoration, the All-on-4® treatment is becoming a popular choice.
In this guide, we’ll be covering everything you need to know about the All-on-4® treatment and answering questions regarding chewing food with All-on-4® teeth, foods to eat with All-on-4® teeth, and what is All-on-4®.
So, if you’re interested in All-on-4® treatment, how it differs from traditional dentures, and how it can bring your bite back, our comprehensive guide will cover everything you need to know about the chewing benefits of All-on-4® teeth.
All-on-4® Explained
All-on-4® is a revolutionary treatment option that offers complete tooth replacement for people who have lost all or most of their natural teeth. It differs from traditional implants in that it only requires four titanium dental implants to support a full arch of teeth rather than a titanium implant for each individual tooth.
The All-on-4® procedure involves placing four titanium implants into the jawbone to support a full arch of teeth. It uses revolutionary technology to scan the patient’s jaw, calculate bone density, and place the dental implants for optimal strength and support.
Because the posterior dental implants are placed on an angle, bone grafting—a common requirement of traditional implants—is not needed. This can also reduce the time it takes for recovery and increase the procedure's accessibility.
All-on-4® dental implants consist of three components. The titanium post, abutments, and the dental prosthetic.
- The titanium post, made from a biocompatible material, is the foundation of the All-on-4® procedure. It supports the abutment and dental prosthetic.
- The abutments essentially function as connectors that allow the dental prosthetic to be attached to the post. They are critical for securing the prosthetic.
- The dental prosthetic is the full arch of custom-made, high-quality prosthetic teeth. These connect to the four titanium posts via the abutment. They are made to resemble natural teeth and are tailor-made for the patient’s mouth.
The All-on-4® concept was developed by Dr Paulo Malo in collaboration with Nobel Biocare, a company that specialises in dental implants and restorative dentistry. Professor Malo first developed the technique in the early 1990s, and the first successful All-on-4® procedure was in 1998.
The Advantages of Chewing With All-on-4®
When it comes to chewing and bringing your bite back, the All-on-4® treatment concept features a range of benefits. All-on-4® treatment has been shown to improve a person’s ability to bite and chew effectively, as it brings back functionality through full-arch restoration.
After recovery, All-on-4® teeth can eat almost any type of food, including solid foods that could have been challenging or near-impossible to eat if you had missing teeth. All-on-4® teeth also make it easier to chew food, making digestion easier.
The chewing and digestion process is crucial for absorbing nutrients. Breaking down food into smaller particles with All-on-4® teeth makes it easier for the body to absorb greater amounts of nutrients, like vitamins and minerals, from the food you eat.
The All-on-4® treatment is also designed with comfort in mind when chewing and eating. Compared to traditional dentures, the All-on-4® treatment provides more stability when chewing because it is anchored to the jawbone.
Chewing With All-on-4® Compared To Traditional Dentures
Chewing with All-on-4® teeth offers several benefits compared to traditional dentures. These include increased stability and comfort, better chewing efficiency, dietary freedom, and bone preservation. Below, we’ve delved deeper into each advantage.
Chewing Efficiency
Studies have found that the All-on-4® treatment concept can restore up to 90% of a person’s natural bite. Patients who opt for All-on-4® teeth over traditional implants or dentures can chew food into smaller pieces and comfortably eat harder and chewier foods, like steak.
Stability & Comfort
All-on-4® teeth are fixed to the jawbone and provide a similar foundation to natural teeth. It allows you to have a more natural chewing action when eating since it is properly anchored.
Not only does this increase comfort, but it also improves bite efficiency. Compared to traditional dentures, which are placed on the gums and aren’t fixed into the jawbone, it is much comfier and more natural to eat with All-on-4® teeth.
Bone Preservation
Unlike traditional dentures, All-on-4® teeth provide bone stimulation as it is placed in the jaw. This bone stimulation is similar to natural teeth, and the process is crucial for remaining bone density, facial structure, and overall long-term oral health.
Because traditional dentures aren’t fixed into the jawbone, they don’t provide the same sort of stimulation as All-on-4® teeth do. This stimulation is crucial and can result in bone loss without it, which can lead to jawbone atrophy and facial sagging.
Dietary Restrictions
Patients who opt for All-on-4® teeth generally experience fewer dietary restrictions compared to those who receive traditional dentures. Even foods that require significant chewing, like raw fruits and chewy meats, may be possible with All-on-4® teeth.
People with traditional dentures usually have to modify their diet and lifestyle. They must avoid hard, sticky, or chewy foods, as these may damage the dentures or dislodge them while chewing.
Find Out If You’re Suitable For All-on-4® at Next Smile Australia
If you’re missing all or most of your teeth and believe All-on-4® may be the right treatment for you compared to traditional dentures, contact Next Smile Australia today. We can organise a personal consultation to determine eligibility.
Our industry-leading Super Clinics also include in-house dental labs, and most also have state-of-the-art surgical rooms. When you choose Next Smile Australia, you get a team that covers every facet of the All-on-4® treatment.
During a consultation, one of our All-on-4® dentists will assess your eligibility and tailor a treatment plan based on your dental and medical history. We will also provide information on treatment timelines and patient resources, including aftercare, so you know what to expect.
Next Smile Australia believes everyone should be able to access quality dental care and restorative treatment. We understand the importance of having a full set of teeth and oral health. That’s why we also offer a range of dental payment plans for our services.
Our team carries out our All-on-4® treatments at our industry-leading Next Smile Australia Super Clinics, using dental implants made by Nobel Biocare. If you’re interested in All-on-4® treatment, you can contact us and book a consultation today. You can also register for one of our online webinars for more information.