Oral health plays a massive role in overall well-being, from physical health to mental health. Missing teeth can greatly impact someone’s mental well-being and is more than just a cosmetic problem.
Even just one missing tooth can affect an individual’s ability to properly eat and enjoy food. It can also impact an individual’s appearance, which can lead to problems with self-esteem and confidence. Eventually, a missing tooth will impact the surrounding teeth, too. This can cause in the long term, leading to overall health issues.
Fortunately, All-on-4® treatment can help restore your smile and functionality to those missing teeth. All-on-4® is a restorative dental treatment designed to be a long-lasting, durable solution to missing teeth and an alternative to dentures.
What Does An All-on-4® Consultation Involve?
All-on-4® treatment starts with a consultation with an All-on-4® experienced dentist. During this consultation, the dentist will determine if you’re a suitable candidate for the All-on-4® restorative dental treatment.
Candidates for All-on-4® treatment from Next Smile Australia may include:
- People who have lost multiple or all their teeth due to injury
- People who have lost multiple or all their teeth due to tooth decay
- People with advanced gum disease
- People who cannot have their teeth restored by other means or don’t see significant benefits in doing so.
- People who are living with ill-fitting dentures.
The above is just a general criterion for All-on-4® candidacy. Candidacy is determined on an individual basis at Next Smile Australia. The best way to find out if you’re a candidate is to speak to a dentist at Next Smile Australia Super Clinic.
During a consultation, an individual can expect to be asked questions regarding their dental and medical history and personal treatment goals. In the consultation, the All-on-4® surgery procedures will also be explained, including preparation steps, necessary lifestyle and diet changes, recovery timelines, and pricing information.
In the consultation, the dentist will also take scans of your jawbone, as well as digital impressions and photographic imaging. This aids the dentist in getting a complete picture of your teeth, gums, and jaw for All-on-4® treatment.
Diet & Lifestyle Changes To Make Before All-on-4® Surgery
Before All-on-4® surgery, it’s important to modify your diet and make lifestyle changes to ensure the procedure goes smoothly. Following the dietary guidelines set forth by your dentist is crucial.
Although the guidelines will depend on the individual, general diet and lifestyle tips to make before the surgery include:
- Staying hydrated is key for All-on-4® surgery, as well as for the post-surgery healing process. Water is important for the body’s recovery process.
- Avoid drinking any alcohol for a week or more leading up to the surgery. Alcohol is a blood thinner, so it can cause complications during surgery and recovery. It can also interact with the anaesthetic used and medications.
- Along with restricting alcohol intake, it’s also important to avoid vaping, smoking, and any recreational drug use. These can also cause complications during surgery and impact the recovery process.
- Maintain good oral hygiene. Not only is it important for the surgery, but also for your overall oral health. It’s critical to stay on top of regular flossing and brushing.
If you take any prescription medication, you should speak to your doctor and dentist about whether it’s okay to keep taking them leading up to surgery.
Preparing Yourself & Home For All-on-4® Post-Surgery
Next Smile Australia makes the process of receiving All-on-4® dental implants as comfortable and seamless as possible; however, there are measures you can take to ensure the treatment and recovery go smoothly.
Along with preparing yourself and taking the recommended diet and lifestyle changes, you can also prepare your home beforehand to make recovery and aftercare easier. These steps include:
- Although the recovery time is shorter for All-on-4®, you’ll unlikely be able to eat solid food for at least a few days. Before surgery, stockpile soft foods for recovery. These can include eggs, soups, yoghurt, and porridge.
- As well as avoiding smoking, vaping, drinking, and recreational drugs at least one week before surgery, it’s important to avoid these after surgery, too. Smoking, vaping, drinking, and drugs can slow healing and prevent osseointegration, causing implant failure.
- Rest is crucial during healing time for any surgery or procedure, including All-on-4®. So, before surgery, set up a comfortable space for recovery. Plan out books or a show to watch after surgery, and book time off work.
- Preparation is key to post-surgery recovery. Ensure your recovery space has all the essentials you need and is easy to reach. This includes water, medication for pain management, and your mobile phone.
- If possible, arrange to have a friend or family member stay with you during recovery. They can help prepare food and administer medication.
Before All-on-4® surgery, it’s important to enlist and organise a friend or family member to take you to and from the surgery.
Setting Realistic Expectations For All-on-4® Recovery
When it comes to recovering from All-on-4® treatment, it’s important to set realistic expectations. Although it can help to read other people’s experiences with the treatment and timelines, recovery will vary from patient to patient.
After All-on-4® surgery, you may experience swelling, bruising, and pain. During the first 48 hours after surgery, it is recommended to use ice packs to reduce the effects of swelling and to elevate your head while sleeping.
Bruising during recovery can last anywhere from a few days to 2-3 weeks post-surgery. Pain is usually most noticeable during the first 48 hours. It’s also important to go to the scheduled follow-up appointments with your dentist to ensure recovery is going smoothly and the All-on-4® dental implants are going through osseointegration correctly.
Start Your Journey With A Consultation at Next Smile Australia
If you’re considering the All-on-4® treatment, start your journey today with a consultation from Next Smile Australia. Contact us today to book an appointment. If you have any questions regarding eligibility, along with booking a consultation, we also have an online suitability test.
The Next Smile Australia All-on-4® treatment uses the Malo Protocol. When you undergo the treatment at a Next Smile Australia Super Clinic, you get a set of new, provisional teeth within 24 hours of your dental implant surgery or sooner.
At Next Smile Australia, the teeth are all designed in our in-house laboratories and made to look like natural teeth. Not only do they look natural, but they are also designed to feel natural. The All-on-4® teeth are also specifically designed and tailored to the individual.
If you’d like to learn more about the All-on-4® treatment, contact Next Smile Australia. If you have any queries regarding the All-on-4® treatment timeline or aftercare resources, the Next Smile Australia team would be happy to help.