Oral health greatly impacts overall well-being and is directly linked with physical and mental health. Research shows that the state of our teeth, gums, tongue, and the foods we eat can impact our mood and increase the risk of diseases like diabetes.
Even losing just one tooth can have lifelong impacts on an individual’s oral health. Having multiple missing teeth can impact the ability to eat, affecting nutrition and changing how one feels about one's appearance, which can result in self-esteem and confidence issues.
Missing teeth can be like a domino effect, leading to a range of different problems. In the long term, missing teeth can impact remaining teeth, jaw, and gum tissue. Fortunately, missing teeth don’t have to be the end because restorative dental treatments exist. Two methods of restorative dentistry include overdentures and the All-on-4® treatment. In this article, we’ll be covering All-on-4® vs overdenture, what they are, and how the procedures differ.
What Are Overdentures?
Traditional full dentures replace all upper or lower teeth, while partial dentures can be used to replace just a few missing teeth. These dentures are removable and placed on the gums using strips or paste. They are a long lasting option; however, after sometime the jawbone shrinks further which can make traditional dentures less stable causing them to move while eating or speaking and can cause ulcers from the denture rubbing on the gums.
Overdentures are a form of dentures that are secured using implants. The implants act as anchors, which the overdentures can clip onto and hold on to them securely throughout the day.
Overdentures allow for greater bite force, which helps to chew. Unlike traditional dentures, overdentures provide more control and stability, especially while eating and talking. Because they are more stable, the individual can usually enjoy harder foods more easily than with traditional dentures.
What is All-on-4®?
The All-on-4® treatment concept was created by Professor Paulo Malo alongside leading implant manufacturer Nobel Biocare. It’s a revolutionary dental restoration solution that is a long-term solution.
All-on-4® is a treatment concept designed for people who have lost all or most of their teeth. Four titanium dental implants are surgically placed into the upper or lower jawbone to secure a bridge of artificial teeth. It differs from an overdenture because the patient cannot remove the prosthesis (teeth).
What’s also unique to the All-on-4® treatment is the dental implant placement. The front two implants are placed straight, while the implants in the back of the jaw are placed at a 45-degree angle, allowing for more support and spread of the teeth. It also allows the dental surgeon to avoid important anatomical structures like nerves and sinuses.
This also allows the All-on-4® treatment to be used even in jaws with poor or thin bone.
The All-on-4® treatment also uses specialised, multi-unit abutments that connect the implants to the bridge and keep it secured. This is also what allows for a set of new, artificial teeth to be connected so soon after surgery.
How Do The Procedures Differ?
The All-on-4® treatment and the procedure for overdentures are quite distinct. They are two different approaches to replacing multiple missing teeth, each with its own application and advantages.
First, overdentures are removable prosthetics, while All-on-4® teeth are fixed. Because of this, overdentures can be removed and cleaned daily, but they aren’t as stable or reliable as All-on-4® teeth.
Because All-on-4® teeth are fixed, they provide an improved bite force over overdentures and function more like natural teeth. With the back two All-on-4® implants on an angle, this eliminates the need in most cases for bone grafting, which is much more common with other types of traditional implants.
Overdentures need to be removed and cleaned daily, as well as regularly cleaned and massaged to the gum area where they attach. It’s also recommended that they be removed while sleeping at night.
In comparison, All-on-4® teeth maintenance is similar to natural teeth. You need to keep up with brushing and flossing, ensuring you visit your dentist every 6 months for regular check-ups.
The All-on-4® procedure is typically more expensive than overdentures because it is fixed and typically a more complex surgical procedure. If you need help deciding between the All-on-4® treatment or overdentures, we recommend speaking to your dentist, oral health professional or one of our Next Smile Dental Surgeons.
Which Procedure Is Best Suited For You?
Choosing between the All-on-4® treatment or overdentures will depend on a few factors, including personal preference, oral health, lifestyle, and budget. Below, we’ve outlined a few considerations you should make when deciding.
All-on-4® treatment
All-on-4® implants are best suited for people who are seeking a long-term, fixed solution for missing teeth. The overall recovery time for All-on-4® is also quicker than that of traditional single implants, and you can usually be fitted with new teeth on the same day of surgery or soon after.
They are also ideal if you want teeth that function naturally and value stability. All-on-4® teeth allow for greater chewing capacity than removable dentures, and you don’t have to remove them daily for cleaning as you would overdentures.
Overdentures
Overdentures are best suited for people who prefer a removable prosthetic and/or are looking for a more affordable solution. While they don’t look and function as much like normal teeth, they can be easier to clean as they are removable.
Unlike All-on-4®, dental implants for overdentures are placed and buried for healing. In the meantime, the patient wears a temporary removable denture. Six months later, another small surgical procedure is undertaken to expose the implant heads. The overdenture is fitted with locators or a bar that attaches to the dental implants.
They are a great alternative to fully removable traditional dentures. In some cases, we can even turn existing full dentures into overdentures.
What is best for you?
It’s also important to speak to your dentist or oral health professional about eligibility for the procedures. The criteria for suitability are different for the All-on-4® treatment and overdentures.
You recommend booking a consultation to determine eligibility. During a consultation, you can expect to speak to a dentist or dental surgeon, and they’ll ask you questions regarding your previous oral health history to determine suitability.
During this process, the dentist or dental surgeon may also take photos of your mouth and scans or X-rays of your jaw. This will help them determine whether your jaw can support the dental implants. It’s possible that one treatment may be more suitable than the other, regardless of preference.
Find Out If You’re A Candidate at Next Smile Australia
At Next Smile Australia, we provide no-obligation consults for the All-on-4® treatment. If you’re interested in learning more about the All-on-4® treatment procedure and eligibility, contact us today to book an appointment with one of our All-on-4®-certified dental surgeons.
During a consultation, you can expect an All-on-4® dental surgeon to assess your candidacy for the treatment based on your dental and medical history. The process to determine eligibility will also include scanning your jaw and ensuring it can support the All-on-4® dental implants.
If you are eligible for the All-on-4® treatment, we will tailor a treatment plan that suits your goals. In addition to developing a treatment plan, we will provide you with information on treatment timelines and pricing options. We believe everyone should have access to quality dental care, so we have several payment options and plans available.
Next Smile Australia performs All-on-4® treatments in our Super Clinics. These Super Clinics have in-house dental labs (where the teeth are made), and most also have state-of-the-art surgical rooms. We also follow the renowned Malo Protocol two-bridge system.
If you want to book an obligation-free consult or have any questions about how the All-on-4® treatment compares to overdentures, contact us today.