Teeth play a massive role in oral health and overall well-being. They are an essential part of the digestive system, helping with biting, chewing, and grinding up food before it is swallowed.
Even a single missing tooth can disrupt this process, reducing the functionality of the mouth and chewing, which in turn can compromise nutrition. In severe cases, this can eventually result in increased risk for diseases and mental illness and exacerbate pre-existing health problems.
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, adult tooth loss is relatively common in Australia. Survey data reveals that for those aged 65 and over, around 19.1% had experienced edentulism—a condition that refers to a person having lost all of their natural teeth.
Fortunately, restorative dentistry has come a long way over the past few decades, with various treatment options now available for full-mouth restoration. These methods include the All-on-4® treatment and alternatives like dentures and overdentures.
Understanding the different treatment options available is crucial if you're considering full-mouth restoration. This article will cover the long-term value and maintenance of the All-on-4® treatment compared to traditional restoration methods so you can be better informed when deciding what’s right for you.
The Maintenance of Full-Mouth Restoration
One of the key differences between the different types of full-mouth restoration options is the maintenance. Below, we’ve outlined the most common treatments available and their care requirements.
Dentures
Dentures are one of the oldest forms of full-mouth restoration, with the concept dating back thousands of years. Dentures are removable oral prostheses that can replace a full arch of teeth on the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both.
When dentures are designed for someone living with edentulism, this is known as full dentures or complete dentures. They replace an entire arch of teeth and rest atop the gums. Dentures rely on the palate, the roof of your mouth, and/or the lower jawbone ridge for support.
Below is a list of the general daily care steps someone living with dentures would take.
- Taking out and rinsing the dentures after eating to prevent bacteria build-up and get rid of food debris.
- Twice daily, in the morning and before going to bed at night, brush the dentures using a soft-bristled toothbrush and denture cleaner.
- Most dentures also need to stay moist to keep their shape. So, every night, the dentures should be placed in a denture-soaking solution. This will keep it clean and moist.
As with other forms of full-mouth restoration, it is also important to attend regularly scheduled dental check-ups.
A combination (crowns, implants, veneers)
In some cases, where a person has lost and damaged some or most of their teeth, a combination of treatments may be used to restore full-mouth functionality. These may include traditional implants, veneers, and crowns.
While the maintenance required will depend on the exact treatments used, the upkeep for traditional implants, veneers, and crowns is quite similar. The basics for all three treatments include:
- Staying on top of your oral healthcare routine. This includes brushing twice daily, flossing regularly, and using mouthwash to help kill bacteria.
- Avoid any hard and sticky foods.They can damage the treatment material and, in the case of traditional implants, increase the risk of failure.
- Always use a soft-bristled toothbrush and stick with fluoride toothpaste.A hard-bristled toothbrush can damage traditional implants, veneers, and crowns.
- Stay on top of regular visits to the dentist. Dentists are essential for preventative care and can help identify any potential issues early.
Overdentures
Overdentures are a traditional form of full-mouth restoration that blends together dentures with implants. They are for patients who have lost some or all of their teeth. They can either be supported by traditional implants or the patient’s remaining teeth.
The maintenance required for overdentures is similar to that of traditional dentures. Brush your overdentures every day, as well as softly brush your gums. It is important to use special denture cleaners with a low-abrasive formula because dentures are typically 10 times softer than natural teeth.
Overdentures need to be removed every night to soak in a denture-soaking solution or tablet. This helps keep it clean and kill any bacteria. The big difference between overdentures and dentures is that extra care needs to be paid to the gums if it’s supported by traditional implants.
Just like all oral hygiene, regular cleaning and mouthwash are important. This will help eliminate all the bacteria in the mouth and keep the implants supporting the overdentures healthy.
All-on-4®
Like the other full-mouth restoration options, caring for teeth following the All-on-4®treatment process requires diligent home oral care and sticking to the scheduled professional check-ups. However, there is a key difference between All-on-4® and other methods.
All-on-4® teeth, compared to traditional implants, dentures, and overdentures, are the most similar to natural teeth. You won’t have to take out your prostheses every time to clean them. Instead, you would care for All-on-4® teeth like your original set of natural ones.
General maintenance for All-on-4® teeth would include:
- Regularly brushing your teeth and gums twice daily using a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Flossing daily with specifically designed implant floss, such as Xfloss, and a water flosser to remove any plaque and food debris.
- Invest in mouthwash and rinse your mouth twice daily. This can help eliminate bad bacteria in the mouth and protect the All-on-4® implants.
- Attend six monthly hygiene appointments with your All-on-4®provider.
When it comes to good oral hygiene, a lot of it is habit and muscle memory. Because All-on-4® maintenance is similar to natural teeth, it’s easier to have previous good oral habits carry over.
The Longevity of Full-Mouth Restorations
Another key factor to consider when deciding between All-on-4® treatment and traditional forms of full-mouth restorations is longevity. We’ve outlined the average lifespan of the methods below, supported by data and research.
Dentures
Research shows that most complete dentures last for at least 5 years, with most lasting an average of 10.06 years. The longevity of dentures will depend on a few factors, including the denture material, lifestyle habits, and oral hygiene habits.
Dentures can be made from a range of materials. The most common are acrylic resin (plastic), porcelain, or partial metal. With partial metal dentures, only the frame is made from metal. Acrylic resin or porcelain is still used for the teeth.
A combination (crowns, implants, veneers)
The longevity of a combination of traditional dental restoration treatments to restore mouth functionality will depend on the method. For example, traditional implants, crowns, and veneers all have different lifespans.
With the proper care, traditional implants, crowns, and veneers can last many years. The main influencing factor is the material used. Below, we’ve outlined the most common materials for each treatment and their average lifespan.
- Traditional implants: Traditional dental implants are intended to be long-lasting because they interface directly with the jawbone through osseointegration. Most traditional implants can last up to 25 years with the right care.
- Crowns:Healthline reports that the lifespan of a crown depends heavily on the material used. Porcelain-fused-to-metal and lithium disilicate crowns are expected to last from five to fifteen years. Crowns made from zirconia can last even longer than fifteen years with the right care.
- Veneers:According to the American Dental Association, veneers last about ten years if properly cared for. They are most commonly made from porcelain or composite resin.
Overdentures
While normal dentures only last 5 to 10 years, overdentures are designed to last much longer. Overdentures and their implants can last up to 20 years if the proper care routines are followed, including keeping the jawbone healthy and stimulated and regular dental checkups to ensure the overdentures have no fractures and the locators used to stabilise the denture on the implant have not worn away.
All-on-4®
The All-on-4® treatment is designed to be a long-lasting solution for those seeking full-mouth restoration. The treatment is designed to last 20 years or longer, provided the patient follows the proper care and maintenance. This is also supported by meta-analysis studies into long-term dental implant survival rates. They found that over a 20-year period, 80% of the dental implants had survived.
Researchers have also found the All-on-4® treatment concept has a high success rate. A study tracking the progress of individuals with All-on-4® implants for more than 24 months reported the treatment had a survival rate of 99.8%.
Tips For Increasing The Longevity of Your All-on-4® Teeth
Like natural teeth, All-on-4® requires consistent care if you want them to last as long as possible. This includes diligent oral hygiene, attending regular dental check-ups and professional cleaning.
If you’re considering All-on-4® treatment and you want to plan how to get the most out of the new set of teeth, we’ve compiled a list of tips below.
Good oral hygiene habits
Staying on top of your oral hygiene is critical for increasing the longevity of your All-on-4® teeth. Regularly brush your teeth at least twice daily with a soft toothbrush and X-floss after every meal.
Invest in a water flosser
Research shows that water flossers, also known as oral irrigators, are more effective than other types of flossers. They’re better at removing plaque and food debris, especially in hard-to-reach areas.
Healthy lifestyle habits
Lifestyle habits play a massive role in the success and outcome of the All-on-4® treatment. Like with natural teeth, lifestyle habits like smoking and alcohol can negatively impact All-on-4® dental implants and teeth longevity.
Diet and nutrition
What you eat plays a massive role in your gum health and overall well-being. A poor diet can increase disease risk factors, like diabetes, affecting oral health. A well-balanced and nutritious diet, avoiding any hard and sticky foods, is crucial if you’re looking to increase the longevity of your All-on-4® teeth.
Book A Consultation at Next Smile Australia
If you’re considering All-on-4® treatment, start the first step today by finding out if you’re suitable with Next Smile Australia. You can take our online suitability assessment or book a consultation with one of our All-on-4® dental surgeons to discuss suitability and how it compares to traditional implants.
When you book a consultation with one of our All-on-4® dental surgeons, they will determine the suitability based on various factors. These include your medical and dental history and the state of your oral health.
During this consultation, the All-on-4® dental surgeon will also take scans of your jaw to assess your bone density. This information is then used, along with information regarding your treatment expectations, to determine if All-on-4® is right for you or if traditional dental restoration methods would be more suitable.
If you’d like to learn more about the All-on-4® treatment concept before a consultation, we host regular webinars on the topic. There is also information and a commonly asked question section on our website that breaks down the treatment in detail.
If you have any questions regarding the All-on-4® treatment or you’re looking to book a consultation, contact us today. The Next Smile Australia team would be delighted to help you start the journey to renew your smile.