The history of restorative dentistry goes back further than most people think. It can be traced back to ancient times, when the Ancient Egyptians, Babylonians, and Assyrians practised gold crowns. Of course, dentistry has evolved so much over the past few thousand years.
The point in history that was revolutionary for dental implants dates back to the Swedish physician and researcher Per-Ingvar Brånemark. He is dubbed the father of modern implant dentistry for his research and discovery of osseointegration.
The process of osseointegration has become the foundation for the science behind all dental implants, including the All-on-4® treatment concept. Professor Paulo Malo created the All-on-4® treatment alongside leading dental implant manufacturer Nobel Biocare.
Together, they built on Per-Ingvar Brånemark’s work and devised the All-on-4® concept, in which four implants are placed in the upper or lower jawbone, supporting an entire arch of teeth. In this article, we’ll be delving into the science behind the All-on-4® treatment and its suitability compared to individual dental implants.
What Is All-on-4®?
The All-on-4® treatment is a dental implant procedure considered revolutionary in restorative dentistry. It can replace an entire set of teeth in either the upper or lower jaw using just four strategically placed dental implants.
The All-on-4® procedure is also sometimes known as the same-day smile. This is because a new set of artificial teeth can be attached within 24 hours of the implants being inserted into the jaw.
The All-on-4® treatment is commonly used for people who have lost most or all of their teeth or are looking for a denture alternative. It provides a long-lasting and natural-looking solution. It’s also fixed, making it a great alternative to other traditional dental implant methods, including overdentures.
The process of getting All-on-4®
The All-on-4® treatment usually consists of a four-step process. This includes the consultation, surgery, healing period, and final restoration. We’ve outlined the process in more detail below.
Consultation: During a consultation, you’ll meet with a dental surgeon to discuss eligibility for All-on-4® and treatment goals. Generally, to determine suitability, they’ll review previous medical and oral health records. X-rays and jaw scans are also done to check suitability and bone quality.
Surgery: If an individual is deemed eligible, they can undergo surgery for All-on-4® dental implants. During this surgery, any remaining teeth (if any) are removed, and the titanium implants are placed in the jaw. A temporary prosthesis (bridge of teeth) is also attached.
Recovery period: Over a few months, the recovery process occurs. The titanium implants should fuse with the jaw in a process known as osseointegration.
Complete restoration: Once the implants have fused with the jaw and the recovery process is complete, the temporary prosthesis is removed and replaced with a custom set of teeth that is tailor-made to the individual.
The Science Behind All-on-4®
If you want to further appreciate the revolutionary All-on-4® treatment, it’s important to understand the science behind it. The main science behind the All-on-4® treatment is the osseointegration process.
Osseointegration is a biological process in which an implant fixture, usually titanium or a metal-free ceramic, forms a direct bond with intervening soft tissue of bone. It is usually associated with dentistry and dental implants, but it can happen in other parts of the body.
The All-on-4® procedure uses osseointegration to fuse the implants to the jawbone. The angulation technique deployed in the All-on-4® posterior implants delivers the implant into the best bone available and also provides a wider spread for a bridge of 10 -12 teeth. It can be used even in patients with poor bone density or those who have experienced bone loss.
The material used for implants is also critical. Not all materials are biocompatible and can fuse with the jaw. Due to its biocompatible properties, titanium is the material of choice for dental implants.
The surface of an implant also plays a role in the success of osseointegration. Modern implants, including those made for the All-on-4® procedure, are made from titanium and feature a textured surface, which encourages bone cells to grow and fuse with it.
The importance of angulation
Placing the back titanium implants at a 45-degree angle is crucial in the All-on-4® process. Angling the posterior implants utilises the jaw’s bone structures more efficiently.
This is what allows the All-on-4® dental implants to be placed where there is good bone density, avoiding areas with poor or thin bone. This, in turn, avoids bone grafting, which is revolutionary compared to traditional implants, where bone grafting would be needed to increase bone density and volume.
The angled placement of the posterior dental implant is also important for avoiding anatomical structures. For example, in the upper jaw, the angled placement helps the dental implant avoid penetrating the sinus cavities.
The angled design distributes force more evenly, improving load distribution when eating across the All-on-4® teeth. It also enhances the overall stability and reduces the risk of failure.
The strategic angling also allows for the All-on-4® treatment to minimise the required dental implants.
Suitability Compared To Individual Dental Implants
All-on-4® dental implants differ from traditional, individual dental implants in many ways, including for suitability. The All-on-4® procedure is designed for people missing all or most of their teeth.
This is because the All-on-4® procedure is a full-arch restoration procedure, and is designed to replace an entire bridge of teeth. On the other hand, individual dental implants are suitable for people who are only missing one or a couple of teeth.
Individual dental implants can only support a single crown or a small bridge. The bone density required for suitability for All-on-4® implants is also different from that needed for individual dental implants.
Traditional dental implants are only suitable for people with adequate bone volume and density. In cases of severe bone loss, the individual would need to undergo bone grafting.
In comparison, All-on-4® is suitable even in individuals with reduced bone density or volume. The angled placement of the posterior implants utilises the bone more effectively.
If you’re interested in the All-on-4® treatment, we recommend speaking to your dentist or oral health professional about suitability. They can determine whether you're a candidate for All-on-4® or if traditional implants are a more suitable option.
Find Out If You’re Suitable for All-on-4® at Next Smile Australia
Find out if you’re suitable for the All-on-4® treatment today at Next Smile Australia by booking an obligation-free consultation with our team or through our online suitability test.
During the consultation, you’ll speak with one of our All-on-4®-certified dental surgeons, who will determine eligibility by assessing your previous medical and dental history and taking scans of your jaw. These scans will show whether your jaw can support the All-on-4® dental implants.
If you are suitable for the treatment, they will provide information regarding the All-on-4® procedure, treatment timelines, aftercare, and pricing. We offer various payment options and plans for our services because we believe quality dental care should be accessible to everyone.
At Next Smile Australia, we carry out the All-on-4® procedure in our Super Clinics. These Super Clinics feature in-house dental labs, and most have state-of-the-art surgical rooms. We also use dental implants created by the industry-leading Nobel Biocare and the Malo Protocol’s two-bridge system.
If you’re interested in the All-on-4® treatment or want to learn more about the procedure, contact us today or sign up for one of our webinars. The Next Smile Australia team would love to hear from you.