All on four is a wonderful and effective treatment option, but it might not be ideal for everyone. There are cases in which it is best to save the natural teeth rather than extracting and replacing them; let’s discuss why all on 4 is not always our first treatment option.
Table of Contents
What is All on Four?
All on 4 is a type of restorative dental treatment that allows patients to completely replace an entire arch of teeth with one treatment application.
Traditionally, the alternative option for full-arch dental restorations was to pursue dentures. While traditional dentures may work just fine for some people, others may find that they are uncomfortable, loose, difficult to eat with, or just generally hard to adjust to. Many people find that their dentures are too loose to wear without the use of denture adhesive, which unfortunately tends to come with a set of issues of its own.
Denture adhesive can be messy and inconvenient to apply, and may not always keep the dentures firmly in place – especially when eating. No one wants to face the embarrassment of losing their teeth in public, or the inconvenience of having to constantly reapply messy adhesive material throughout the day.
Thankfully, all on 4 treatment provides an intelligent and effective solution to these issues; first, dental implants are placed directly in the patient’s jawbone, and an entire arch of prosthetic teeth then snaps securely and permanently in place over the top of the implants. The end result is a beautiful and functional smile that is restored in one fell swoop. There is then no need for denture adhesive, and the patient can enjoy their “new” teeth just as they would their natural teeth.
Some benefits of all on 4 treatment include:
- Permanent dental restoration
- The patient has the ability to fully customize the look of their teeth
- Improved ability to chew and speak
- Replace an entire arch of teeth with one treatment
- Retain bone density in the jaw
- Minimal dietary restrictions
- Improved self-esteem and confidence for the patient
- Strong natural bite
- Improved overall oral health
Everyone benefits from treatment differently. To determine how you can expect to benefit from all-on-4 treatment, it is best to have a consultation with your dentist.
Why All on 4 is Not Always The First Treatment Option
While all on 4 is an incredible and popular restorative treatment option, there are instances in which your dental professional may recommend pursuing other types of treatment instead.
When considering the wide range of benefits that come along with all-on-4 treatment, you may be confused as to why your dentist does not recommend it for you. The truth is that while all on four is effective, it is considered to be a “last resort” treatment option that is reserved for patients with terminal dentition.
Terminal dentition is a term used when the teeth inside the mouth are in such poor health that they can no longer be effectively restored. In cases such as this, the dental professional will recommend that any teeth left remaining inside the mouth be completely removed and replaced to effectively restore both the looks and function of the teeth. All-on-four is one of the best options for replacing a complete arch of teeth.
If your teeth are still strong and healthy enough to be restored, you may not be an ideal candidate for all-on-four treatment. Modern dentistry places a strong emphasis on preserving natural teeth whenever possible; your dentist will never recommend removing healthy or salvageable teeth as long as it can be helped.
By preserving your natural teeth, you simultaneously protect and maintain the health and structure of your jaw bone and mouth as a whole. Once natural teeth are removed from the mouth, the bone that once held them in place begins to recede. Over time, this has the potential to lead to a myriad of issues such as loose teeth, complete tooth loss, and difficulty chewing and speaking. It is always better to preserve the natural strength and structure of your mouth.
If your dentist has told you that they would prefer not to carry out all-on-four treatment and want to pursue other types of treatment instead, this is actually a good sign! This means that your natural teeth are strong and healthy enough to be restored and complemented with another form of treatment.
Alternate Treatment Options
If you are not at the terminal dentition stage and do not qualify as an ideal candidate for all-on-four treatment, this is excellent news! While all on 4 treatment may seem like an excellent route to take, there are plenty of alternate options that you may use to effectively restore your smile.
Below are some alternative treatment options that your dentist may recommend instead of pursuing all-on-four treatment:
- Implant Bridges: Implants are placed inside the jaw bone. Multi-unit dental bridges are placed inside the patient’s mouth to fill the spaces in the mouth left by missing natural teeth. This option is ideal, as the implants help preserve the jaw bone where teeth have been lost, and the smile is restored with the help of just a few bridges.
- Single-Unit Dental Implants: As the name suggests, single-unit dental implants consist of one single implant crown being placed over a dental implant that has been placed inside the patient’s jaw bone. This treatment option is ideal for patients who have not lost a large number of natural teeth, as placing individual implants throughout the mouth to restore an entire arch of teeth can be costly and time-consuming for the patient. If, however, there are just a few natural teeth missing inside the mouth, this treatment option may be quite sufficient for successfully restoring the looks and functionality of the smile.
- Dental Bridges: This treatment method is similar to implant bridges – with the exception of the placement of dental implants. Regular dental bridges are simply placed inside the mouth over the natural teeth to fill the space left behind by a missing tooth. This method is effective in restoring the smile, though it is important to keep in mind that since dental implants are not placed in the jaw bone, there is a possibility of bone loss where the natural teeth have been lost.
- Root Canal and Crown: Rather than extracting a damaged or decayed tooth, your dentist will likely recommend restoring it with a root canal and dental crown whenever possible. During this course of treatment, the central nerve of the tooth will be removed – along with any decayed tooth matter. The central canal of the tooth will be filled and sealed, and the rest of the tooth will be built back up with a large filling. A dental crown will then be placed over the tooth to provide aesthetic restoration and protection against further damage or decay.
- Smile Makeover: If your teeth are in need of both cosmetic and restorative dental work, you may benefit from a smile makeover, which makes use of multiple different types of treatment to restore both the looks and functionality of the patient’s natural teeth. A smile makeover may include dental fillings, implants, crowns, teeth whitening, and more.
Your trusted dentist will be able to help you identify the treatment method that works best for you. The best route for finding your ideal treatment is to schedule a comprehensive examination and consultation. Contact us to learn more.
All on 4 Treatment in Sydney
In the case that you do qualify as an ideal candidate for all-on-four treatment, it is important to ensure that you are trusting your smile to the very best in the dental industry to get the best results.
For the best all on 4 treatment in the Double Bay area, place your trust in FY Smile’s team of experienced dental professionals. Dr. Fadi Yassmin has worked with some of the world’s top all-on-4 providers to develop an industry-leading approach to treatment for all of our patients.
Below are some of the most notable reasons to choose FY Smile for your all-on-4 treatment:
- FY Smile is an official New South Wales All on 4 Clinic. In order to achieve this title, we regularly test to meet and surpass clinical requirements and prove our experience and skill. To put it simply, we are among the best in the business, and we have the certification to prove it.
- We offer complete permanent treatment completion in just 48 hours, completely eliminating the need for temporary bridges and a lengthy waiting period.
- We have a state-of-the-art anaesthetic theatre that is specially built specifically for this type of treatment.
- Our team of dental professionals places your experience, results, and health above all else. You are truly our main priority!
For more information about pursuing top-tier all-on-4 treatment in Sydney, feel free to contact us and schedule your initial consultation.
FY Smile: Best All on 4 dental clinic in Sydney
With the information you have learned in this dental blog, you should have a better understanding of why all-on-4 is not always recommended as the first option for treatment. To learn more about what types of restorative dental treatment may be best for you, contact us to schedule a consultation.
Here at FY Smile, we strive to provide our patients with an unparalleled level of dental care; that is why we are proud to offer comprehensive dental and orthodontic treatment in beautiful Sydney.
Whether you are interested in dental veneers, Invisalign, traditional braces, a complete smile makeover, or a routine dental cleaning, you are in good hands. Our team of caring dental professionals is here to provide the treatment you need to create the beautiful and healthy smile that you have always dreamt of.
Your journey towards optimal dental health begins here. In addition to offering braces and Invisalign in Sydney, FY Smile is proud to offer a wide range of dental services. From basic tooth fillings to dental implants to deep cleanings and more, we’ve got you covered.
For more information about all-on-four treatment in Sydney or to get scheduled in our Double Bay dental clinic, feel free to give us a call anytime at 02 8319 5557.
Does your busy schedule make phone calls a bit tricky? No worries; our digital Contact Form can be filled out in just seconds.
