All on 4 Dental Implants Sydney
A system for supporting dentures
All on 4 dental implants refer to a procedure that can provide you with a full set of teeth supported by a total of 4 implants in each jaw.
If you’ve lost all your teeth, an upper and lower set of All-on-4 may be a good solution.
All on 4 dental implants are held permanently in place by 4 titanium screw implants in your jawbone. The dentures can often be fitted on the same day as the surgery, they look just like normal teeth and they’re securely positioned so they cannot be removed.
What are the advantages of All on 4 dental implants?
- They look good – high quality implant supported dentures look just like natural teeth
- They’re comfortable
- They’re functional because they’re firmly secured, making it easier to talk and eat an unrestricted diet.
- They help you retain a youthful appearance. Bones are similar to muscles; if you don’t stimulate them they shrink. When your jaw bones shrink, it can give you a shrunken, prematurely-aged appearance. Implant supported dentures help to prevent the loss of bone and jaw muscle.
Who is a good candidate for All on 4?
All-on-4 implants can be a great solution for a variety of problems including:
- Broken, damaged or decayed teeth – medications, gum disease, accidents and illness are some of the common reasons for reductions in teeth quality. All-on-4 can be a good, cost-beneficial remedy.
- Loose dentures – bone shrinkage can occur after tooth loss which can in turn cause loose fitting dentures, particularly on the lower jaw. Other issues such as difficulties with speech can mean that some people don’t cope too well with dentures.
- Missing multiple teeth – if you are missing multiple teeth, Allon4 may be a suitable treatment option.
What’s the difference between All-on-4 and other implant supported dentures?
All on 4 dental implants can often be used even if you wouldn’t normally be a suitable candidate for implant supported dentures. This is because of the special way the implants are placed at particular angles to avoid bone deficient areas and anatomical limitations.
Where is the surgery performed in Sydney?
Your surgery be done in a Sydney private hospital under general anaesthetic or in Dr van Mourik’s private rooms (located at his Lindfield clinic, 20 mins drive from Sydney) under IV sedation and/or local anaesthetic. For safety reasons Dr van Mourik always uses an anaesthetist who is a specially trained medical doctor to perform his general anaesthetic and intravenous sedation.
Your First Appointment
Before your All on 4 treatment
As is the case with all of our treatments, we will take the time to carefully plan your beautiful new smile to ensure it is stable and lasts long-term. We won’t leave any stone unturned and every aspect of your treatment will be carefully examined by Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon Dr Kristian van Mourik.
Dr van Mourik will talk to you about the different treatment options available and the advantages and disadvantages of each based on your specific situation. Dr van Mourik understands that it is his responsibility to ensure you are fully informed of all options so you can make an informed decision on which option you would like to take.
Dr van Mourik will talk to you about your medical history to assess your overall health, this will include medications taken and any pre-existing medical conditions.
How is the implant surgery performed?
You need to have a reasonable amount of bone for implant supported dentures, otherwise you may first need to have some bone grafts to strengthen your jaw bone.
How long does the full procedure take?
The procedure to place the 4 titanium screws in your gum takes 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the complexity of your surgery. Your gums are opened and the implant screws are inserted into your jaw bone. Usually, Dr van Mourik will place two straight dental implants at the front of your jaw, and two more implants at an angle in the back of the jaw.
Dr van Mourik will work closely with your referring dentist or a specialist restorative dentist to fit you with a denture 1 to 2 days after the implants are placed.
Will I be in pain after my surgery?
This is one of the most common questions we are asked so let us take a minute to provide some guidance on what can be expected after your all on 4 teeth implant.
General discomfort after treatment
General discomfort is common after your procedure. This is usually as a result of bruising and/or swelling (which is common after any surgery). However, pain can be significantly reduced via pain relief medication which will be prescribed to you by Dr van Mourik.
If you are anxious about dental treatments you aren’t alone and we can work with you to develop a strategy for reducing your anxiety. We’ve successfully helped many patients overcome dental treatment fears and are confident we can help you too.
Common Post-surgery Issues
Here we have listed some of the issues that can be experienced shortly after your surgery.
- Bleeding – any bleeding can usually be alleviated by applying ice packs to the outside of your mouth and avoid physical activity.
- Restricted Diet – we recommend everyone avoids hard or hot foods in the days following surgery. It can be beneficial to restrict your diet to liquids or pureed foods for the first few days.
- Dry Lips – If you experience dry lips, the application of Lip Balm or Chapstick can help keep them hydrated.
- Stiff Jaw – if you notice your jaw has become stiff because of it being held in the same position for a long time, perform some gentle jaw stretching exercises throughout the day.
- Bruising – this is common after any type of surgery and usually disappears after a few days.
- Nausea – some all on 4 patients may experience light nausea or vomiting from any medications being taken or from swallowing blood accidentally. Usually this is mild and can be alleviated with some carbonated water or savoury crackers.
Recovery after surgery
All-on-four Day surgery:
If you’ve general anaesthetic or intravenous sedation you will require someone to assist you get home. If done under local anaesthetic you can drive home yourself.
Pain management:
Pain is different for everyone but normal painkillers such as Nurofen® and Panadol® are usually all you’ll need. An icepack can help reduce any swelling or pain.
Work/School:
Most people return to work one day after their all on four implant teeth surgery, while a few have to take more than a day or two off.
Dental Stitches:
Dissolving stitches are used in most cases. They gradually dissolve over 1-2 weeks.
Diet:
Soft food diet for 1-2 days after teeth implant surgery. By 1 to 2 weeks after surgery you’ll most likely be eating and drinking normally.
Follow up:
Dr van Mourik will want to see you after your teeth implant surgery to monitor your healing.
Dr van Mourik will give you detailed post-operative instructions during your initial consultation. To maximise your chance of making a quick recovery without complications, please pay careful attention to these instructions. General information can be found on the Post-op and Patient Care page.
How much does All on 4 cost in Sydney?
Dr van Mourik will give you a written quote for the cost of your All-on-4 dental implant surgery at the initial consultation.
If performed under IV sedation or general anaesthetic, we’ll give you contact details for the anaesthetist so you can obtain their fee schedule. Medicare and private health insurance will cover part of the anaesthetist’s costs.
Medicare Reimbursement
Medicare will reimburse you for part of your initial consultation.
We’ll help you make applicable Medicare and private health insurance claims so that you’ll know how much of the cost will be covered.
Dr van Mourik is a highly experienced Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon. He explains things clearly and he’s a good listener, so do ask him questions about your All on 4® dental implant surgery and tell him about any concerns you have — he’ll take the time to answer and manage your concerns sensitively.
Why choose Dr Kristian van Mourik for your procedure?
A surgeon who listens and follows through
- He has the highest level of training and skills in oral and maxillofacial surgery, BBioMed (Monash), BDSHons (USyd), MBBS (USyd), FRACDS OMS
- He is a qualified surgeon, doctor and dentist.
- He specialises in diagnosing and treating a broad spectrum of conditions affecting the teeth, jaws, head and neck.
- He was awarded 3 University awards including, Dux of Dentistry, Dean’s List of High Achievers and Doctor of Medicine Post Graduate Scholarship.
Dr van Mourik is a highly experienced Oral and Maxillofacial surgeon. He explains things clearly and he’s a good listener, so do ask him questions about your All on 4® dental implant surgery and tell him about any concerns you have — he’ll take the time to answer and manage your concerns sensitively.
