All-on-4® Dental Implants

At Smile Solutions your All-on-4® dental implant treatment will be performed by one of our team of board-registered specialist prosthodontists, periodontists, oral & maxillofacial surgeons, and dual medical qualified dental surgeons – not a general dentist providing care across multiple fields or specialists. Therefore you can rest assured you’re in the safest hands.

To qualify as a registered specialist in Australia, practitioners must first have the same degree as a general dentist. They then study for a further Masters degree or equivalent, or a PhD in a particular field, making them eligible to apply for registration with the Dental Board of Australia as a specialist.

For your permanent fixed bridge, we principally work with ceramic material when crafting your new smile, not acrylic denture teeth or any other inferior resin (plastic) material.

Ceramic is a superior option for several reasons, including better durability to ensure a longer lifespan and resistance to wear and tear, making them more cost effective in the long run. Ceramic teeth are also highly resistant to staining, which means they maintain their brightness and colour over time with proper care. Ceramic bridges closely mimics the natural translucency and texture of real teeth.

The titanium bar substructure plays an important role in the success and longevity of the All-on-4 dental implant bridge. Serving as a strong foundation, it securely supports the prosthetic teeth in place, distributing chewing forces evenly across the implants and preserving the underlying bone structure. This stability not only enhances the functionality of the restored teeth but also provides patients with the confidence to eat, speak, and smile without worry.

Our in-house Smile Solutions laboratory has been set up exclusively to service our own patients. Our ceramists and lab technicians do not work with any clinicians outside of Smile Solutions, allowing them to dedicate all of their time to creating the very best work for our own patients. We do not send any of our work offshore and only purchase TGA-approved products in the manufacture of our appliances.

Waiting 3-6 months for healing allows your bone and gums to recover properly after surgery before the final fabrication of the permanent bridge.

At Smile Solutions we are a certified All-on-4® clinic, using only premium All-on-4® registered products – no inferior alternatives. The All-on-4® system uses Swiss-made Nobel implants, advanced technology and proven techniques developed through extensive research and clinical studies ensuring reliability, predictability, and long-term success. The brand’s commitment to ongoing innovation and continuous improvement further solidifies its reputation as a leader in implant dentistry, inspiring confidence for both clinicians and patients.

If you have private health insurance with hospital cover, your procedure can be carried out in the comfort and safety of a private hospital rather than a dental surgery. Because your treatment is performed by a specialist, you’re eligible for hospital-based care, providing an added level of reassurance and comfort throughout your procedure. This is particularly important for patients who:

• are older or have pre-existing medical concerns
• have dental anxiety/phobia
• require complex surgery

At Smile Solutions we utilise the services of oral & maxillofacial surgeons who works within our team for more complex treatment such as extensive bone grafting, sinus lifts and zygomatic implants.

Your initial, complimentary appointment will be with an experienced registered dentist, not a sales person without any formal qualification in dentistry.

At Smile Solutions, we continually pioneer new technologies to provide our patients with the highest level of treatment and the best results. Our superior technology specific to All-on-4® and dental implant treatment includes:

• iCam 4D Implant and Scanner: Enhances accuracy and efficient by capturing detailed images for precise measurements and virtual implant placement simulations.
• Exocad DentalCAD Software – allows precise implant planning and visualisation for more predicable outcomes.
• coDiagnostix® Software – provides detailed 3D images of the jaw structure to ensure accurate implant placement and faster recovery times.

In All-on-4® dentistry, “PF” stands for prosthetic framework. PF1 bridges have little to no pink and closely follow the the natural bone contours, while PF3 bridges rely on larger volumes of pink acrylic or ceramic to compensate for significant bone loss or aggressive surgical reduction. At Smile Solutions we aim for PF1 wherever possible, which means preserving bone rather than removing it unnecessarily. Achieving a PF1 outcome demands a high level of skill across the entire team:

• The implant surgeon must be conservative
• The prosthodontist must design with precision
• The ceramist must craft with minimal need for camouflage

The result is a more natural fit, better soft tissue support, and preserved bone – essentially if future treatment is ever needed. We don’t take shortcuts; we plan for long-term health.

All-on-4® implants use four titanium anchor points to securely and permanently support your new teeth, preventing the movement often experienced with traditional dentures. With fewer implants required, patients typically benefit from reduced recovery time and less discomfort. This streamlined approach also makes All-on-4® a more cost-effective alternative to replacing each tooth individually.

Adjusting to speaking with All-on-4® dental implants may initially feel different, but most people adapt quickly. The time it takes to fully adjust varies from person to person. Some people feel comfortable speaking with their implants within a few days, while others may take a few weeks.

You may experience some difficulty pronouncing certain sounds or speaking clearly during the first few days or weeks. Your tongue, lips, and facial muscles will gradually adapt to the new structure of your mouth and prosthesis.

It is possible for tiny particles of food to find their way under All-on-4® dental implants. To minimise any issues, it’s recommended that patients thoroughly clean around the implants and prosthesis after meals using a water flosser, interdental brushes, or dental floss. This helps remove any trapped food particles.

Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and to ensure the implants are in good condition. Your dentist can also address any concerns about food getting stuck. If you notice persistent issues with food getting trapped, your dentist can make adjustments to the prosthesis to improve its fit and minimise gaps where food can accumulate.

Also be mindful while eating – chew slowly and carefully, and avoid overly sticky or stringy foods that are more likely to get stuck.

Some ongoing maintenance is necessary for your All-On-4® dental implants. For example, a dental hygienist will need to remove the bridge and clean your implants twice a year. Some patients require a realignment of the prosthetic bridge every five to seven years as tissues and bone change. If ceramic crowns were chosen, the porcelain is likely to need repair or replacement over time.

Like natural teeth, it is important that you maintain good oral hygiene to prolong the lifespan of your implants.

Brush your teeth and gums at least twice a day using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a non-abrasive toothpaste. Use gentle, circular motions to clean around the implants and along the gumline.

Use dental floss or interdental brushes to clean between the implants and around the base of the prosthesis. This helps remove plaque and food debris that may accumulate in hard-to-reach areas.

Consider using a water flosser (oral irrigator) to flush out food particles and debris from around the implants and under the prosthesis.

With All-on-4® dental implants, you can eat a wide range of foods, similar to natural teeth.

During the healing phase, stick to soft foods to avoid pressure on the implants and avoid hard or sticky foods.

After full recovery, most foods are permissible, but be cautious with very hard or sticky items to prevent damage. Avoid biting directly into very hard or tough foods like apples or steak. Instead, cut them into smaller, bite-sized pieces.

Chew evenly, maintain good oral hygiene, and attend regular dental check-ups. Following these guidelines can help ensure the longevity and functionality of your All-on-4® dental implants. Always consult your dentist for personalised advice.

Most patients we see at Smile Solutions are suitable for All-On-4® dental implants. Before starting treatment, you will undergo a full dental and medical assessment by one of our clinicians to evaluate your suitability.

An ideal candidates requires sufficient bone density in the jaw to support the implants. In some cases, bone grafting may be necessary to build up the bone before implants can be placed. Patients must have healthy gums be free of conditions like gum disease, which can affect the success of the implants.

Good overall health is also important, as certain medical conditions (such as uncontrolled diabetes or immune disorders) and habits (like smoking) can affect healing and implant success.

All-on-4® dental implants can last 20 years or more with proper care and maintenance. The implants themselves are designed to be permanent, while the prosthetic teeth may need to be replaced or repaired over time. Regular dental check-ups, good oral hygiene, and avoiding harmful habits like smoking can help extend the longevity of the implants.

With All-on-4® dental implants, you typically receive a full arch of 12 to 14 teeth.

All-on-4® dental implants are a popular solution for patients who have lost most or all of their teeth. While this treatment offers many benefits, including stability, improved aesthetics, and functionality, not every patient is a suitable candidate.

The All-on-4® procedure is complex and requires a high level of skill and experience from the dental surgeon. Full integration of the implants with the bone can take several months, during which patients must be cautious with their diet and oral hygiene.

Some patients may also require bone grafting if they lack sufficient bone density to support the implants, which can increase the overall treatment time and cost.

Full-arch implant dentures have various benefits over traditional dentures, including improved ability to eat, better taste and sense of texture of food as the palate is exposed, greater comfort, improved speech and, ultimately, a more aesthetically pleasing look.

There is no pain during surgery as it is performed under general anaesthetic. After surgery you may feel slight discomfort in the area, or have swelling (which can vary from patient to patient), but this typically goes away within a few days of surgery.

All-On-4® dental implants has a very high success rate. Traditionally, dental implants and single implant-supported dentures require three to six months’ healing time before the prosthesis can be attached to achieve oral function. By contrast, Smile Solutions’ All-On-4® procedure allows this to occur almost immediately, without jeopardising the success rates of the implants.

Some of the benefits of All-On-4® treatment include: fully fixed functional teeth, long-lasting restoration, healthy-looking gums, improved appearance, easy maintenance, and the one that most patients appreciate: that they look, feel and function like real teeth.

When you come in for your consultation, your specialist will discuss the cost of your individual treatment plan with you. As a guide, All-on-4® treatment starts from $29,000 for a single arch, and $54,000 for dual arch.

Various factors influence the costs involved with All-On-4® dental implants. As with any dental procedure, the costs can vary with the different complexity levels for different patients. Because part of this procedure takes place in a hospital, there will be some hospital fees, but these will be included in your initial quote, and some Medicare rebates will apply.