This is a question I get asked pretty regularly here at Townsville Dental Clinic, especially from patients who’ve been struggling with dentures or multiple missing teeth. As a dentist who’s placed quite a few All-on-4 systems for North Queensland locals, I reckon I can give you a solid rundown of why this treatment has become so popular.
Our Dentist’s Direct Answer
“All-on-4 implants let you replace an entire arch of teeth with just four strategically placed implants, which means less surgery, faster recovery, and lower costs compared to traditional implants. Here at Townsville Dental Clinic, patients love that they can often get temporary teeth fitted the same day. The tilted back implants avoid the need for bone grafting in most cases, and you get a fixed solution that feels and functions like natural teeth. It’s a game changer for folks who’ve been dealing with loose dentures or extensive tooth loss.”
What Makes All-on-4 Different
The clever bit about All-on-4 is in the design. Instead of needing six to eight implants per arch like traditional full mouth implants, we only use four. The two front implants go in straight, while the back two are angled up to 45 degrees to anchor into stronger bone areas.
This angled approach is brilliant because it avoids areas where bone density might be poor. In my years treating Townsville patients, I’ve found this particularly helpful for folks who’ve had dentures for a while and experienced bone loss. The tilted implants actually use the bone you have more efficiently, so we can skip the bone grafting process that would otherwise add months to treatment and thousands to the cost.
The prosthetic that attaches to these four implants is a full arch of teeth, usually 10 to 12 teeth, fixed permanently in place. You’re not taking them out at night like dentures.
The Main Advantages for Townsville Patients
Same day teeth are possible with All-on-4, which is a huge drawcard. We can often fit temporary teeth on the same day as implant placement, so you’re not walking around without teeth. The permanent prosthetic typically goes on after three to six months once everything’s healed.
The cost savings are substantial. Because you’re using four implants instead of six to eight, and usually avoiding bone grafts, you’re looking at roughly half the cost of traditional full arch implants. For most Townsville locals, this brings full mouth dental restoration into reach.
Recovery is much quicker and easier than traditional implants. Less surgery means less discomfort and faster healing. Most patients are back to soft foods within a few days and feel pretty much normal within a couple of weeks. Here in North Queensland where people want to get back to their active lifestyles quickly, that’s a real benefit.
Living With All-on-4 Implants
The day to day experience is what really wins patients over. All-on-4 implants feel and function like your own teeth because they’re permanently fixed. You can eat steak, bite into an apple, eat corn on the cob, all the things that are impossible or awkward with dentures.
There’s no slipping, clicking, or embarrassing moments. No adhesive pastes or overnight soaking. You brush and floss them like natural teeth, though we’ll show you some special techniques for cleaning around the implants properly.
The bone preservation aspect is significant too. Because the implants stimulate the jawbone like natural tooth roots, they help prevent the bone loss that happens with dentures. This means your facial structure stays more natural looking over time, avoiding that sunken appearance that long term denture wearers often develop.
What You Need to Know Before Committing
All-on-4 works best when you’re replacing all teeth in an arch. If you still have some healthy teeth remaining, we’d need to have a chat about whether this is your best option or if other treatments might preserve your natural teeth.
You need adequate bone density and volume, though the requirements are less strict than traditional implants. We’ll do a CT scan here at the clinic to assess your bone and plan the implant placement precisely. Most people are suitable candidates, but patients with uncontrolled diabetes, heavy smokers, or certain bone conditions might face challenges.
Success rates for All-on-4 are excellent, typically above 95% when patients follow care instructions and attend regular checkups. The implants themselves can last decades, though the prosthetic teeth on top usually need replacement every 10 to 15 years due to normal wear.
Cost and Investment Considerations
While All-on-4 is more affordable than traditional full arch implants, it’s still a significant investment, typically ranging from $20,000 to $30,000 per arch in Townsville. That might sound like a fair bit, but consider what you’re getting: a permanent solution that should last 20 plus years.
Compare that to dentures, which seem cheaper initially but need relining, adjustments, and replacement every five to seven years. Over a couple of decades, the costs become pretty similar, except with All-on-4 you get a much better quality of life throughout.
Many patients here at Townsville Dental Clinic use payment plans to make the treatment more manageable. It’s worth having a chat about your options.
If you’ve got more questions about All-on-4 implants, pop into Townsville Dental Clinic and we can assess your situation and discuss whether this treatment is right for you.
