All On 4 Plus® Full Arch Replacement: Your Questions Answered

Losing most or all of your teeth in one arch is a big deal, and finding the right replacement option can feel overwhelming. All On 4 Plus® full arch replacement is one approach that uses dental implants to support a complete set of fixed replacement teeth. At Diggers Rest Dental House, serving Diggers Rest, Caroline Springs, Hillside, Taylors Lakes, and Sydenham, we help patients understand their options for complete arch restoration.

Let’s break down what All On 4 Plus® involves, what to expect during treatment, and the All On 4 plus info factors that determine whether it might suit your situation.

What Exactly Is All On 4 Plus®?

All On 4 Plus® uses four or more dental implants strategically placed in your jawbone to support a full arch of replacement teeth. These titanium posts are surgically positioned where your bone is strongest, and they replace 10-14 teeth in one arch with a fixed prosthesis.

The “Plus” part means your dentist might use more than four implants depending on your jaw structure and bone quality. Typically, the back implants are angled to maximise contact with available bone and avoid areas like sinuses or nerves.

Unlike removable dentures that you take out each night, All On 4 Plus® teeth stay fixed in place. They won’t shift around while you chew or talk, making them a more stable and comfortable solution than traditional dentures.

As you heal, your bone grows around the dental implants through a process called osseointegration. This anchors and stabilises the implants whilst helping prevent the jawbone shrinking that typically occurs with tooth loss.

The Treatment Journey

Getting Started: Assessment

Your journey begins with a complete dental exam and evaluation. We’ll assess your bone structure, remaining teeth, overall oral health, and discuss all options with you, including budget considerations.

Not everyone is a suitable candidate – factors like bone quality, certain medical conditions, smoking, and oral hygiene all play a role. However, if you’ve been turned down for implants in the past, All On 4 Plus® may still work for you because we only need four implants placed where your bone is strongest. In some cases, bone grafting can build up the area to hold an implant once healed.

This assessment helps determine whether All On 4 Plus® full arch replacement is appropriate for your situation or whether alternative treatments might be better suited to your needs.

Surgery Day

The surgical procedure involves removing any remaining teeth in the arch (if needed) and placing the implants. This typically takes two to four hours per arch under local anaesthesia or sedation.

You’ll need someone to drive you to and from your surgery, as you may be groggy afterwards. Some swelling, bruising, and discomfort is normal – most patients manage well with prescribed pain medications and following post-operative care instructions.

Temporary Teeth

In many cases, you’ll receive temporary teeth within days of surgery. These provisional teeth let you eat (with restrictions) and smile whilst your implants heal and integrate with your bone.

Initial healing usually takes one to two weeks, though you’ll need to stick to softer foods during this time. Full osseointegration takes several months, but you’ll have functional teeth throughout the healing process.

Final Teeth

Once your implants have properly integrated, we’ll take impressions or digital scans to create your final prosthesis. This process involves several appointments for fittings and adjustments to ensure proper fit and function.

The final teeth are typically made from durable materials like porcelain or zirconia, designed to last many years with proper care.

What About Maintenance?

Here’s something important: All On 4 Plus® isn’t a fit-and-forget solution. Your replacement teeth need daily cleaning using specific techniques – your dental team will show you how. You’ll also need regular professional maintenance appointments every three to six months.

Think of it like owning a car. Regular servicing keeps everything running smoothly and helps catch potential problems early. Skip the maintenance, and you risk complications down the track.

The prosthesis itself may need repairs or replacement over time. Acrylic components typically last 10-15 years before needing replacement, though this varies based on wear patterns and care.

Things That Can Go Wrong

Let’s be honest – whilst dental implants generally have good success rates, complications can occur. These might include implant failure, infections, screw loosening, prosthesis fractures, or gum problems.

Your individual risk depends on factors like bone quality, overall health, oral hygiene, and whether you smoke. Following post-treatment care instructions and attending maintenance appointments significantly influences long-term outcomes.

Some medical conditions or medications can affect healing and increase complication risks. Your dentist will discuss these factors during your assessment.

Who’s a Good Candidate?

All On 4 Plus® works well for patients with most or all of their teeth missing in one arch. It’s mainly used to replace the upper or lower teeth and can help prevent bone loss in that area.

You’re more likely to be a suitable candidate if you:

• Have most or all teeth missing in an arch
• Have sufficient jawbone and gum tissue structure (or are suitable for bone grafting)
• Are in generally good health
• Don’t smoke (or are willing to quit)
• Can maintain excellent oral hygiene
• Understand the time and financial commitment involved
• Have realistic expectations about outcomes

Even if you’ve been turned down for implants before, All On 4 Plus® might still be an option because we’re only placing four implants where your bone is strongest, rather than trying to place an implant for every missing tooth.

People with uncontrolled diabetes, certain autoimmune conditions, or those taking medications that affect bone healing may not be suitable candidates or may face increased complication risks.

What About Other Options?

All On 4 Plus® isn’t the only way to replace a full arch of teeth. Alternatives include:

• Conventional removable dentures (lower cost, different maintenance needs)
• Implant-supported overdentures (removable but more stable than conventional dentures)
• Different implant configurations (may require more implants or bone grafting)

Each approach has pros and cons regarding cost, function, maintenance, and suitability. Your individual situation determines which options might work best for you.

The Financial Side

All On 4 Plus® full arch replacement involves significant investment. Costs include surgery, implants, temporary and final prostheses, and ongoing maintenance. Prices vary based on case complexity, materials used, and any additional procedures needed.

Private health insurance typically provides limited coverage for major dental work. Check with your insurer about what’s covered before proceeding.

You’ll also need to factor in time off work for surgery and recovery, plus multiple appointments over several months.

Setting Realistic Expectations

Here’s what you should know: All On 4 Plus® can restore many aspects of tooth function, but outcomes vary between individuals. Your new teeth won’t feel exactly like natural teeth, and there’s an adjustment period.

You’ll need to modify some eating habits – very hard, sticky, or tough foods may need to be avoided. Chewing efficiency improves significantly compared to dentures but may not equal natural teeth.

Speaking and eating feel different initially, and it takes time to adapt. Most people adjust over weeks to months, but individual experiences vary.

Making Your Decision

All On 4 Plus® full arch replacement represents one option for complete arch restoration. Whether it’s right for you depends on your anatomy, health status, lifestyle, expectations, and budget.

The best approach is scheduling a consultation where we can assess your specific situation, discuss all available options, and answer your questions. This helps you make an informed decision based on accurate information about your individual circumstances.

Ready to explore your options for full arch replacement? Contact Diggers Rest Dental House at 03 8798 9782 or complete our enquiry form to schedule a consultation. We’ll discuss whether All On 4 Plus® or another treatment approach might suit your needs.

Note: Ask for an All On 4® Consult during your booking to be eligible for a complimentary consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do All On 4 Plus® implants last?

Implant longevity varies significantly based on factors like bone quality, oral hygiene, overall health, and lifestyle habits. Whilst many implants function successfully for years, some may develop complications requiring intervention. The prosthesis typically needs maintenance or replacement over time. Individual outcomes vary and can’t be predicted with certainty.

Will it hurt?

The surgery itself is performed under anaesthesia, so you won’t feel pain during the procedure. Afterwards, expect some discomfort, swelling, and bruising – experiences vary widely between individuals. Pain medications help manage post-operative discomfort, which typically improves over several days to weeks.

Can I eat normally afterwards?

You’ll need to adapt your eating habits. Whilst many foods become manageable after healing, chewing efficiency may not equal natural teeth. Hard, sticky, or very tough foods might need to be avoided or modified. Your eating abilities develop gradually during the adjustment period.

Note: All content and media on the  Diggers Rest Dental House website and social media channels are created and published online for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied on as health or personal advice.