What Are The Risks Of All-On-4®?

Do All-On-4® Dental Implants Present Any Complications?

While the dental procedure known as All-on-4 has a high success rate of 98%, the treatment can present a few complications. The good news is that with the right dental practitioner, and diagnosis, you can have functionality restored to your jaw and enjoy a smile you can be proud of.

If you’re investigating a new dental implant procedure, find out about the potential All-On-4® risks, and how to identify if the procedure hasn’t worked for you.

At The Point Dental, we use Nobel Biocare dental implants and our dentists are trained and experienced in delivering All-On-4® treatments in accordance with the MALO clinic. Book a complimentary consultation to find out more about this revolutionary procedure.

Potential for implant failure

On average, less than 0.5% of All-On-4® dental implants fail to fuse to the bone. That is considered very low risk. If something does go wrong, a new implant can be placed instead. The second time around, there is a higher chance of the implant securing successfully to the bone.

What Can Cause All-On-4® Dental Implants to Fail?

Inexperienced dental practitioners, inappropriate prosthesis, and pre-existing dental diseases can all impact on the success rate of the All-on-4 procedure. That’s why it’s crucial to choose a dental practitioner who has experience applying the All-on-4 concept, and who uses approved implants trademarked by reputable companies like Nobel Biocare.

Other factors which may contribute to the failure of dental implants include:

• Incorrect impressions to fit the replacement prosthesis
• Diseases such as peri-implantitis
• Failed osteointegration as a result of insufficient bone density

The above complications will be avoided if a dental practitioner has been trained in the MALO Institute’s All-On-4® dental implant procedure, and uses 3D imaging, scans, and quality lab equipment to make correct impressions of the patient’s mouth.

How Do I Know If My Dental Implants Have Failed?

While it is natural to feel a certain amount of discomfort immediately after your All-On-4® procedure, you should not experience ongoing, debilitating pain or inflammation. The three most common signs an implant has failed are:

• Severe discomfort or pain
• Swelling or inflammation of the gums
• The implant has become loose or moves in the mouth

What Do I Do If I Think My All-On-4® Dental Implants Have Failed?

Any experienced and professional dentist will schedule follow-up appointments post-surgery. The last of these occurs at around the six-month mark. If you experience the above symptoms or have concerns about your implants, either between appointments or after your last follow up appointment, contact your dentist straight away.

Often, any pain or discomfort is a result of your gums and mouth recovering. But, if you are one of the very few who experiences nerve ending damage or peri-implantitis, your dentist can treat the infection and/or nerve ending pain without removing the implant.

Are All-On-4® Dental Implants At Risk Of Causing Infection?

There is a very low risk of infection after getting All-On-4® implants. However, if infection does occur, it is important to treat it promptly. Usually, conventional mouth hygiene — and potentially some targeted mouth washing — can address the problem. But if left untreated, negative and painful effects can manifest.

Ensure that you keep your mouth clean and hygienic after the surgery, and alert your dentist to anything that seems unusual or wrong, like loose implants, puffy gums, bad breath, increasing pain around the implant, pus, fever, or notable bleeding.

Are Certain Patients At Greater Risk Of Problems With All-On-4®?

Although All-On-4® is safe for the vast majority of people (this is one of the particular benefits of the treatment) some people are at higher risk for All-On-4® dental implants, with a slightly higher chance of All-On-4® dental implant failure. Things like osteoporosis, having had radiation therapy, or having an immune system that is compromised, might make a difference. For peace of mind and to take any precautionary measures, speak with your dentist before proceeding with the surgery.

Can Lifestyle Factors Cause All-On-4® To Fail?

Dental implants can be riskier, and dental implant problems can occur more easily, for people with certain habits and attributes. Smoking, drinking, and your personal hygiene can all have an impact. Talk to your dentist about what you can do to maximise success.

What Can I Do To Help Improve The Odds That My All-On-4® Procedure Will Be Successful?

There are post-operation steps you can take to look after your mouth. If you follow these instructions, you’ll recover better and more quickly. Additionally, it is important to continue coming in for scheduled check-ups so that, in the unlikely event that something goes wrong, effective action can be taken quickly.

How Do I Choose The Right Dentist?

When looking for a dental practice to perform your All-On-4® dental implant surgery, ask questions like:

• Have they performed All-On-4® procedures before?
• Are they trained by the MALO Institute?
• Do they have a skilled team of professionals?
• Does the practice use Nobel Biocare dental implants?
• Do they understand dental fear, and offer alternate anaesthetic options?

Why choose The Point Dental?

At The Point Dental, we use digital photo imaging, intra-oral radiography, and CT scanners (among other pieces of high quality lab technology) to get a detailed map of your mouth. From there, we’ll use dental implants by Nobel Biocare to create new, natural looking teeth which fit your mouth perfectly. Our patients have enjoyed incredibly high success rates, with minimal pain and discomfort during the non-invasive All-On-4® dental procedure.

If you’d like to find out more about our team of experienced dental clinicians, book a complimentary consultation. We’ll explain the All-On-4® risks in more detail, and you’ll have a chance to ask us any questions or express any concerns you may have.