Understanding the Problems With All-On-4 Dental Implants And How to Fix Them

All-On-4 dental implants are a popular solution for those looking to replace their missing teeth, but they can come with some potential risks.

It’s important to understand these risks along with the pros and cons before making a decision about whether or not this type of implant is right for you.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss what All-On-4 dental implants are, how they work, and the potential risks associated with them. 

 

What Are All-On-4 Dental Implants?

All-On-Four dental implants are a type of implant that uses four titanium posts in each jaw bone to support a full arch of replacement teeth that will look exactly like their natural teeth.

The posts are surgically implanted into the jawbone and provide stability and support for the artificial teeth.

The main benefit of this type of implant is that it allows patients to have an entire arch of replacement teeth without having to undergo multiple implant surgeries or bone grafting.

This can save time, money, and discomfort compared to traditional dental implants.

 

Potential Risks Associated With All-On-4 Dental Implants

While All-On-4 dental implants offer many benefits over traditional implants, there are also some potential risks associated with them. 

 

1. Potential for implant failure

One risk is that the titanium posts may cause irritation in the gums or jawbone if not properly placed or maintained over time. This is called an implant failure.

All-On-4 dental implants are highly reliable, with a success rate of 90-95%.

However, should any problems arise resulting in the implant not fusing to the bone, a new one can be placed instead.

Fortunately, due to their incredibly high success rate and quality assurance procedures, it is almost guaranteed that your implant will fuse successfully into place. 

 

Causes for All-On-4 dental implant failure

Unsuitable prostheses and pre-existing dental issues can both obstruct the success of the All-On-4 process.

Therefore, it is essential to select a dental professional who has expertise in the All-On-4 dental procedure and uses verified implants trademarked for your peace of mind.

Additional factors which could lead to the failure of dental implants may include:

• Inaccurate impressions can lead to a misaligned prosthetic replacement.
• Especially damaging diseases like peri-implantitis.
• Insufficient bone density can result in failed osseointegration. 

 

How to know if your implant fails

Dental implant failure can be tricky to diagnose; however, there are certain signs which indicate that your implants may not have been successful.

These include swelling, pain, or prolonged bleeding around the implant site. While changes in colour or a feeling of looseness may also be present, they should not be ignored.

If any of these symptoms are present following implant surgery, you should contact your dentist right away to ensure that the implants are still functioning correctly.

Ensuring that dental implants remain successful is vital for ensuring your overall dental health, so do not delay in seeking a professional opinion if you feel something is wrong.

Generally, any discomfort is likely due to your gums and oral healing.

However, if you are one of the few who experience nerve damage or peri-implantitis, then your dentist can treat the infection and/or pain without having to take out the implant.

So, mainly with the proper diagnosis, access to 3D imaging scans for accurate impressions of the patient’s mouth and top-quality equipment, your dentist can protect you from any potential complications. 

 

2. Potential for causing infection

There’s a risk of infections related to dental implants; however, an infection can arise due to contamination during the implant surgery or if one of the following patient-related factors, such as:

• If you don’t have a sufficient bone density
• If you’ve been through radiation therapy
• If you have a weakened immune system 

 

When you have an infection around an implant, you may notice some of these signs:

• Loose or wobbly implant
• Red or puffy gums around the implant
• Bad taste or breath
• Pain around the implant
• Pus
• You may be able to see the top of the implant
• Fever
• Bleeding when brushing around the implant 

 

How to avoid having an infection?

Avoiding an implant infection is important for your oral health, and fortunately, there are simple measures you can take to minimise your risk.

• Firstly, it is important to maintain a good oral hygiene routine, such as brushing twice a day and flossing every day, to keep bacteria levels low.
• Secondly, avoid eating or drinking anything too hot soon after your surgery – this could weaken the healing of your gums and increase the chance of infection.
• If you’re a smoker, the best thing you can do for the success of your All-On-4 implants is to stop; smoking has been linked with an increased risk of complications following dental procedures.
• Finally, reducing stress and getting plenty of rest will support healthy healing in general and ensure that no risks of failure or infection occur following surgery.

However, if the infection is not addressed in a timely manner, these consequences may become both uncomfortable and damaging.

To ensure a healthy recovery after surgery, make sure to keep your mouth clean and observe any changes.

And if you experience loose implants, puffy gums, bad breath, increasing pain around the implant area, or pus formation accompanied by fever or notable bleeding, alert your dentist immediately! 

 

 

Are certain patients at a higher risk of complications with All-On-4 implants?

When considering teeth replacement with All-On-4 implants, patients should be aware that certain medical conditions may increase their risk of complications.

In particular, systemic diseases, such as diabetes and autoimmune disorders, can journey the healing process of dental implant surgery, meaning that a patient may take longer to recover.

In some cases, medications prescribed for these types of conditions may interfere with bone healing or the integration of the implant into the jawbone.

Of course, this varies from individual to individual, so it is important for any patient considering All-On-4 implants to speak with a qualified dental professional to understand their specific risk factors and determine if this type of medical procedure is right for them. 

 

Do an individual’s lifestyle and habits threaten the success of All-On-4?

Maintaining good oral hygiene and avoiding bad habits like smoking are two important lifestyle factors that can greatly influence the success of All-On-4.

Smoking significantly reduces levels of oxygen in the blood, impairing healing and increasing the risk of gum disease, while poor oral hygiene can lead to persistent inflammation around the implants, which can cause them to fail.

Therefore, individuals who are considering All-On-4 need to seriously consider their lifestyle habits and their capacity to adhere to a strict oral health regimen if they want to have a successful outcome.

It’s best to talk with your doctor about any lifestyle changes you should make before undergoing this procedure. 

 

What to do to improve the odds that the All-On-4 procedure will be successful

Taking proactive steps is essential for ensuring that your All-On-4 procedure is successful.

The first and most essential step is to be prepared mentally and emotionally for the journey ahead, which means setting reasonable goals and expectations.

Additionally, it’s a good idea to seek an experienced dentist who can provide the highest quality care throughout treatment.

You should also follow your dentist’s pre and postoperative instructions carefully and make sure to practise excellent oral hygiene regularly, as it may help support better healing outcomes.

Ultimately, with these proactive approaches in place, you can work towards improving your odds of achieving a successful All-On-4 procedure. 

 

Conclusion

All-On-4 dental implants offer an excellent solution for those looking to replace their missing teeth without undergoing multiple implant surgeries.

However, it’s essential to understand the potential risks associated with this permanent teeth procedure before making a decision about whether or not it’s right for you.

If you’re considering getting All-On-4 dental implants, make sure you contact one of our four conveniently located clinics in Sydney CBD, Gosford, Eastwood or Tuggerah, for any questions or concerns you may have so we can help you make an informed decision about your oral health care needs. 

Sydney CBD: (02) 8294 5812
Gosford: (02) 8294 8656
Eastwood: (02) 9299 8842
Tugerrah: (02) 8207 3164

 

Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner. 

 

 

 

Sources

A longitudinal study of the survival of All-On-4 implants in the mandible with up to 10 years of follow-up
https://jada.ada.org/article/S0002-8177(14)62041-9/fulltext

The all-on-four treatment concept: Systematic review
https://restorativedentistry.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/The_all-on-four_treatment_concept_Systematic_revie.pdf

The all-on-four treatment concept: Systematic review
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5347302/

Dental Implants: What you should know
https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/dental-devices/dental-implants-what-you-should-know

Prosthodontic Perspective to All-On-4® Concept for Dental Implants
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4253293/

Factors Affecting the Survival Rate of Dental Implants: A Retrospective Study
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5774056/#:~:text=A%20dental%20implant%20is%20a,implants%20over%20the%2010%20years.

The effect of radiotherapy on survival of dental implants in head and neck cancer patients
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4808316/

The Effects of Systemic Diseases and Medications on Implant Osseointegration: A Systematic Review
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31116832/