If you’ve been researching Dental Implants, there’s a very good chance you’re wondering why there is such a wide disparity for the All on 4 costs.
Licensed dentists have all the necessary qualifications… So if they’re offering the services you need, often people will assume it must be perfectly reasonable to choose a dentist based on price.
But in order to make an informed decision on your All on 4 procedure, you need to understand a bit more about the factors that go into pricing, because they can have a major impact on the results and longevity of your implants.
With that in mind, there are three primary factors to look for, that can impact price… and the outcome of your procedure:
- The right education to maximise your comfort and the longevity of your implant
- The right materials for a durable, natural-looking implant
- And the dentist’s range of experience with implant procedures.
If your teeth are embarrassing you, or making it hard to enjoy your favourite meals, it’s time to schedule a complimentary implant Assessment with Dr. Spyrakis.
Your All on 4 Dentist’s Education Level
For the most part, dentistry school covers the same material, no matter where you go. This provides dentists with knowledge to perform general dentistry.
But what most people don’t realise is that the post-graduate education for performing advanced procedures can vary greatly (even for procedures with a surgical component–like performing dental implants).
There are essentially 2 ways to become trained to perform dental implants:
- Dentists can take a short course, that runs over several days…
- …Or they can take an intensive postgraduate course, that includes courses of clinical, theoretical, practical education, and a wide range of first-hand case experience.
While both courses of study qualify a dentist to perform dental implants, the nature of the short-form course is that there is only so much time to cover the material.
Therefore they tend to focus only on the basic techniques of the procedure. What often gets left out of that course of study is something called Treatment Planning.
Treatment Planning and the Impact on Patient Outcomes
Treatment Planning is the process of evaluating all of the factors that could impact the full tooth replacement procedure, the way your dentist approaches it, and how they plan to manage or minimise any complications, based on your individual patient history.
It’s a significant part of the training dentist’s receive in the post-graduate implant courses, because there are so many factors to consider…
- The spacing of your teeth
- How their position could impact or interfere with the implant
- Your gum health
- Jaw conformation and space for the implant
- Critical structures and nerves in relation to the ideal placement of the implant
- Location and depth of sinus cavities in relation to the necessary implant
- Bone structure and quality
- Type of implant to ensure secure, comfortable results
One of the more challenging aspects of the procedure is ensuring the implant is fully placed into the bone. Sometimes the ideal position in the bone is not ideal positioning for the implant. If the implant and bone end up misaligned, the teeth can look unnatural, gums can recede and the dark grey metal of the implant become visible around the gum.
By considering all of these factors (and many more), your dentist assembles a treatment plan that minimises risk of complications, ensures the implant placement doesn’t cause chronic discomfort or pain, and that it is going to last, so you don’t have to have the procedure redone.
Treatment planning is a necessary step for ALL patients to avoid complications from this surgical procedure such as:
- Nerve damage
- Loss of feeling in your tongue and lips
- Complications affecting the blood supply to your gums and natural teeth
- And chronic sinus issues from misplaced implants
- Receding gums
So how do you know if an All on 4 dentist has taken the full course of study in treatment planning?
- Ask them when and where they did their initial Implant Education and how long the course was.
- Take a look at their website.How many dental implant or All-on-4 related courses do you see listed there?
- Google the school or course provider. Read up on the length of the course and what they cover.
It may sound like a lot of work, but investing the time into finding the right dentist is worth it, even if it means a slightly higher All on 4 cost, as long as it avoids you having to invest in repair work in the future, or suffering irreversible side effects from misplaced implants.
The Materials Make the Implant
After education, the next (and most tangible) All On 4 cost factor are the materials themselves.
You’ll often find that the lower end quotes for implant procedures result in cheaper materials used throughout the procedure.
Two of the first questions you should ask your dentist are:
- Who manufactures their implants and crowns
- and where they are produced.
To ensure the highest quality implants (and the longevity of your investment), you want to look for brand-name implants from reputable manufacturers.
Quality Affects Implant Stability and Longevity.
When an implant becomes loose, the movement can cause a fracture of the implant itself or bone loss surrounding the implant due to trauma. Obviously, this can be quite painful, if it is not discovered quickly.
If an implant fails or becomes loose, it must have to be surgically removed and will require a replacement implant, ultimately doubling the cost of your initial procedure.
Similar concerns apply to the production of the dental crown or bridge.
Low cost All on 4 dental implant providers and overseas laboratories may use inferior materials, which can lead to discoloration and complications with the size and fit (which can impact comfort and implant stability over time).
So you want to make sure that Australian consumer safety regulations are in place to guarantee a high quality implant and avoid a very costly problem later on.
Some reputable brands to look for:
Biomet i3, Nobel Biocare and Astratech are three of the world’s leading manufacturers of All-on-4, Zygoma, and T3 implants.
These manufacturers operate worldwide and comply with Australian safety and quality regulations.
If your dentist uses any of these manufacturers, you can rest assured they’re using the best.
When evaluating crowns, we recommend verifying the reputation of the laboratory producing them for quality, as well as compliance with Australian standards for safety and durability.
A Google search can also help turn up information on reputation.
How Else Can You Know if Your Dentist is Using Quality Products?
Your dentist’s guarantee. Look for a guarantee around the 5-year mark.
Why 5 years?
Because if something is going to go wrong, whether due to movement in the implant, placement, the body’s healing processes etc, it is most likely to happen in the first five years, barring major changes in your physical health.
After that, it’s all about how you take care of them, just like your natural teeth.
Your Dentist’s Experience
Experience may be the most important checkpoint on the list.
Experience plays just a big a role as education when it comes to identifying the right treatment plan… And being able to execute it accurately.
Consider for a moment…
- The General Family Dentist, who also offer implants for the occasional patient
- Or the Implant Expert who focuses on implant procedures and oral surgeries
9 times out of 10, the Expert who focus on implant procedures, sees many more implant patients throughout the year, making their experiences with wide variety of treatment plans and patient needs sometimes more valuable than their formal education.
While the Expert might seem a bit more expensive than your average general dentist… they can be a bargain, when the job done RIGHT the first time, thanks to their experience.
What do you need to ask to be sure YOU get a true Implant Expert?
- Find out how many implants they install every year
- Find out how long they’ve been practicing implant denitstry
- And ask how many patients they perform All-on-4 or other implant procedures on every month
Medical Tourism has become increasingly popular over the past several years, and many people have taken to the idea of taking care of medical or dental procedures on holiday, in a location where their money “goes a bit further.”
There are certainly some clinics oversees that are worth a look, if the idea of having your implants done on holiday appeals to you.
We’ve already covered the 3 primary factors you need to consider when choosing an Implant Expert. Those apply anywhere, so you can use them to vet prospective clinics overseas as well.
Assuming those criteria all check out, there are a few unique considerations when evaluating medical tourism options.
- How do they handle initial consultations and treatment planning?
Domestically, your initial consultation determines whether you’re a candidate for implants and your treatment planning session to take images, and identify considerations for treatment typically happen in separate appointments from your actual procedure. - What happens if you need additional treatment before your procedure?
If you have any bone loss and need to undergo bone grafting before your procedure, can they handle that in house? - What about follow up?
Do they recommend you stay abroad long enough to return for a follow up visit, or follow-up with a dentist at home? How does this impact the cost of the procedure, and the value of having it done abroad? - What if something goes wrong once you return home?
In the event that an implant becomes loose, cracks, or a crown breaks, what is their policy? Even if it is guaranteed, are you willing to absorb the cost of the trip back to have them repair the work? Will they work with a local dentist for the repairs, to save you the expense and inconvenience of another overseas trip?
If Medical Tourism is an option you’re strongly considering, ask these questions to be informed to make sure the costs really do work out (and to avoid costly surprises).
No matter where you chose to have your All-on-4 procedure performed, as long as you know the right questions to ask, and are comfortable with your dentist’s answers, you can minimise your risks and ensure a worthwhile investment in your dental health.
To recap:
- You want to be sure your Implant Expert has the knowledge to plan the treatment properly.
- You want to know that they’re using quality materials that will stand the test of time.
- You want to know that they have the experience to select the highest quality materials, and install them properly.
- And you want to know that you’re getting quality work, that you’ll only pay for once.
If you follow the questions and guidelines above, you should have no trouble finding the right dentist to perform your implant surgery, and avoiding painful problems down the road.
The solution: All-On-Four Dental Implants
All-on-4 is an advanced dental implant technique where whole arches of permanent teeth are supported by just 4 implants.
All-on-Four implants provide the most natural-feeling alternative to dentures for those suffering with loose or missing teeth.
With All-On-4 you can receive your implants and your brand new set of permanent replacement teeth in just 24 hours, not the 3-4 months that conventional implants often require.
That means you can…
-
Stop feeling self conscious about your speech…
-
And start smiling again!
-
Eat all of your favorite foods, without discomfort…
-
…Or fear of dislodging your dentures.
-
Feel great (and younger) when you look in the mirror…
And rest easy, knowing you’ve preserved your remaining jaw bone structure, and reduced your risk for future gum problems and infection.
The All-On-Four procedure involves placing implants into the anterior maxilla, a region of the jaw with higher bone density.
This allows the implants to be angled at up to 45 degrees, which increases support and can help overcome some bone deficiencies while lessening the need for bone grafting procedures.
Because of this, All-On-4 provides the highest success rate for dental implants.
About the All-on-4 Procedure
Not sure if you’re a candidate for
All-On-4 dental implants?
Take our quick online suitability quiz to find out
if you are suitable for the all on 4 procedure.
Take our online quiz now
Find out if you are suitable for the all on 4
During your 30-minute consultation, Dr. Spyrakis will examine your teeth, gums, bone, and smile using an OPG panoramic scan.
You’ll discuss your personal needs and treatment outcomes directly with Dr. Spyrakis, so he can create a personalised treatment plan specifically for you.
Every consultation includes:
-
A thorough 30-minute consultation with Dr. Theo Spryakis
-
A 3D Panoramic scan of your teeth and jaw
-
And a recommended treatment plan to restore your smile, and get you back in the picture
To schedule your complimentary All on 4 consultation, simply pick up the phone
and call us at (02) 9567 4151 today.
What’s My
Investment?
Do you suffer from low self-esteem due to the condition of your teeth? How much is feeling self-conscious about your smile costing you? Are you avoiding going out because of the way you feel about smiling? Feeling awkward and shy about your teeth may be something you have to live with but having the smile you always wanted is now easier to get. At Bexley Dental, we can offer a number of easy All-on-4 payment plans.
Accessing Your
Superannuation
For Payment
We may be able to help you to fund the treatment through your superannuation. You will need to make an application to the ATO and if your application shows that your condition is causing acute or chronic pain, then you should be eligible to pay for your All on 4 treatment. Bexley Dental can refer you to a company who specialise in preparing the application for you and making sure your application is done correctly. This service costs $679.
Contact our clinic on (02) 9567 4151 for more information.
Flexible Payment Plans For A Full Arch of Teeth
-
Interest-free. No interest, ever!
-
20% deposit paid upfront while the rest is direct debited
-
Payment terms from 12 to 24 months
-
Choice of weekly, fortnightly or monthly payment cycles
Cost of All on 4
Step 1. Begin With Your Surgical Treatment
Per single arch
-
Surgical Implant Placement
-
Alveolectomy Per Quadrant (Reshaping)
-
Reducing Affected Bone
-
Fitting of Abutments
-
Market Leading Nobel Biocare Titanium Implants(Guaranteed for 5 years)
-
CBCT
-
Impressions For Provisional Teeth
Step 2. Choose Your New Teeth
-
BASIC
- Acrylic teeth with metal reinforcement for added strength
- 2-year guarantee on teeth*
- Additional fee applies for sleep sedation
$3,999
Per single archTotal with surgery
$18,998 -
Most
Popular!PREMIUM- High quality acrylic prosthesis and teeth with titanium frame. Strength and reliability, you can trust
- 5-year guarantee on teeth, implants and titanium bar**
- Waterpik Cordless Water Flosser (valued at $140)
- Additional fee applies for sleep sedation
$12,999
Per single archTotal with surgery $27,998
-
TITANIUM DELUXE
- Recommended for patients with heavy biting/chewing habits
- Milled zirconia (porcelain) framework with custom titanium substructure and zirconia teeth. The ultimate in strength and durability
- 7-year guarantee on teeth, implants and titanium bar**
- Waterpik Cordless Water Flosser (valued at $140) + 2 complimentary cleans
- Additional fees apply for sleep sedation
$17,999
Per single archTotal with surgery $32,998
Single Implants Start From:
$5,850
per implant
*Provisional acrylic teeth in the Basic Package are a short-term solution only, they may need to be upgraded to premium or deluxe teeth prosthesis after guarantee period.
**Guarantees are subject to attendance of regular 6 monthly check-up and cleans at Bexley Dental.
PLEASE NOTE: ALL OUR TEETH AND FRAMEWORKS ARE MANUFACTURED HERE IN AUASTRALIA BY THE MOST HIGHLY QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED DENTAL TECHNICIANS IN AUSTRALIA
Interested in learning more about Bexley Dental’s Approach to All on 4 Implants?
Simply pick up the phone and call us at
(02) 9567 4151 today.
Implant Assessment
We will examine your mouth, eliminate all risk factors and assess the correct course of treatment.