A Guide to Prolonging The Life Of Your All-on-4® with Dental Implants

One of the main reasons for patients to choose All-on-4® with dental implants over alternative methods of teeth replacements is how easy to clean and maintain they are. Due to the clever design of the All-on-4® bridges which only use four implants, they are very easy to clean and offer a simple cleaning regime for recipients of All-on-4® restorative treatments designed by Dr Paulo Malo. 

If you are amongst the rapidly growing number of people with one or two prostheses anchored on only four implants, the following dental hygiene protocol will ensure you beautiful smiles for many years to come. 

What is All-on-4®?

All-on-4® involves the replacement of all teeth – what dentists call full-arch rehabilitation, on only four anchoring dental implants. These dental implants are small titanium fixtures inserted into your jawbone during a surgical procedure. The All-on-4® treatment greatly reduces the number of implants required, increases the procedure’s success rate drastically and provides for simpler maintenance and easier cleaning.

Next Smile™ adheres to the two-stage Malo Protocol with a clinically proven 98% success rate*. 

As a permanent, fixed alternative to dentures, All-on-4® offers a minimalist treatment approach that eliminates the need for bone grafting and expedites the healing process. A temporary prosthesis will be fitted within 24 hours of surgery – without the lengthy and painful procedure required for conventional implants. 

Poorly fit bridges can collect food and saliva at the transition lines, where prosthesis and gums meet. This greatly increases the risk of dental hygiene issues and even implant failure. To reduce the likelihood of this happening, All-on-4® with dental implants are fitted by experienced, highly-educated dental professionals, trained and endorsed by All-on-4® inventor Paulo Malo himself. 

Curious to meet our team of dental professionals here at Next Smile™? Click here to learn more about our fantastic staff at your local Next Smile™ All-on-4® Centre!

No matter how great your oral surgeon and their team are, a large part of the treatment’s success is in your own hands. Good oral hygiene is critical in caring for your implants and bridges. But don’t worry, your daily routine shouldn’t be all too different from what you’re already used to. 

Not only does All-on-4® with dental implants look and feel like natural teeth, but it also has very similar cleaning requirements.

How to Care for All-on-4® with Dental Implants

We highly recommend you to take the following seriously and be as meticulous as possible in the application of our tips on dental implant care post-procedure. To remove food and bacteria that cling to the bridge and prevent mouth odours and implant-related gum disease or infection, good oral hygiene is essential.

You have most likely spent a lot of time, energy and money on your beautiful new teeth, and we want you to enjoy them for the rest of your life – whilst avoiding any complications. Therefore, you can expect your Next Smile™ team to walk you through the following in detail, as part of the Gold Standard value we provide to all of our patients.

Oral Hygiene Tips for All-on-4® Patients

• Opt for an electric toothbrush for a more thorough and effective clean. Brushes with rubber tips can be useful for polishing plaque off the bridge’s surface.
• Brush your teeth at least twice daily or after every meal, for a minimum of 2 minutes each time.
• Be particular about scrubbing all surfaces, including your tongue, cheeks, and gums, all the way up to the gum line. Brushing the transition line is essential. If food particles get stuck there, it can cause serious infections. Softer areas of the mouth hold bacteria and plaque particularly well and are crucial to good oral hygiene.  
• Use super floss or X-floss under the bridge at least once a day. Ask your dentist to show you how to do this if you’re struggling with it. 
• Use a non-alcohol antibacterial mouthwash to ensure the bacteria and smaller particles between the prosthesis and your gum are removed. 
• Use a Waterpik to remove plaque from between your teeth and under the bridge, where a toothbrush can’t reach. Fill the tank with ¼ mouth rinse and ¾ water and use it on the lower or medium setting to avoid damaging your soft gums. 
• Attend dental checkups for routine, professional cleans and assessments every six months, but at least once a year or as recommended by your dentist.

What happens if you don’t clean your All-on-4® correctly?

If you fail to clean and maintain your dental implants, you’re risking implant failure and infections around the implant sites in your jaw. This can be quite catastrophic and lead to gum inflammation and bone loss. In some cases, the implants have to be fully removed.

If you, at any point, struggle to clean under the bridge, see your dentist and have them remove and adjust it.

Why Choose Next Smile™ for your All-on-4® treatment?

The Malo Protocol is an All-on-4® treatment concept invented by Dr Paulo Malo and his sponsor Nobel Biocare. Next Smile™ adheres to this protocol because we believe that there are no short-cuts to success. The Malo Protocol provides predictable outcomes for our patients – a fact proven by over 25 years of clinical research data.

A quality All-on-4® treatment will result in natural-looking and feeling teeth in every way, from the things you eat to how you smile with confidence. Don’t compromise the way you look and feel. Choose the Next Smile™ All-on-4® pioneers in Australia for a dental treatment that will truly change your life for the better. 

In a Nutshell

To ensure the best possible outcome of your procedure and ensure easy maintenance and cleaning, work with a qualified and specially trained dental surgeon to perform your treatment. Next Smile™ are the only Malo-trained professionals in Australia and perform the original, clinically-proven All-on-4® procedure. 

As part of our commitment to you, we provide you with the Gold Standard level of care you deserve. This includes a careful assessment of your individual needs and post-operative reviews and support whenever you need it.

Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns in regards to All-on-4®  and dental implant care and maintenance or schedule an appointment with your local Next Smile™ clinic.