All on Four Reviews and Patient Satisfaction Studies
The first All on 4 procedure was performed in 1998 and since then there have been many studies on dental implants supporting a success rate of 95-97%.
One study published in 2012 focused on patient satisfaction with the All on 4 procedure. Patients answered questions about comfort, function, speech, social image, social inhibitions, psychological discomfort, and disabilities.
95% of these patients described themselves as extremely satisfied or satisfied with their new teeth. 98% would recommend similar treatment.
Babbush CA. Posttreatment quantification of patient experiences with full-arch implant treatment using a modification of the OHIP-14 questionnaire
Past All on 4 Patients
Some dental practices may offer the opportunity to speak to past All on 4 patients. This is a great sign and shows how confident the dentist is with their work.
Talking to someone who has walked a mile in your shoes is helpful in the decision-making process.
The willingness of previous patients to help other potential patients also reveals a lot about the dentist. It’s worth asking if this is an option the surgery provides.
All on 4 Before and after photos
Legally in Australia, dentists can't post All on Four reviews on their websites. They can, however, post All on Four before and after photos in a gallery. These should become an essential part of your research. Ensure the surgeon you choose has lots of All on 4 photos of their own patients.
Here are some things you can look out for in these All on 4 before and after pics:
- Professionally shot
- Close-up pictures
- After pictures of the final outcome in the patient's mouth (i.e. not outside the mouth)
Check out their pictures and see if you like the look of their and the natural, individual smiles they have created.
Some dental practices may provide patient cases you can review. Patients may be reluctant to share their All on Four dental implants pictures online but they may allow the dentist to share photos with prospective patients privately.
Other All on 4 Considerations
There are many considerations when deciding on All on 4. Navigating the dental jargon and sales process alone can be overwhelming.
We'll discuss key considerations below and delve deeper into these in our All on 4 Guide. You can download the guide here.
How much training has your potential All on 4 Surgeon had?
The procedure for All on 4 isn't taught at dental school. To perform this particular treatment, dentists need specific training in placing dental implants.
Then, even more, specialised training on the All on 4 procedure is required.
There's no official qualification for performing an All on 4 treatment. We have a list of questions to ask your potential All on 4 dentist below.
Well qualified dentists will list their training, education and qualifications on their website.
Another good indicator is if the dental professional accepts All on 4 procedure referrals from other dentists.
Cost of All on 4 Sydney
The cost for All on 4 will vary among different dental professionals. Most surgeries offer All on 4 payment plans for your procedure. We explain more about costs and why they vary in our 3-part series you can read about here.
Be wary of those who focus on cost or on being the cheapest. Cutting costs may also mean cutting corners. This can lead to other potential All on 4 problems such as:
- Teeth that look ugly and unnatural
- Implant failure
- Poorly placed implants
- Broken teeth
- Infection
- Implants and teeth that are extremely difficult to clean leading to potential infection/implant failure
You can read further on All on four problems in our article.
The All on 4 procedure is one of the most successful treatments available in dentistry. A high success rate is dependant on the experience of the dental professional and their careful planning and assessment for your treatment. The ability of the dentist to follow the exact All on 4 procedure also impacts the success rate.
Questions to ask your Dentist
Before you decide on your All on 4 dentist, ask questions to help assess their experience and suitability.
We also suggest that you always get more than one opinion.
Below are three fundamental questions to ask your potential All on 4 dentist. Our comprehensive All on 4 guide provides a 12-step questionnaire to help you find the right dentist.
- What’s the longest patient follow-up and all on four reviews they have? (This is even more important than quantity of cases performed. You'll want to assess the long-term outcomes.)
- How many All-on-4 procedures has the clinician completed?
- What training did they undertake?
Trust your instincts
Be comfortable with your choice. Call the surgery to chat first and ensure they're knowledgeable, friendly and not trying to do a ‘hard sell’.
If they perform a lot of All on 4 procedures, staff should be able to talk you through the process and make you feel at ease.
Some practices offer free pre-consultations on the phone before you make an appointment.
Remember, this is your decision so ask all the questions you need. Never feel pressured into an accepting treatment until all of your questions have been answered.
Here at Macquarie Street Dental Centre, we’ve been performing the All on 4 treatment in Sydney for 14 years. We’ve successfully helped many patients to eat, smile and talk confidently again.
If you think All on 4 may be for you or if you have any questions, we offer a free suitability consultation over the phone. Don’t hesitate to contact us to talk to our friendly, experienced team on 02 9247 1394.
