All on Four Reviews and Patient Satisfaction Studies
When planned and performed by an experienced dentist, All on 4 is one of the most successful dental procedures available — and there are many clinical studies on both the short- and long-term outcomes to support this.
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
While these clinical studies don’t offer first-hand reviews of the All-on-4 treatment, they do provide a broad snapshot of how successful this treatment has been for many patients in the past.
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 teeth and the natural, individual smiles the dentist has created.
Some dental practices may also provide patient case studies 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.
How much training has your potential All on 4 Surgeon had?
The success and longevity of All on 4 hinges on the experience and training of your dentist.
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.
All that being said, you may be surprised to learn that there is no official qualification for performing dental implants or All on 4 treatment. This means that a dentist’s level of All on 4 expertise can vary from a weekend course to years of study.
Well qualified dentists will list their training, education and qualifications on their website. If they don’t, don’t be afraid to ask them about their training and proven track record with the All on 4 procedure. To help you, we have a list of essential questions to ask your potential All on 4 dentist below.
Another good indicator is if the dental professional accepts All on 4 procedure referrals from other dentists.
Here’s the bottom line: It requires an enormous amount of technical skill and artistry to properly plan and place implants and achieve a beautiful, natural-looking result with All on 4. To ensure the best outcomes, look for a provider who has invested in years of additional training to perform this procedure.
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 article on the topic 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. Get our comprehensive All on 4 guide below which provides a complete checklist of questions 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?
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Trust your instincts when choosing your All on 4 provider
For a great experience and outcome with All on 4, you must 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, the staff should be able to talk you through the process and make you feel at ease.
At Macquarie Street Dental, we offer a free consultation for potential All on 4 patients. During this 30-minute appointment, you can sit down with us to discuss your questions and concerns, and find out if this treatment is suitable for you.
Remember, this is your decision so ask all the questions you need. Never feel pressured into accepting treatment until all of your questions have been answered.
Here at Macquarie Street Dental, we’ve been performing the All on 4 treatment in Sydney for over 20 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, don’t hesitate to contact us on 02 9247 1394 or book your FREE consultation online.