If you’re looking to restore your smile, you may have been struggling to get a straight answer on how much All on 4 dental implants cost.
Maybe you’ve searched ‘All on 4 dental implants cost Australia’ time and time again, and keep seeing prices that are thousands of dollars apart. Trying to understand the cost of all on 4 dental implants could even be causing you as much stress as missing teeth. And that’s saying something!
But what if you could find out exactly what affects All-on-4 cost? The good news is you can. This article reveals the five factors that influence what you pay. So you can make a meaningful comparison between the quotes you see online.
Read on to find out the five factors that determine All-on-4 prices.
But before we begin, some quick notes.
There is no simple answer to this question. The truth is it’s hard to find out how much all on four dental implants cost because it's a complex treatment. It’s not a ‘one size fits all’ solution.
For starters, even the name ‘all on four’ can cause confusion, because some patients need six implants - not four - for best results. So no dentist can tell you exactly how much your treatment will cost without doing a full clinical analysis of your smile. (Remember - you can book your free analysis here, or download our price guide)
Broadly, five factors affect what you pay. They are:
Within those five factors, there are several variables as you will see below. This article is here to help you understand them so you can make an informed choice.
All-on-4 treatment comprises bridges and implants. Both of these elements can vary greatly in price and in quality.
The implants - the part that is placed into your jaw bone - can vary in quality, price and number. At Dental Implants on Miller in Sydney we do not cut corners. We choose to use only premium titanium implants.
The components required for All on 4 are extremely specialised. That’s why our brand of choice is Nobel Biocare. Over seven decades, Nobel Biocare has been a pioneer in dental implant technology and a world leader in research. It's possible to reduce costs by using cheaper or newer brands without Nobel’s impressive history of implantology leadership and expertise. But for our patients, we want the most reliable. That’s why we only provide All-on-4 using Nobel’s intensively researched, extensively tested and firmly established products.
Additionally, tooth bridges are classed as ‘custom medical devices’ by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. This means tooth bridges from overseas suppliers are not subject to Australian regulations. Their products don’t necessarily comply with Australia’s high standards. When you choose locally-manufactured bridges, you are choosing exceptionally high standards of manufacture and regulation. And you are choosing local, personalised service during your treatment.
Dr Adamo works closely with a team of expert technicians to get the best result for you. That means you can feel confident your bridges are made to last. With premium products, you can always reach out if life happens and they are damaged down the track.
The bottom line is, while premium implants and bridges can be more expensive, they are generally a better, safer investment.
There are two main All-on-4 options: a one-bridge treatment process, or a two-bridge treatment process. The cost difference between them is significant. Read on to find out why.
But first to clarify: ‘two bridges’ doesn’t mean you’re having both your upper and lower jaws restored. It refers to a second bridge that’s fitted after the 3-6 month healing period following implant placement. It’s important to understand how these options work when comparing the cost of all on four dental implants.
Just as the name suggests, one-bridge treatment means you only get one bridge. A full arch of teeth is fitted 1-3 days after your implant placement, and that’s the end of the story.
That is convenient in the short term, but there is a huge drawback: your bridge will never be customised to fit after your jaw has healed around your implants. Your gums and bone will remodel over the course of 3-6 months, but your bridge will stay the same. That means food may get caught in places, or fluid and air movement could make speaking more difficult. But that discomfort is unnecessary and avoidable. Read on to find out how.
Two-bridge options avoid unnecessary discomfort by including a second bridge that is fitted 3-6 months after implant placement. It is crafted to compensate for the way your jaw has changed during healing. It is a huge advantage to have a second bridge finessed and crafted for a perfect fit after the natural remodelling process. But if you see cheaper All-on-4 around, it’s likely only one bridge is included in the price.
At Dental Implants on Miller, the ELEMENTS package is a one-bridge solution available to all patients. Crafted with quality Ivoclar Phonares teeth on a metal-reinforced acrylic bridge, it’s priced from $19,500 (excluding sedation). ELEMENTS is a great start to your All-on-4 journey. And it’s easy to upgrade whenever you’re ready. But it may not be a permanent solution. Read on to learn about long-term, two-bridge options.
Dental Implants on Miller’s ‘two bridge’ All-on-4 treatment packages, VITALITY and PRESTIGE both include an ELEMENTS acrylic tooth bridge, described above. After your implant placement, the ELEMENTS bridge is fitted to provide convenience and comfort in the short term.
But the VITALITY and PRESTIGE packages include second bridges, fitted after 3-6 months to take into account any changes that occurred during healing. Even better, your second bridge is built around a computer-designed and milled titanium sub-structure based on a 3D scan of your jaw. Your second bridge is thinner, stronger and longer lasting than the initial one. And it is perfectly customised to give you a more natural-looking, supremely comfortable result.
And the titanium foundation means your gums are in contact with polished metal, which is great for gum health.
The set of teeth in your second bridge can be constructed from acrylic or zirconia. Acrylic is cost-effective and looks a lot like natural teeth. But zirconia is more durable, aesthetic and customisable.
The ELEMENTS bridge starts at $19,500 excluding sedation. And you can choose between two upgrade options: VITALITY, and PRESTIGE.
ELEMENTS + VITALITY
For an additional $12,000, VITALITY offers a second bridge with a computer-designed and milled titanium substructure, and quality acrylic replacement teeth.
ELEMENTS + PRESTIGE
For an additional $14,000, PRESTIGE offers a milled titanium second bridge and the added beauty and durability of bespoke zirconia replacement teeth.
Zirconia is a premium material. In expert hands, zirconia replacement teeth can be crafted to look so authentic, only the wearer knows they’re man-made. And on top of that, zirconia is simply beautiful. Nothing beats it for aesthetics. Finally, it is extremely long-lasting. So although it’s more expensive than acrylic, with proper care it won’t need replacing decades to come.
When you choose the PRESTIGE package at Dental Implants On Miller, your zirconia replacement teeth are expertly crafted by local technicians. The shape and shade of each replacement tooth is carefully finessed by the laboratory in close collaboration with Dr. Adamo. The result is a perfect, predictable outcome for you that is well worth the investment.
For a breakdown of everything that’s included in the ELEMENTS, VITALITY and PRESTIGE packages, you can download our price guide with one click here. Or keep reading to discover three more factors that affect All-on-4 cost.
As in every industry, dental implant technology and techniques are continually advancing and improving. But it costs clinics money to stay up to date. Dental machinery is extremely expensive, and so are continued professional development courses.
So some dental surgeries choose to save money and stick with older machines. Or they might skip courses in improved implant placement methods. Others increase profit margins by not providing proper sedation facilities.
All of these factors affect the overall cost of All-on-4 treatment. Clinics that skimp on these costs might appear to pass the savings on to their patients with a competitive price. But you, the patient will ultimately pay a higher price if the result is uncomfortable, or needs re-doing later.
That is where Dental Implants On Miller is different.
Because we are a purpose-built All-on-4 clinic from top to bottom, we stay absolutely up to date. We invest in ongoing training and equipment upgrades to ensure you get great results, always.
Our state-of-the-art 3D scanning and computer-designed milling produces precisely-moulded, streamlined bridges that fit beautifully. In contrast, earlier milling machines don’t work with computer scans. The outcome is less precise and can be bulky, causing long-term discomfort.
Dental implant surgery can be daunting, but with the latest technologies, it really doesn’t have to be uncomfortable or stressful. We are 100% committed to ensuring you feel completely relaxed. We offer sleep dentistry at competitive rates and dedicated sedation recovery rooms.
Surgeries that don’t make comfort a priority may be able to offer All on 4 at a more competitive price. But decades of experience have taught us that for patients, a relaxing, stress-free experience is priceless.
Finally, we offer a range of supporting treatments, like Platelet-Rich Plasma therapy, to speed your healing process. We do this because our primary focus is giving you the best experience possible, not cutting corners to offer lower prices.
You might be surprised to learn that dentists don’t have to complete special training to perform dental implant surgery. Any general dentist is qualified to do it as soon as they finish their basic degree.
But there is no substitute for years of experience. It’s a bit like driving a car. You’re certainly a better driver at 50 than you were at 18 - even if you didn’t think so at the time!
Additionally, dentists can choose to undertake three years of extra training in dental implant procedures. Dr. Adamo at Dental Implants on Miller has done this because restoring smiles is his passion. He has completed a Graduate Diploma in Clinical Dentistry (Oral Implants) at the University of Sydney, one of the nation’s most rigorous and prestigious dental education providers.
Of course, this kind of specialised medical training is not cheap. So dentists who haven’t invested in it may perhaps advertise lower All on 4 prices. And inexperienced dentists sometimes offer their services for less in recognition of the fact the outcome may not be perfect. The same goes for prosthetists and technicians who craft All-on-4 bridges.
But as a patient, it’s important to take experience and training into account. Implant surgery is a delicate procedure. And the stakes are high.
Having it done by a relatively inexperienced and untrained dentist is like getting into a racing car with a driver who recently got their license. They may be full of confidence, and on paper, they are qualified to drive. But you may not enjoy the experience. And you know with a trained and experienced racer, there is much less chance of a crash.
It’s the same for dental implants. Dr. Adamo has over 20 years of experience and has performed thousands of All-on-4 procedures. He knows exactly at which points in your treatment you might need extra support. And he has refined and honed his technique for the greatest comfort, and the best results. Further, Dr. Adamo works only with highly experienced and skilled prosthetic technicians. This is not the case at every surgery, and it is sometimes reflected in price.
But factoring in experience over price is just like choosing a seasoned racing car driver instead of a rookie. You can have more confidence you’ll reach your destination, and you’ll probably even enjoy the ride.
The final factor in the cost of All-on-4 is your dental health.
All-on-4 needs good bone density and gum health to be successful. But this does not mean that if you have bone loss or gum disease, you are not eligible for All on 4 or All on 6. It just means that some supplementary treatments will be necessary before your dental implants can be placed.
This is a major factor in cost. And it can easily result in a misleading answer to the question ‘all on 4 or all on 6 dental implants cost Australia’.
That’s because if you are interested in all on four or all on six treatment, you may have been missing teeth for a while. Which means it is possible you have bone loss, or gum disease, or both.
This is a key factor to consider when looking at prices quoted online. Bone grafting and gum disease treatment planning will always add to dental implant treatment costs. And there is no way of knowing whether you require these treatments until after initial consultations.
In fact, the best way to get a complete picture of what All-on-4 treatment might cost for you is to see an experienced dentist who has extra training in implant placement. You can book a complimentary consultation with Dr. Adamo right now by clicking here, or you can download an All-on-4 price guide here.
In the meantime, thanks for reading all the way to the end of this article. You should always feel free to seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner if you’re in doubt.
And the Dental Implants On Miller team is always happy to answer any questions if you’d like to give us a call on (02) 9000 1904. Or send us an email anytime by clicking here.
We hope this article has been helpful, and that we can soon assist you on your journey to happiness and a brilliant smile.
.png){kind=logo}
