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If you’re struggling with badly damaged or decayed teeth or looking for an alternative to dentures, All-on-4® dental implants are a fixed option for replacing a full arch of teeth. But are they worth the cost?

To help you decide if All-on-4® implants might be right for you, read this overview of All-on-4® prices in Perth and Australia, including:

  • How much the treatment costs on average
  • What’s included and not included in advertised prices
  • What financial support may be available

At Kelmscott Dental, our All-on-4® prices start from $21,000 per arch or $40,000 for both arches of teeth. To find out if All-on-4® treatment is right for you, or to explore other options to replace most or all of your teeth, get in touch with our team in Kelmscott today.

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Average All-on-4® cost in Australia

The average cost of All-on-4® dental implants in Australia ranges from $23,045–$41,568, according to data from the Australian Dental Association (ADA) and Health Industry Claims and Payments Service (HICAPS). This generally includes the cost of the dental implants and abutments, implant surgery, x-rays and the initial All-on-4® teeth. It won’t necessarily include sedation costs, anaesthetist and hospital fees or ongoing bridge maintenance and repairs.

Treatment prices can vary for many reasons, including:

  • Number and type of implants: Some people need more than 4 implants to support an arch, or may need longer implants if they have poor jaw bone quality.
  • Dentist’s expertise: Specialist dentists have extra training and qualifications in providing All-on-4® treatment, so their fees are often higher than those of a general dentist.
  • Quality of bridge materials: After surgery, the first bridge your dentist fits may be temporary and not one you are able to wear after the first year of surgery. This initial All-on-4® bridge may be made from:
    • 100% acrylic
    • Acrylic reinforced with a cast metal frame
    • Acrylic reinforced with a titanium frame

Each material differs in strength, cost, and longevity.

  • Additional procedures: Preliminary gum treatment, tooth extractions, specific scans, bone grafting or gum grafting, sedation, anaesthetist and hospital fees and medication add to the overall cost.
  • Location: Dental costs vary by region. Based on a sample of 25 dental clinics across Australia, the price of All-on-4® treatment in Perth is roughly $3,000–$5,000 lower than the East coast of Australia.

Our All-on-4® prices at Kelmscott Dental

Our All-on-4® packages at Kelmscott Dental start from $21,000 per arch or $40,000 for both arches. We’re transparent about All-on-4® prices and will detail exactly what’s included and what’s additional when we present your personal treatment plan.

About All-on-4® dental implants:

  • Genuine Nobel Biocare dental implants: Studies have reported implant-related success rates of up to 98% for Nobel Biocare implants in the lower jaw for 245 patients over a 5-year period and up to 94% over a 10-year period. Similar success rates were documented for the upper jaw*
  • Single-stage approach: Some clinicians use a two-bridge protocol, fitting you with a temporary bridge after surgery and then replacing that bridge with a more permanent one 6 to 12 months after your mouth has healed. At Kelmscott Dental, we place a durable titanium-acrylic bridge within 1 to 3 days of your surgery that may last 2–5 years on average or longer with proper care. This avoids the extra cost of having to replace your first bridge with another one in the first year of your surgery.
  • Comprehensive aftercare: Your All-on-4® journey isn’t over once your new teeth are fitted. Your treatment plan includes an aftercare kit and three follow-up visits (at 4 weeks, 3 months and 6 months) with your dentist to check your progress and help you adjust to speaking and eating with your new teeth.

To book a consultation or discuss your teeth replacement options with our dentists, call us today on (08) 9495 7999 or book online.

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*Malo P, de Araújo Nobre M, Lopes A, Moss SM, Molina GJ. A longitudinal study of the survival of All-on-4® implants in the mandible with up to 10 years of follow-up. J Am Dent Assoc 2011;142:310-204

Inclusions

Our All-on-4® treatment cost is inclusive of:

  • 4 Nobel Biocare (Nobel Parallel CC) titanium dental implants and Nobel Ti Ultra™ abutments per jaw
  • Implant surgery using the All-on-4® treatment protocol
  • Digitally milled titanium-reinforced acrylic bridge placed within 5 days of surgery
  • Clinical radiographs (excluding 3D CBCT scan of $226)
  • Waterpik® water flosser to help you clean under your All-on-4® bridge
  • 6 months of follow-up appointments with our dentists
  • 5-year warranty on implants and titanium bar
  • 2-year warranty on acrylic bridge

There may be additional costs if you need pre-surgery treatment (such as periodontal treatment to bring gums back to health), additional implants or longer implants placed in the jaw.

Exclusions

Additional costs include:

  • Initial consultation with the dentist – $85
  • 3D CBCT bone scan to assess your jaw – $226
  • Protective night guard for teeth grinding (only if prescribed) – $520
  • Anaesthetist and hospital fees – Variable, depending on the sedation chosen (IV sedation in chair or general anaesthesia in hospital)
  • Additional procedures if needed, such as extractions, bone grafting or gum grafting – Variable
  • Ongoing repairs, replacements and maintenance costs

If your private health insurance includes dental cover and hospital cover, some of these costs may be covered by your health fund. Our team can help you to find out what you’re eligible to claim for.

Maintenance costs

As well as your treatment cost, you should consider the long-term maintenance costs involved in maintaining new teeth. All-on-4® implants are maintained differently to dentures, as they remain fixed in place and are cleaned similarly to natural teeth. It is also important to keep up with your regular dental visits every 6-12 months, so your dentist can check your teeth and gums and help you avoid problems like gum disease. We also recommend a routine CBCT scan to assess your jaw and implants every 1–2 years.

Replacement bridge

Titanium implants are designed to be long-lasting, though their lifespan depends on factors such as oral health and lifestyle habits. It’s entirely possible for titanium implants to last a lifetime. However, you may need to replace your bridge after a number of years, due to damage or normal wear and tear. When it’s time to replace a bridge, your options will include:

  • Remodelling your titanium-acrylic bridge – from $5,500
  • New titanium-reinforced acrylic bridge – from $8,500
  • Monolithic zirconia bridge – from $9,500
  • Porcelain-layered zirconia bridge – from $10,000

A titanium-acrylic bridge can typically last 2–5 years on average, while a titanium-reinforced zirconia bridge can last 10–15 years or longer with proper care. If your bridge only has minor damage, our dental technician may be able to repair it on the same day rather than having to replace it entirely.

Advantages of All-on-4® implants

If you’re considering replacing all of your upper or lower teeth, All-on-4® dental implants offer a number of benefits over other full-mouth implant systems and dentures that could make them worth the cost.

Function

One research study suggests that full mouth dental implants provide greater chewing efficiency (90%) than dentures (10-30%), though outcomes vary between individuals.* If you’re not suitable for conventional dental implant treatment, due to having a small or weak jaw, you may still be a candidate for All-on-4® treatment because of the unique way the implants are placed in the jaw. Two implants are placed at the front of the mouth and two implants are placed on a 45-degree angle into the back of the mouth carefully avoiding sinuses, nerves and maximising available jaw bone for optimal support.

*van der Bilt A. Human oral function: a review. Braz J Oral Sci. 2002;1(1):7–18.

Aesthetics

A high-quality All-on-4® bridge is designed to look and function like real teeth. Once attached, your bridge is highly unlikely to shift or warp, and can take little time to adjust to speaking and eating with implants.

Convenience

All-on-4® dental implants are an alternative to traditional full mouth implants or removable dentures. As this approach uses fewer implants, the procedure typically involves less surgery and a shorter recovery period. Unlike removable dentures that need to be taken out each night, an All-on-4® bridge is fixed in place and cleaned much like natural teeth, which some patients may find more convenient for everyday care.

Longevity

Titanium implants are designed to be long-lasting and it’s entirely possible that with proper care they can last a lifetime. The teeth attached to the implants will need to be replaced after a number of years depending on the material they are made from. A zirconia bridge or titanium-reinforced bridge will usually last longer than acrylic dentures.

Risks and possible disadvantages of All-on-4® treatment

While All-on-4® implants have many advantages, they aren’t the right choice for everyone. Some reasons why you may choose another treatment solution could include:

  • Overall Cost: The cost of a full mouth dental implant bridge is higher than conventional dentures, as are long-term maintenance and repair costs.
  • Suitability: The All-on-4® surgical protocol allows more people to receive implant treatment compared to conventional full mouth dental implants. However, they may not be an option if you have advanced gum disease, significant bone loss or a lifestyle (such as smoking) or medical condition (uncontrolled diabetes, osteoporosis) that affects healing. In these situations, dentures may be recommended by your dentist instead.
  • Involves surgery: Placing implants involves a surgical procedure and associated surgical risks. These risks are explained during the informed consent process prior to committing to surgery and may include:
    • Temporary pain, swelling, or bruising post-surgery
    • Infection
    • Nerve damage (rare)
    • Sinus complications (a known risk with upper arch implants)
    • Implant failure
    • Damage to surrounding teeth or tissues
    • Prolonged healing time in some patients

These risks will be minimal when the procedure is performed by an experienced clinician and you follow their post-operative advice during your recovery.

Finance for All-on-4® treatment

At Kelmscott Dental, we work with a number of third-party financial providers who offer payment plan and loan options that may be used for treatments such as All-on-4®. If you are interested, your dentist can discuss available finance options with you during your consultation, including payment plans, dental loans and early superannuation release (subject to eligibility).

Payment plans and loans

Some patients choose to pay for their treatment in instalments rather than as a single payment. We partner with providers such as Zip, Afterpay and Pretty Penny Finance, who offer various payment plan and loan options. The specific terms, including interest-free periods and eligibility, are determined by each provider.

Early superannuation release

In some circumstances, patients may be able to apply for early release of superannuation funds on compassionate grounds to help cover treatment costs. Early super release is a last-report option for patients who have no other means to pay for dental treatment. We work with Super Health Ensemble, who can assist with the application process. We recommend speaking to a financial advisor to discuss your options.

Find out more

 

Are All-on-4® implants right for me?

To find out more about All-on-4® treatment at Kelmscott Dental and decide whether it’s the right choice for you, book a consultation with our dentists today. We’ll explain what the process involves and break down the costs and payment options so you can make a fully informed decision about your treatment.

Call us now on (08) 9495 7999 to speak to our friendly team or book online. We welcome patients from all local suburbs, including Armadale and Gosnells.

Book now

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner. Dental implants may not be suitable for everyone and results can vary between individuals.

References

  1. Malo P, de Araújo Nobre M, Lopes A, Moss SM, Molina GJ. A longitudinal study of the survival of All-on-4® implants in the mandible with up to 10 years of follow-up. J Am Dent Assoc 2011;142:310-204