Author: Hunter OMS

It is common knowledge that removable dentures are no longer the technology of choice when it comes to teeth replacement, with some alternatives within now available for patients.

At Coast Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Centre located on the Sunshine Coast QLD, we offer the All-On-4™ treatment for our eligible patients seeking partial or full jaw tooth replacement.

All-On-4™ treatment is popular for patients who have been wearing dentures for a while and want a permanent solution for their missing teeth. All-On-4™ is also suitable for patients who don’t have enough jawbone density to support more than four singular dental implants.

Dentures and All-On-4: What’s the difference?

A common link with patients and dentures is a lack of confidence when speaking and eating as dentures can slip and fall out. With waning jawbone density becoming a frequent concern for our patients, we are passionate about providing patients with the option of All-On-4™ treatment.

The All-On-4™ treatment includes a design using four implants in the upper and lower jaw for toothless patients. The two implants towards the back of the mouth will be placed on a slight angle which then increases the implant to jawbone contact. This can increase the chance of implant success even if you do not have a lot of jawbones to work with.

Your prosthetic will then be fitted on top of your four dental implants – removing any awkward denture moments while eating or speaking.

Benefits of the All-On-4™ procedure

The All-On-4™ treatment is proven to have positive results:

• All-On-4™ are easy to clean, with just the usual brushing twice and flossing.
• No need to use any adhesive because the All-On-4 doesn’t require glueing – it is fixed permanently!
• Greater comfort as the All-On-4™ doesn’t press down on your gums
• Restores your natural facial features
• Enhance the feel and taste of your food in the mouth
• Up to 70% more bite pressure
• Prevention of further bone deterioration

Coast Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Centre will work with you toward finding the right treatment plan. Patients who have, over time, suffered from bone loss may require a bone graft technique to be prepared for the procedure.

With permanent same-day replacements for either upper or lower jawlines, it’s a wonder you didn’t invest in the All-On-4 sooner.

Book a consultation with Coast Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Centre on the Sunshine Coast, QLD to find out more about the All-On-4™ procedure.

If you have had your wisdom teeth removed then you have already undergone oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Oral and maxillofacial surgery (also known as OMS) encompasses any surgery pertaining to the jaw, mouth, gums and teeth. These surgeries are corrective, and often unable to be performed by your general dentist. At the Coast Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Centre our surgeons completed up to an additional six years’ worth of hospital-based surgical and anaesthesia training, so you can rest assured you are in safe hands.

What can oral and maxillofacial surgery correct?

OMS surgeries correct a wide variety of problems, including but not limited to:

• Dentoalveolar surgery: removal of impacted teeth, tooth extractions
• Reinsertion of teeth
• Insertion of bone fused dental implants
• All-on-4 surgery (also known as “teeth in a day”)
• TMJ dysfunction (temporomandibular joint dysfunction)

Why should I remove my wisdom teeth?

Wisdom teeth extraction can prevent your teeth from erupting incorrectly, causing pain and discomfort. Frequently wisdom teeth will grow sideways, only partially emerge from the gum, or fail to emerge at all; remaining trapped beneath the gum and bone (known as impaction). Impacted or poorly positioned teeth can cause pain and issues such as infection and illness.

More information on wisdom teeth removal can be found here.

When can my tooth be reinserted and what are dental implants?

If your tooth has been knocked out in one piece, sometimes the tooth can be reinserted. It’s recommended you pick the tooth up by the crown only (touching the root will damage it, if possible clean the tooth with saliva before transporting it in a mild salt water solution or milk. The sooner your dentist can perform the reinsertion, the better the chance of survival for your tooth.

If your tooth can’t be reinserted into its socket, implants may be suggested. Implants are small titanium screws which insert directly into your jaw bone where your tooth was lost. Over three to six months the screw will fuse to the bone, creating a strong and functional “root” to support a dental crown, removable denture, or similar.

For more information view our dental implant page.

What is All-On-4 surgery?

The all-on-4 procedure (or “teeth in a day”) is an effective option for treating total or partial tooth loss, and involves the placement of a prosthesis for the upper or lower dental arches, anchored by four dental implants.

Further information can be found on our All-on-4 page.

What is TMJ dysfunction?

TMJ dysfunction affects the temporomandibular joint (located just in front of the ears), and could be the cause of your chronic headaches and jaw pain. If you suffer one or more of the following, you could suffer TMJ dysfunction:

• Grinding/clenching of teeth
• Sore, stiff jaw muscles upon waking up
• Frequent head and neck aches
• Pain when opening the mouth or chewing

For more information on TMJ dysfunction, visit our page here.

What is oral and maxillofacial surgery and how can it benefit me? From Coast OMS

At Coast Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Centre we are dedicated to providing our patients with as much knowledge as we can while providing exceptional care. If any of these treatments sound like they may benefit you, contact us today on 1800 623 338 to arrange a consultation.

Dental implants are known throughout the world as a revolutionary technique to replace teeth. They are made out of strong, durable materials and are the first tooth replacement method that is known to last a life time if taken care of properly.

Find out what dental implants are, what they do, the success rates of dental implants and why a bone graft could be needed with Coast Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Centre in on the Sunshine Coast

What are dental implants and why are they used?

Dental implants are permanent replacement for teeth. They are made up of 3 main components:

1. Firstly there is the titanium tooth root replacement. This is the implant that gives the treatment its name. The implant is scientifically fabricated out of bio-compatible materials so that it will not be rejected by the body like other foreign substances. Through the process of osseointegration, the dental implant sets into the jaw bone.
2. Where the dental implant replaces the tooth root, the dental crown replaces the tooth’s crown. Basically, the dental crown is the part of the tooth that replicates the visible part of the tooth. Crowns are made from strong porcelain materials and are colour graded and shaped to fit in perfectly with your natural teeth.
3. The abutment is a small titanium piece that is attached to the dental implant. This part connects the dental implant to the dental crown.

Why should you replace your teeth with dental implants?

Replacing your teeth is important not only for your appearance but for your overall oral health. Missing teeth can cause a lot of other concerns for the patient.

What happens when you don’t replace your teeth?

Leaving gaps in your smile can lead to one or more of the following issues:

• Your other teeth may try to fill the gaps causing misalignment with teeth and bite
• The gums may become infected, leading to periodontitis and further tooth loss
• Jaw bone and gums can recede causing premature aging of your appearance
• Your appearance may be affected, which can lead to self-esteem concerns

What is the success rate of dental implants?

The success of your dental implants is subjective to a number of different variables. Factors like gum health, bone density, lifestyle habits and oral hygiene practices may play a part in the success of your dental implants.

Although more research is needed for conclusive evidence of the success rate of dental implants, in optimal conditions and when the procedure is carried out by a professional surgeon, dental implants are known to have a 97% chance of success.

Why do some people need bone grafts for dental implants?

If the patent has suffered from loss of bone density or the patient naturally has not a lot of bone, a bone graft may be necessary to give the patient sufficient jaw bone to support one or more dental implants.

Why you should choose oral and maxillofacial surgeons for your dental implant treatments

An oral and maxillofacial surgeon is highly qualified to perform surgical processes that involve teeth, gums and jaws. Our surgeons at Coast Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery are talented and experienced in the oral surgical field. Our expertise ranges from wisdom teeth removal, corrective jaw surgery, oral cancer management, TMJ disorder resolution, bone grafting and of course dental implant treatments including single tooth replacement, multiple tooth replacement and the All-on-4 dental implant technique.

For more information or to book a consultation, contact our friendly team at Coast Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery