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POSTED UNDER All-on-4 Dental Implants REVIEWS

All on 4.Melbourne Aus

ORIGINAL POST

Been seeing dentist quite a bit to improve my...

4luckyAustralia
WORTH IT$54,000
Been seeing dentist quite a bit to improve my smile.
Have had perio disease for years and have poor gums. Have had it treated a few years ago and have been chasing my tail with it.
My teeth have been moving and getting loose over the past few years, last 12 months especially.
Went to dentist re a loose tooth in front bottom and he tried cementing it, but it came loose again same day.
Told me it may be time to look at options.
Went to see denture guy and almost ran out. Dentures, hook on things, buts of plastic, metal and some silly snap on mouth guard thing that was $2500 per arch called Snap On Dentures or something.
Anyways, have been researching All on 4 online, on this site, and on YouTube.

Called the Malo clinic in Melbourne last Monday thinking they have an appointment free in December, turns out they had one free that Wednesday.
So off we went for a 2 hr drive to see Dr Larry Benge and his team.
After a chat had some 3D X-rays, another discussion, and then I decided that it was what I wanted to get done.
Had impressions and photographs that day and chose a color likeness.

So....I go in for surgery on Thursday.
It has all happened so fast.
I've been overwhelmed, daunted, scared, excited, exhausted. I am actually happy that it has been taken out of my hands and is getting done so fast.

At this stage I have surgery Thursday, with all teeth extracted and 4 implants in upper and 4 in lower jaw. I will be sleep und a general anesthesic.
I then stay in hotel and return the next day where teeth are installed.

I then have a soft diet for 3 months.
After 3 months I return and get permanent teeth put in.
The perms have a metal rod thing along bottom, that is hidden by gum stuff.
It looks very solid.
Been told the implants have a lifetime guarantee and teeth should last 7 years and cost around $800 to replace when they get worn out.

I think I have about 28 teeth to be extracted.

I'm so looking fwd to having my smile return and to be more confident, plus to be able to eat whatever I want.

Anyone have any thoughts or experience ?

I've been told recovery isnt too bad. Swelling on days 2-3 will be the worst.
It's expensive, but it will improve my life and improve my health.

4luckyAustralia's provider

Dr Larry Benge

Replies (41)

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November 2, 2015

Thanks for sharing your journey with us. I hope you find all the support you need in this community. Let us know how we can help!

November 2, 2015
As the day gets closer I'm jut getting spooked. Excited but thanks to this site I think I'm aware of what's ahead
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November 4, 2015
My mom had her whole mouth done 15 years ago said it was the best thing she ever did she is 85 now and eats everything , best advice is to go for cleaning 2 times a year and do a good job cleaning at home , wish you the best
November 4, 2015
Thanks !
November 5, 2015
When you had impressions done, did it loosen any of the loose teeth and did they come out?
November 5, 2015
No. It was fine. I was a bit worried that would happen, but it was all,ok.
November 6, 2015
I've had mine done in January of 2015. Had the remaining teeth pulled and had 4 implants on the bottom and 6 upper implants. Trust me it's a major thing. I was puffed and swollen for 4 days. Take the pain meds and you will be fine. I just went in this week for my final set of teeth. Best thing I've ever done. Soft foods are the toughest thing I had to endure. I loved steak and it was hard not to test them out, but I followed the rules. I also had bone graft on the upper set. You will love your new smile. Best wishes !!
November 6, 2015
Thank you ! It's been great so far. Day 1 after surgery here
November 6, 2015
My teeth go in in 3 days now. Lab was flat out and it was Friday afternoon when I tried wax teeth in. This weekend will be challenging with no teeth. I'm starting to swell, and keep dripping like a waterfall. Surprisingly I've had no pain. I had 25+ teeth extracted plus an impacted wisdom tooth and I have 8 implants on my dripping mouth.
Tuesday can't come quick enough
November 8, 2015
What did you eat as 'soft foods'. I've had tinned soup, some home made soup, soft scrambled eggs, some sorbet, and today for lunch will try tinned spaghetti (oops), kinda like alphabet tinned spaghetti. I'm thinking it may be easier to eat. I have no teeth until Tuesday, another 48hrs. It's definitely been a challenge. But I guess all this will make me stronger.
November 11, 2015
duffmie1 what was it like when you first but something? Was it scary ?
November 12, 2015
Yes, it's scary at first. But it's worth it. I ate the same type of foods, eggs, soup and lots of water to stay full.
November 12, 2015
Can you eat normal now ? Was it scary biting into a steak ?
November 10, 2015
54.000 ???????
Surely there's a zero too many?
November 10, 2015
I wish !
$49,000 for extraction and upper and lower all on four.
$5,000 for General anathesist.
I will get maybe $4,000 back from insurance for GA.
Day 1 with new teeth, I'm happy, but broke.
November 10, 2015
November 10, 2015
It was the path I chose to go down. I had talked to various dentists and met with a denture technician.
November 11, 2015
November 11, 2015
I think the amount you paid is ball park. Mexico India and other places are cheaper though but you did what was best for you. And I'm sure you feel and look great!! Congrats 4lucky!!
November 11, 2015
Thanks ! So far so good.
November 11, 2015
Lemme ask you, are these the temps you're wearing or the permanent teeth??
November 11, 2015
I actually need to get that cleared up. I was told prior to surgery that I would be fitted with temps. Then in 2 months they start working on perms, and they are fitted at 3 months. That way I can 'get used to them and make any changes etc...'

But when I was fitted 48hrs ago, I asked the lab guys how at ether different from the permanent ones , he said : 'these are your permanents ones...it went so well that these are the ones with the metal inside the gumline....these are your permanents...'

I will be seeing them next Tues and I need clarification.
As my gums heal and recede, there will be a gap that gets 'filled with gum stuff ' when treatment is finished.

I'm not sure if they were so busy that they just made mine perms, or whether it really is as good as it needs to be.
I will be asking the team next week.
November 18, 2015
They are permanent. But I was told this week that if I want any changes made they can be made for the 3 month appointment. They have the metal bar inside, and can easily be modified.
I'm actually quite happy with them so far.
Not sure if I will do any changes.
I'm not sure, but I think they add more pink gum to the bottom after 3 months once my gums have shrunk back a bit.
Also was told in case of a tooth breaking ( rare ) the lab will fit me in straight away in same day.
Teeth should last 4-7 years, maybe longer with care.
I wear a night splint at night, it so thin I don't even realise it's there
November 19, 2015
They look great. What can happen to the teeth after 4-7 years, do they crack or break? Does the dentist then screw in a new tooth? Have they told you cost of same thereafter? Does the gum stop receding after 3 month period?
November 19, 2015
They can wear down after time. Replacement cost is about $800 per arch I think. Dentist just screws the new ones in.
I'm not sure re gum receding. I don't think it can recede much as my gums were cut back quite a bit.
November 19, 2015
Thank you and good luck with it all!
November 20, 2015
What is the pink stuff they put in as your gums recede?? Do the crowns fit below the gum line so the crowns look like they're you're actual teeth or is it kinda like a snap on denture type??
November 20, 2015
They look like natural teeth, they add more 'pink gum' once it has all healed
March 2, 2018
Seems Peterr has a dirty keyboard maybe lol
UPDATED FROM 4luckyAustralia
1 day pre

some pics before

4luckyAustralia
its a bit daunting posting these. This is day before my surgery. Hopefully it all goes smooth. I'm excited and a bit spooked.

Replies (11)

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November 5, 2015
Best of luck with your surgery and new teeth. I am getting to the point of exploring this option as well but financially strapped. In California dental work is prohibitive, and I have gone to Mexico several times for work and to the Dominican Republic but they have been temporary fixes and perhaps going to my dream place, Australia, might be my final destination to get my mouth looking 'smileable' (sic) again. Would you mind sharing how much the whole extracting and all 4 process will end up costing over there? Blessings, Love and Besitos from Gina la Cubana
June 26, 2016
I had mine done a month ago I flew from New Zealand and had the all on four done in Melbourne. It cost me $45000 New Zealand all up which includes free cleaning and check ups for two years. So worth it I absolutely LOVE my teeth. Only I find it hard to clean them but that's the only negative I have. I have said this before on this site that I was lucky as I had saved the money but if I knew then what I know now and didn't have the money I would've mortgaged my house or had got a loan out. Best of luck
June 26, 2016
It's so worth it hey.
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November 5, 2015
Well, I'll bet you don't look like this anymore
November 5, 2015
Nope! I haven't really opens mouth. Just squirted a sustagn drink down my throat
November 5, 2015
Don't be spooked. Look ahead and just know you're gonna wind up having a gorgeous smile you can be proud of
November 5, 2015
Got out of surgery and recovery an hour or so ago. The team is so caring, nice and kind. Very professional.
November 5, 2015
Wow! That's great to hear! Glad you're being taken care of.
UPDATED FROM 4luckyAustralia
Day of treatment

Day after surgery

4luckyAustralia
Got about 4 hrs sleep. Was up icing every 20 mins all night .
No pain at all. Have not had a pain med at all.
Haven't really opened mouth to speak, typing on iPad to my wife which has been great.
Last night I used apple squeeze fruit drink bottle to squirt some warm soup down my throat. Worked a treat.
This morning I used my apple squeeze bottle to squeeze sustagen drink down throat and just squeezed a lukewarm coffee.
Got call to be at clinic at 12.30 for fitting.
Im thinking teeth not ready u til tmrw Sat. (It's a 1-3 day procedure)
I'm ok with that, I was in for a long time and doc said I had quite a bit of diseased gum and some bleeding.
Took me awhile to wake up. Was a bit groggy after GA.
Only issue really was feeling queasy just before I left clinic, was given anti nausea drug.
And a bit queasy last night when I stood up to go to bathroom.
Have not had a pain med yet, but clinic said to pop one just before heading in for fitting.
I was allowed a light mouthwash rinse after my sustagen drink breakfast, but I am dying to cough up some phlegm and have a spit.
They told me not to yet. Hopefully they can clear me out at 12.30.

I have no swelling yet, but I was up all night ice on, ice off every 20 mins. Have been told swelling is worse day 2 and 3, and I am on day one.
I hope fitting goes ok and is not too painful.

The staff have been fantastic to me 10/10.

Sorry, I ain't posting a pic. I'm sitting here with a bandage around my head for popping the ice packs in and out and I look like an idiot.

Replies (2)

December 8, 2015
Dying to see new pic!!
October 3, 2017
I am loving reading this, I want to do the same eventually and my mouth is similar to yours, I blame my parents for never getting me braces lol
Sounds so painful though :(