Everything You Need to Know About All-on-4 Dental Implants

Missing teeth don’t just affect your appearance; they can also impact your ability to eat, speak, and maintain good oral health. If you’ve lost multiple teeth or are facing tooth loss, you might be exploring options for a lasting solution. One highly effective treatment is the All-on-4 dental implants, a type of All-on-X procedure that restores a full arch of teeth using just four strategically placed implants.

The All-on-X treatment is a cost-effective solution for patients missing most or all of their teeth, offering a complete full-arch restoration. It provides a safe and reliable outcome, allowing you to leave the clinic with a fixed set of teeth on the same day as your surgery.

The "X" in All-on-X represents the number of implants used, which can range from as few as four to as many as ten. For example, the All-on-4 approach means an entire arch of teeth is supported by just four implants, strategically placed according to your specific jawbone structure and needs.

It’s important to note that every patient is unique and some patients may require more than four implants to achieve the best possible treatment outcomes, ensuring greater stability and long-term success.

The All-on-4 treatment concept is designed for individuals in need of a full upper or lower arch restoration. Rather than requiring an individual implant for each missing tooth, the All-on-4 procedure uses just four implants per arch. These implants are placed at precise angles to maximize the available bone, often eliminating the need for bone grafting.

This procedure involves two straight implants at the front of the jaw and two angled implants at the back. This configuration provides enhanced stability and support for a full arch of prosthetic teeth.

SEE ALSO: Can dental implants last a lifetime?

While All-on-4 is a highly versatile treatment, it may not be suitable for everyone. Ideal candidates are individuals who:

• Have lost multiple teeth or are in need of full-arch replacement
• Have sufficient bone density to support the implants, though the angled placement often avoids the need for bone grafting
• Are in good general health without medical conditions that could impair healing
• Are looking for a long-term solution to replace dentures or failing teeth

If you want to know whether All-on-4 is right for you, a complimentary consultation with our team will help determine the best treatment plan for your needs.

One of the major advantages of All-on-4 and all other types of All-on-X treatments is speed. Here at SameDay, the entire process can be completed in a single day. After a thorough consultation and treatment planning, the extraction (if needed) and the actual surgery to place the implants take just a few hours. You will leave the clinic with a beautiful temporary set of fixed teeth the same day. After 7 days, you’ll return for your final, permanent set of prosthetic all-Zirconia teeth.

The procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia, so you won’t feel pain during the implant placement. Patients have the option to get their treatment done under general anesthesia in a hospital setting for added comfort. After the procedure, it's common to experience mild discomfort or swelling, similar to other dental surgeries. However, most patients report that the recovery is manageable with over-the-counter pain relief.

The success of All-on-4 dental implants is largely attributed to meticulous surgical technique and precise implant planning. With advancements in technology and expertise, All-on-4 offers a remarkable success rate of over 98%. This procedure is designed to provide long-term stability and functionality, ensuring patients can enjoy a full, healthy smile for years to come.

Proper aftercare, regular dental check-ups, and professional maintenance further contribute to the lasting success of All-on-4, making it a reliable choice for full-arch restoration.

SEE ALSO: Everything You Need to Know About Zygomatic Implants

With proper care, All-on-4 implants can last for decades. The prosthetic teeth may need to be replaced after 10 to 15 years due to wear, but the implants themselves are designed to be permanent. Maintaining good oral hygiene and attending regular dental checkups are key to ensuring their longevity.

Yes, one of the major benefits of All-on-4 implants is that you can eat and drink normally after the procedure. While you may need to stick to a soft food diet during the initial healing phase, once the implants have fully integrated with your jawbone, you’ll be able to enjoy all of your favorite foods without worrying about the stability of your teeth.

Absolutely! All-on-4 implants provide a natural-looking, secure smile, allowing you to smile, laugh, and speak with confidence. The implants are anchored firmly in the jawbone, ensuring that your new teeth will not shift or slip.

In most cases, bone grafting is not necessary for All-on-4 implants. The angled placement of the implants allows us to maximize contact with the existing bone, even in areas with some bone loss. This is a significant advantage over traditional implant methods, which often require bone grafting to ensure sufficient support for the implants.

The cost of All-on-4 implants can vary depending on several factors, including the complexity of the case and the materials used for the prosthetic teeth.

However, All-on-4 is generally more cost-effective than traditional implant methods, as it uses fewer implants and often eliminates the need for bone grafting. Plus, unlike conventional approaches, All-on-4 offers immediate results without the typical 3 to 9-month waiting period between procedures.

All-on-4 and All-on-6 are types of All-on-X treatments. The main difference between them is the number of implants used. All-on-6 utilizes six implants per arch instead of four, which can provide additional stability and support in certain cases, particularly when the bone is denser. However, both methods offer similar benefits, including immediate functionality and a natural appearance. Your oral surgeon will recommend the best option based on your specific needs.

There are numerous benefits to choosing All-on-4 for your dental restoration:

The success and longevity of All-on-X treatments depend on the quality of the materials used, the surgical and restorative expertise of the specialists, and the precision of the procedure.

At SameDay Dental Clinic, our Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons and Specialist Prosthodontists have placed over 35,000 dental implants. We combine their unmatched expertise with the latest technology and a patient-centered approach to ensure the best possible outcomes. With All-on-X, we offer a highly efficient, minimally invasive solution for full-arch restoration—completed in just one day.