What is All-on-4^®?

All-on-4^® dental implants is a technique often used for full, permanent arch replacement. Just four dental implants are required to hold each arch in place. When many teeth are missing or need to be replaced, this can be a practical solution to replace all of the teeth at once.

A Different Approach to Implants

Tooth loss is incredibly common among adults. Once most or all of the teeth are damaged or missing, many people seek out treatment options that will allow them to fully replace their teeth so that they can continue to eat, talk, smile, and maintain all other normal functions.

All-on-4^® treatments provide dental patients with an option for the full replacement of their natural teeth with four non-removable implants per arch. The technique was developed by Nobel Biocare and Dr. Paulo Malo in Europe, and has become popular across the world as a dental implant option for full arch replacements.

Find a Dentist Offering All-on-4^® Implants

How Does All-On-Four Work?

The procedure works by affixing a prosthesis (a full arch fixed bridge) to four to six permanent dental implants. After oral surgery to place the implants in the maxilla (upper jaw) and mandible (lower jaw), the patient will typically have the prosthesis placed within a day or two. This means that the teeth of the upper or lower jaw (or both sets) can be fully replaced very quickly.

All-on-4^® FAQs

Am I a candidate for All-on-4^®?

Patients with teeth that are damaged or decayed may need to have those teeth removed and replaced. All-on-4^® is one option for patients who require most or all of their teeth to be replaced at once. Your dentist will determine if you are a candidate based on your oral health and your specific needs.

 

What are the potential benefits of All-on-4^®?

There are several reasons patients may choose All-on-4^® as an option for replacement teeth. First, single day implant placement procedures can result in lower costs and less recovery time.

Second, All-on-4^® implants are a fully-functioning, permanent solution that can lead to a higher overall quality of life for patients. This is especially true when compared to removable dentures, which require extra care, restrict which types of foods can be eaten, and may cause sore spots because of shifting. By comparison, All-on-4^® dental implants require virtually no care and function like normal, natural-looking teeth.

Finally, this treatment option can be beneficial to overall oral health. Bone grafting can usually be avoided, which leads to less bone loss and the preservation of the jawbone.

What are the potential risks of All-on-4^®?

As in almost all dental procedures, there are some risks involved in All-on-4^® procedures. The implant placement requires sedation dentistry, which comes with specific risks. It’s important to be aware that there may be some changes in normal oral functioning, such as difficulty adjusting to the feeling of the bridges or speech impediments as you adjust to them. Most of these effects will be corrected naturally over time, but be sure to discuss these potential issues and any others with your dentist.

Are they permanent?

The implants in the jaw are permanent, while the full arch bridges will likely need to be replaced every 10-15 years.

Is All-on-4^® right for me?

If you need your teeth replaced, there are several dental treatment options that could benefit you. This may include full or partial dentures, full or partial dental implants, shorter dental bridges, and many other restorative dentistry procedures and techniques. All-on-4^® will not necessarily be the best treatment option for everyone, so be sure to discuss all of your teeth replacement alternatives with your dentist while creating your personalized treatment plan.

Learn More About Restorative Dental Procedures

Find a Local Dentist

Some of the dentists in the 123Dentist network offer free consultations for All-on-4^® treatment planning. If you’re considering it as an option in your oral health plan, find a dentist near you to learn more.