All on 4 Dental Implants Treatment Guide

Table of Contents

Dental implants have become an increasingly popular and effective way to replace missing teeth. The traditional method involves placing an implant for each lost tooth, which can require multiple surgeries over several months. However, with the All on Four (All on 4) technique, patients can have a full set of implant-supported teeth placed in a single surgery. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk through everything you need to know about All on Four implants, including how they work, ideal candidates, the surgery process, recovery time, costs, and long-term maintenance. Whether you are considering All on Four implants or are simply curious to learn more, this guide developed by Novudentics Prosthodontics will provide an overview of this transformative dental procedure.

What are All on Four, or All on 4, Dental Implants?

All-on-four dental implants are a type of implant-supported dental prosthesis used to replace all of the teeth in the upper or lower jaw. People who are missing their teeth due to decay or periodontal disease who do not want to have something removable in their mouth are more of the common candidates for this type of prosthesis we see at Novudentics.

A proper all-on-4 procedure uses just 4 strategically placed implants to securely support an entire replacement set of teeth in one or both dental arches. It is an efficient and effective option for patients with complete tooth loss. The four dental implants in the jaw bone to support a full arch of prosthetic teeth (an entire upper or lower set of teeth). Implants are strategically placed at angles by the prosthodontist to provide adequate support for the prosthetic teeth.

The All on 4 Procedure in Detail

The All on 4 procedure is not necessarily a complex one, but a very skilled prosthodontist is required to do the work. Are are the main steps involved in an All on 4 treatment:

  1. Initial data collection from the prosthodontist involves intraoral and extraoral photos, CT scan and intraoral scanner of the patient’s existing condition.
  2. The right dental software aids in the correct planning of the case both surgically and prosthetically.
  3. The surgeon performs the surgery (which usually includes removal of hopeless teeth and implant placement) and the restorative dentist delivers a temporary prosthesis to the patient on the same day. This first prosthesis is made from PMMA (acrylic) and it stays in the mouth for 4-5 months during healing phase.
  4. The restorative dentist proceeds with the fabrication of the final prosthesis which can be made from different materials. The most commonly used lately is zirconia due to the high strength that this material presents with.
  5. Periodic maintenance of the prosthesis involves annual removal of the prosthesis for evaluation of the peri-implant tissues as well as evaluation of the prosthetic parts like the screws and the abutments that connect the implants with the prosthesis.

Are Four Implant Points Always Used?

No, four implants are not always used. It is important to note that the All on Four procedure calls for a minimum of 4 implants. Depending on the patient age, medical history, dental condition, and bone availability, we might need to add five, six, or even more implants. This is a very situational treatment, and can different from patient to patient depending on their oral structure and condition.

All on Four Implants vs. Traditional Dental Implants

All on Four implants differ from traditional dental implants in several different ways. Here are some of the key differences between All-on-Four dental implants and traditional dental implants:

  • Number of implants – All-on-Four uses only 4 implants to support a full arch of teeth, whereas traditional implants place one implant per lost tooth.
  • Implant angulation – The 4 All-on-Four implants are placed at strategic angles to provide better support, while traditional implants are placed vertically.
  • Grafting needs – All-on-Four rarely needs bone grafting, even if the jawbone density is low. Traditional implants often require bone grafting if the bone density is inadequate.
  • Number of surgeries – All-on-Four can be done in a single surgery, while traditional implants require multiple surgeries over several months as each implant integrates with the bone.
  • Healing time – All-on-Four provides immediate function with fixed prosthetic teeth attached on the same day of implant placement. Traditional implants require a prolonged healing period of several months before teeth are placed.
  • Prosthetic type – All-on-Four accommodates both fixed and removable dental prosthetics. Traditional implant restorations are typically fixed permanent dental bridges.
  • Cost – All-on-Four is generally less expensive overall since it uses less implants and fewer surgeries/prosthetics.
  • Indication – All-on-Four is indicated for fully edentulous jaws, while traditional implants are used for partial tooth loss.

All-on-Four uses fewer implants at strategic angles to provide an immediate, fixed restoration at reduced cost compared to traditional single-implant methods. It is best suited for patients needing complete dental rehabilitation.

How to Clean All on 4 Implants

Where Can I Get an All on Four Treatment?

If you are considering All-on-Four dental implants to restore your smile and chewing ability, I highly recommend choosing Novudentics for your procedure. As a premier prosthodontics facility in South Florida, Novudentics stands above the rest when it comes to oral surgery expertise and patient care. Our experienced prosthodontists have placed hundreds of All-on-Four implants, so you can trust them to get it right the first time.

At Novudentics, we use advanced 3D planning and guided implantation technology to ensure your All-on-Four implants are positioned precisely where they need to be. This results in a comfortable procedure, faster recovery, and long-lasting results. During surgery, our prosthodontists take extra steps to minimize swelling, bleeding, and pain, so you can get back to your normal routine faster.

Novudentics Prosthodontist DR K

Equally important is their dedication to your follow-up care and satisfaction. The entire Novudentics team will monitor your healing, provide pain management, adjust your prostheses, and answer any questions along the way. They won’t consider your case complete until you are 100% thrilled with how your All-on-Four implants look, feel, and function.

Don’t gamble with your oral health – for a swift, low-pain All-on-Four experience and five-star patient care, Novudentics is the clear choice. I urge you to schedule a consultation at our their state-of-the-art facility and see the difference for yourself. You will not regret choosing our premier prosthodontic practice to transform your smile. Call us at 561-567-7880, today.

All on Four Dental Implants Cost

It is difficult to give an exact cost to a patient for an All on Four dental treatment. This is because each of the implants are made customized for every patient, and the needs of every patient are different. This makes the cost, theoretically, different for everyone.

That said, the average cost for an All-on-Four dental implant procedure can range between $20,000 – $45,000 for a full upper or lower arch. However, the pricing can vary significantly depending on several factors:

  • Clinic reputation: More renowned clinics and those with extensive All-on-Four experience tend to charge higher fees. Newer providers may offer discounts.
  • Type of implants used: The implants themselves can range from $500 – $1500 per implant. Premium brands like Nobel Biocare or Straumann cost more.
  • Prosthetic material: Lower-cost acrylic dentures reduce the price versus higher-end porcelain prosthetics.
  • Bone grafting needs: If bone grafts are needed it can add $500 – $2000 to the total.
  • Complexity of case: More difficult cases due to poor bone density or other factors increase the cost.

Please be sure to get quotes from multiple providers before deciding.

Before an After Photos of All on 4 Implants

Novudentics hosts an extensive before and after photo gallery of all types of different oral treatments that we have conducted over the many years we’ve been in business. Here are some before and after images of a very recent all on 4 procedure we did for a patient that presented with a very complex case.

Check our the Novudentics Prosthodontics Before and After Photo Gallery for more images of our dental treatments we’ve done for patients.

History of the All on 4 Dental Implant Treatment

This revolutionary method was first developed in the 1990s and has continued to grow in popularity due to its efficiency and dramatic results. In the All on Four procedure, four dental implants are strategically placed in the jaw bone to support a full arch of prosthetic teeth. This approach provides patients with a permanent, functional set of teeth that look and feel like natural teeth.

In the early 2000’s, Zest Anchors and Nobel Biocare created All-on-Four implant components, helping popularize the technique. By 2010, multiple long-term studies demonstrated excellent outcomes for All-on-Four over 10 or more years. This convinced more dentists to offer the technique.

Today, the All-on-Four has become a preferred option for patients needing full arch tooth replacement due to its simplicity, minimal invasive nature, cost-effectiveness and predictability compared to other solutions.

Who Wrote This?

Dr-K-at-his-desk

Dr. Kallithrakas (Dr. K) is the lead prosthodontist for Novudentics in Palm Beach, Florida. He obtained a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) and conducted a one year fellowship in Implant Dentistry sponsored by Biomet 3i at NOVA Southeastern University. Dr. K also has a Master in Science in which his thesis The difference in microgap between zirconia and titanium abutments; a pilot study was published.

Dr. K and his team at Novudentics have extensive training in all areas of prosthodontics, and serve patients across the United States from his Palm Beach office location. He believes that changing someone’s smile can help make a difference in many aspects of someone’s life.

Connect with Dr. Kallithrakas on Linkedin.

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