What are All-on-4 dental implants?

As an alternative to traditional dentures, All-on-4 replaces one full arch of teeth—all the teeth on the top or bottom of your mouth—with fixed prosthetic teeth attached to only four. The implants are screwed into the upper or lower jawbone, replacing the original tooth root. Once the implants are in place, dentists attach acrylic or porcelain prosthetic teeth (called crowns) to the screws.

Unlike traditional implants that require separate screws for each prosthetic tooth, All-on-4 dental implants are able to attach an entire top or bottom set of teeth to just the four screws. All-on-4 dental implants aren’t removable like traditional dentures, but can be removed by a professional for cleaning.

Dentists recommend them for a variety of reasons, including:

Restoring teeth after continual tooth decay and infection
Replacing teeth after multiple failed root canals
Removing and replacing teeth that can’t be saved

People with strong, sufficient jaw bone mass who prefer fixed dentures to detachable ones are good candidates for All-on-4 dental implants.

What are the pros and cons of All-on-4 dental implants?

Pros

All-on-4 dental implants reduce the likelihood of time-consuming and painful bone grafting.
In many cases, it’s possible to receive a full set of new teeth in one day.
There should be limited disruption to everyday life and minimal food restrictions once your mouth has healed.
All-on-4 dental implants eliminate the inconvenience of removable dentures when they loosen.

Cons

Although not common, there’s some risk of a failed implant, meaning your bone doesn’t grow properly around the implanted screw.
Some RealSelf members report they had speech difficulties post-surgery.
All-on-4 dental implants can be expensive, discouraging many potential candidates from pursuing this procedure.
In All-on-4 dental implant reviews, some RealSelf members say they had tender gums and difficulty eating for much longer than expected, as long as one month post-surgery.

What to expect during All-on-4 dental implants surgery

In your initial consultation, you’ll meet with a dentist or oral surgeon to confirm you’re a good candidate for All-on-4 dental implants. If you’re missing only a few teeth and otherwise have many healthy ones, your dentist may instead recommend traditional dental implants.

In most cases, you’ll have the implants inserted and your new prosthetic teeth attached during the same procedure.

For this procedure, you’ll be under either local or general anesthesia. The dentist first removes any remaining rotting teeth and infected tissue from your gums to prepare your jaw for implants. Then they will place two screws toward the front of the mouth and two screws toward the back of the mouth, creating an anchor for the prosthetic teeth. Most dentists use titanium screws to replace the root of the primary tooth. Once implanted, the screws fuse to the bone.

Finally, the dentist will attach the full arch of acrylic or porcelain prosthetic teeth to the screws.

How long do All-on-4 dental implants last?

How long All-on-4 dental implants last depends on several factors, including the material from which the teeth are made. Many dentists say that zirconia or hybrid-acrylic materials are the most durable and will last the longest.

To make your All-on-4 dental implants last longer, routine maintenance and proper hygiene are crucial. Clean your implants regularly, as you would with natural teeth and follow any specific care instructions from your dentist. Your dentist can restore any chips or cracks that develop over time to help extend the implant’s longevity.

Dentist near Brunswick, GA

Dexter Mattox, DMD

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