What Should I Expect During the All-on-4^® Procedure?

Once you are determined to be a good candidate for the All-on-4^® treatment concept, you can begin the first stage of the process: placement of the dental implants. During this step, our experienced periodontist will surgically place two implants into the jawbone towards the front of the mouth and the final two implants towards the back of the mouth at an angle. By tilting the posterior implants up to 45 degrees, this helps maximize the titanium posts’ contact with the available jawbone. As a result, there is a higher success rate of the implants fusing with the jawbone, creating the solid foundation on which your final denture prosthesis will be attached.

Depending on your unique oral needs, you may be recommended one of the following All-on-4^® methods:

• Upper Arch or Lower Arch Replacement: When only one arch of teeth has several missing or severely damaged teeth, you can obtain a new set of teeth to restore this arch.
• Full Mouth Restoration: If you require a full mouth teeth replacement, All-on-4^® implant dentures can be designed for both your upper and lower arches of teeth.

In some cases, more than four implants may be used to create the best possible outcome. For example, some patients are better suited for six implants to support each denture. This is commonly referred to as “All-on-6.”

What Can I Expect for the All-on-4^® Recovery Period?

After implant surgery, the healing period generally takes one week. Although it will take several months for your implants to fuse with the jawbone, most patients feel well enough to resume their normal routines within a few days. Not all patients take time off from work, but we may suggest staying home for a couple of days if your job involves strenuous or demanding activity. Our team may also advise you to avoid exercise for a certain period of time while your mouth heals. A friend or loved one will have to pick you up from our office after the All-on-4^® procedure since the anesthesia may have lingering effects. Rest assured that Dr. Oelbaum and our periodontist will go over all aftercare instructions with you to help facilitate a smooth recovery period.

How Long Do All-on-4^® Results Last?

All-on-4^® is designed to be a permanent solution for an entire row of missing teeth, as your dental implants are surgically fused to the underlying bone structure. However, the lifespan of implants is similar to the longevity of natural teeth — meaning poor oral hygiene, smoking, infections, and a lack of dental care may cause your implants to deteriorate just like your enamel. The best way to maximize how long All-on-4^® results last is to take good care of your teeth and oral health. There are many measures patients can take to get the most out of their restorations, including:

• Consistent dental hygiene, including brushing and flossing your teeth twice daily
• Not smoking during and after the implant process, as smoking can be a primary cause of implant failure
• Attending your regular appointments so our implant dentist can monitor for potential dental issues
• Wearing a night guard if you tend to clench and grind your teeth while asleep

With excellent care, All-on-4^® implants can last many decades and beyond. Our dentists would be happy to speak with you more about what you can expect from the results of implant dentures.

How Much Do All-on-4^® Dental Implants Cost?

Since every All-on-4^® procedure will slightly vary, the final cost will be different from patient to patient. In general, the average cost of the All-on-4^® process ranges from $25,000 to $60,000. The specific number will depend on a variety of factors, such as:

• The number of arches to be replaced
• If preliminary work is needed, such as tooth extractions
• Laboratory costs
• Expertise of the dentist
• Geographic location

When you come in for your initial appointment, our staff can provide you with a more personalized cost quote based on the specifics of your treatment plan. If you are interested, they can also go over your dental financing options to help divide your total cost into more manageable monthly payments.

What is the Success Rate of All-on-4^®?

All-on-4^® dental implants have an impressive success rate of approximately 90 to 95 percent. That said, the effectiveness of any dental treatment relies, in part, on the experience of your implant dentist and oral surgeon. A qualified dental team will be able to confirm that you’re a good candidate for dental implants and utilize preliminary treatments (if necessary) to address any dental concerns — such as cavities, signs of gum disease, etc. — you may exhibit prior to your implant surgery. This diligence helps enhance the likelihood of success after your All-on-4^® procedure.

Your willingness to maintain a clean, healthy mouth is also essential to the success of All-on-4^®. Many cases of implant failure result from excessive bacteria buildup in the teeth and gums, so it’s important to stay consistent in your dental hygiene habits.

Additional All-on-4^® FAQs

How is All-on-4^® different from traditional implants?

All-on-4^® is a specialized technique designed to replace entire rows of teeth with less bone support than traditional dental implants. With that said, the procedure differs significantly from traditional implant methods in both design and the approach to treatment. Dental implants typically replace missing teeth one at a time, meaning each tooth requires its own implant post to be anchored into the jawbone. This often involves multiple surgical procedures, longer healing times, and additional treatments such as bone grafting to ensure there is enough bone density to accommodate each implant.

In contrast, the All-on-4^® technique uses just four strategically placed implants to support an entire row of teeth — either the upper arch, lower arch, or both. Two implants are placed vertically in the front of the jaw, while the remaining two are angled towards the back to maximize contact with existing bone. This angled placement allows many patients with bone loss to replace their teeth while avoiding bone grafting altogether. As a result, All-on-4^® offers a faster, more streamlined solution that can restore full function and aesthetics with fewer implants, fewer surgeries, and significantly reduced overall treatment time when compared to regular implants.

Is All-on-4^® permanent?

Yes, All-on-4^® is intended to be a permanent replacement for missing teeth. The results of this implant surgery are long-term, often providing a lifelong solution for lost teeth when your oral health is properly cared for. The implant posts themselves are made of biocompatible titanium, which integrates with the jawbone through a process called osseointegration. Once this fusion occurs, the implants become a stable and enduring foundation within the jawbone. 

While the implants are intended to last indefinitely, the prosthetic teeth attached to them may require replacement or maintenance over time due to normal wear, changes in your bite, or aesthetic preferences. With good oral hygiene, regular dental checkups, and healthy habits, many patients enjoy decades of reliable function from their All-on-4^® implants. In this sense, All-on-4^® is considered a permanent solution rather than a temporary or removable option like dentures.

How long does All-on-4^® implant surgery take?

Depending on the details of each patient’s dental plan and the number of implants required to stabilize their restoration, implant surgery can take anywhere from two to three hours for the placement of four implants — although some procedures are completed sooner than this timeframe. If both the upper and lower arches are treated in the same visit, the total procedure time may extend to four to six hours. 

One of the key advantages of All-on-4^® is patients often receive a temporary, fixed set of teeth on the same day as surgery, allowing them to leave the office with a functional smile. This is why All-on-4^® is commonly referred to as “teeth in a day.”

If you would like more information about All-on-4^®, or would like to set up an appointment with our team at Oelbaum & Kagan Dentistry, feel free to contact us.