All-on-4 dental implants

All-on-4 means a full arch of teeth, upper or lower, supported by four implants. For someone with no teeth, or teeth that are badly broken down, we place at least four implants (more when the bone allows) and attach a denture that does not come in and out. It feels very close to natural teeth, almost like a third set after your baby and adult teeth.

A traditional implant usually replaces one or two missing teeth. All-on-4 restores an entire jaw: several implants connected to a fixed denture that stays in place. It is the same family of treatment, just a different scale.

Most people are. A few situations call for waiting, such as recent chemotherapy or radiation, or diabetes that is not yet under control. Because the implants go into bone, conditions like osteoporosis or limited bone can add steps, but they rarely rule it out. If someone has told you it is impossible, a more experienced provider may still be able to help.

Yes. Most people who have lost their teeth have already been through other treatments or worn dentures for years, and age on its own is not a barrier. The oldest patient I have treated with All-on-4 was 82, and they did well.

It depends on where the bone loss is. Often we can rebuild the bone, or choose implants placed to avoid those areas. Bone loss may make the treatment a little more involved and take longer, but it usually will not stop you.

First we plan the final result, so your new teeth look and function the way you want. We prepare a surgical guide and your components, which takes about two to three months once scheduling and lab work are accounted for. On surgery day you are placed under full anesthesia, the remaining teeth are removed, the implants are placed, and a denture is attached the same day. That is where the phrase teeth in a day comes from.

Plan on a little over a year. About two to three months of preparation before surgery, then six to nine months of healing while you wear an attached temporary denture, and finally two to three months to dial in the permanent denture. We make ours from custom zirconia with a titanium sleeve.

Around seven: a consultation with records, a visit to preview the temporary, the surgery itself, a healing check to remove stitches, a check once healing is complete, a try-in of the final, and the final delivery. After that it is normal long-term care, just like your natural teeth.

That is the goal. Done properly by the right provider, they should last a very long time, which is exactly why choosing your provider carefully matters. Lifetime is relative, since a 25-year-old and a 65-year-old have different expectations, but the aim is to do this right and do it once. I stand behind my work for as long as you care for it.

They are mostly different names for the same idea. All-on-6 simply uses six implants instead of four. I would not get too hung up on the labels. We choose what fits your jaw and your goals.