All-on-4® treatment concept

What are all-on-4 teeth implants in dentistry? 

All-on-4 dental implants are a full set of implants designed to replace your entire upper or lower set of teeth. They act as a more permanent and natural-looking alternative to dentures. Traditionally, each dental implant has one small titanium screw that a surgeon inserts into the gums. Then, the dentist places a single false tooth to the screw. With an All-on-4 implant, you don’t need to replace each lost tooth individually. Instead, four titanium posts are surgically inserted into your jawbone as the main anchors. They can then attach a permanent denture at those four areas for a seamless look across your entire mouth.

The prosthesis will stay in your mouth permanently and look just as natural as your surrounding real teeth.

What Are the Pros and Cons of All-on-4 Implants?

Many people gain renewed confidence in their appearance with All-on-4 implant surgery. The procedure is also suitable for people of all ages. The implants offer several benefits that allow patients to enjoy the smile of a lifetime, including:

• Replacement of entire set of missing teeth in just one day with only one surgery.
• Permanently secure implants in your mouth, so they won’t loosen or shift like dentures.
• Restoration of your entire set of teeth with only four implants.
• Lower cost than replacing each tooth individually.
• Avoidance of any bone grafting, in vast majority of cases.

At Maida Smiles we always ensure our patients are thoroughly briefed on the pros and cons of dental implants, to ensure they can make a well-informed decision for their own unique smile.

In terms of potential drawbacks for All-on-4 implant surgery, patients should consider the following:

• You’ll need to have a high level of bone available to hold the implants in place.
• You won’t be able to test how the teeth feel or look before your procedure.
• The implants cannot be placed in the mouth’s molar area, where you have the greatest bite force.

How many days does it take to implant a tooth? 

There is no specific answer to this question, as it depends on each individual case. However, in general, All-on-Four surgery takes about two hours per arch—so a full upper, lower procedure is typically four hours. But again, every patient is different and every patient brings a different set of circumstances. On occasions, the procedure can be more complex and it might take an extra hour. Conversely, for patients with no or very few teeth, less time is required for extraction, meaning the process can take less than three hours.

Do All-on-4 Dental implants take a long time to heal? 

Recovery time for traditional implants typically ranges from three to eight months, but with All-on-4 implants, you’ll likely recover much sooner. An All-on-4 system can fuse to your bone more easily than individual implants, which promotes better stability. Because implants have been inserted into the jaw, you can expect some swelling and soreness for a few days. This should quickly subside, and within three days you should be left with teeth that look great and work perfectly. We recommend that our patients take at least one to two days off work after the procedure. Throughout that time, it is important to stay hydrated and get lots of rest.

How painful is the dental implant procedure? 

There is a common misconception that the recovery from All-on-4 implants is very painful. This is not the case: there is a dull ache over a few days from the swelling, but the discomfort is comparatively very low compared to other dental implants. The pain and discomfort following on from the procedure can be effectively treated with paracetamol, ibuprofen, or stronger painkillers if necessary.

Interested in All-on-4? We highly recommend reaching out to a member of the Maida Smiles team for professional support and personalised care plan.