All-on-Four (also known as All-on-4 and full arch implants) is a dental implant technique that replaces the entire upper or lower set of teeth with only four implants. These four dental implants are placed at a specific angle (2 front ones placed at 90 degree angle and 2 back ones placed at 45 degree angles in the jawbone) in patients with no set of teeth. All-on-Four technique is performed on the area of the jaw with high bone density. Unlike the traditional method, which requires adjacent natural teeth to support the dentures and bridges. With this technique, permanent denture or bridge is attached to All-on-Four implants in same session. Therefore, there is no need for natural teeth to support the bridges or dentures as this is taken care of by the four dental implants. As a result, All-on-Four concept provides the opportunity of not replacing each lost teeth individually subsequently saving time and money for patients. Overall All-on-Four dental implants are an excellent solution for patients with no teeth.

The All-on-Four technique does not require the patient to have a whole set of teeth missing. They do, however, need to replace a significant number of teeth. Candidates who would benefit from All on 4 dental implants include:

• -Individuals who have had several tooth losses as a result of tooth decay or injury.



• -People who suffer from advanced gum disease.



• -Individuals who are unable to receive tooth restoration.

Patients should have sufficient jawbone structure and gum tissue to support implants. Patients with insufficient bone density may require bone grafts before the procedure.

Furthermore, the ideal implant candidates should be in good physical condition to recover from minor oral surgery. People with cardiovascular diseases should inform their cardiologists of any procedure that will be performed. A letter from the patient’s doctor should also be obtained before the procedure.

The following are only a few numerous compelling benefits of All-on-Four:

• -Shorter treatment time: Placing dental implants to replace every missing tooth would necessitate multiple surgeries thus lengthier healing time. The All-on-four concept eliminates the need for several surgeries as it can be completed in a single surgery.



• -Application to people with low bone density. All-on-4 can be performed on individuals who are ineligible for standard dental implants due to insufficient jawbone density.



• -Natural appearance: provides results that look natural, enabling patients to be more confident with their appearance. In contrast to standard dentures, which frequently appear bulky and unnatural, the All-on-Four provides aesthetically beautiful, extremely sturdy teeth.



• -Better oral health: Dental implants are durable and aim to enhance your dental health. The patient won’t experience any discomfort due to missing teeth and enjoy eating or drinking freely.



• -No need for special maintenance: Patients no longer need to devote time to caring for their dentures. Maintaining standard oral hygiene is sufficient for dental implants.

Overall, this technique significantly improves the lives of people who have been struggling to deal with the challenges of missing or lost teeth. With their new smile, the patient will restore full oral function and self-confidence.

The dentist will assess the patient’s bone density to identify the suitability for All-on-Four treatment. All-on-Four implants often require less bone density than standard implants, nevertheless, bone still needs to be able to support the incoming implants. In the event of insufficient bone volume the bone grafting procedure will be performed before dental implant surgery.

The stages of All-on-Four dental implant include:

Stage 1: Consultation

The dentist will examine the patient’s tooth structure and jawbone. Patient’s suitability for the treatment will be determined by the dentist. CBCT scan will be required for analysing whether bone grafting or teeth extraction will be required. The medical history of the individual needs to be disclosed to the dentist for accurate evaluation.

Stage 2: Placing the Implant

The treatment consists of surgery and the dental prosthesis process. Regarding the surgery aspect: to achieve the maximum strength and stability while avoiding contact with any other face structure, pilot holes for the implants will be drilled at exact angles. The implants are placed in the jaw where holes are drilled into the bone. Area is covered over with gum tissue and allowed to integrate into the jawbone for few months.

Surgery is performed under local anaesthesia therefore the patient feels no pain during the operation.

Stage 3: Recovery & Final Prosthesis

Following the placement of your dental implants, the final step is to enable them to heal properly. Once the healing process has been completed, the dentist will obtain impressions by taking molds of the gums and implants. The prosthesis will be custom-made to match the contours of the fully healed gums and implants.

The surgery is completed when the dentist attaching the ready prosthesis to the implant.

It would take time to recover from implant surgery. Patients experience post-operative pain in varying degrees. Some people experience intense pain, necessitating the use of prescribed medicines. While some only feel mild pain.

For further details regarding post operation care please see the section on Dental Implant Surgery: Everything you need to know!

The eligibility for All-on-Four isn’t always influenced by age. The majority of All on 4 dental patients are in their forties or fifties, have had many extractions and root canals, and have very few, if any, natural teeth left.

Even though traditional dentures that basically rest on top of the gums are still widely used, many patients find them to have a number of drawbacks. Firstly, the dentures must be removed every night for cleaning since they are suction-adhered to the gums rather than being permanently attached.

Secondly, the jaw gradually shrinks if the roots of the teeth are missing. When teeth are fixed in the jaw, the natural actions of the mouth, including chewing, put pressure on the bone. This pressure promotes growth and strengthens the region. As a result of the lessened pressure caused by tooth loss, the bones eventually start to lose density and strength. Therefore to prevent slippage, dentures must be replaced every few years. Thus, more health problems and expenses could build up over time. On the other hand, with good oral care practice, the implant could last for a lifetime.

Overall it may seem like dentures are initially a faster and less expensive option. However, in the long term, they are likely to cost more. The All-on-Four dental implant provides a solution to these problems.