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All-on-4® is a treatment approach that replaces an entire upper or lower arch with a stable, fixed prosthesis supported by four dental implants. Rather than relying on removable appliances, this method is designed to provide a dependable, tooth‑like result in a condensed timeline. The goal is to restore chewing ability, speech function, and the natural appearance of a full smile while minimizing the number of surgical sites.
This option is commonly considered by adults who have lost most or all of their teeth, or by those whose remaining teeth are non-restorable. Because the procedure emphasizes strategic implant placement, it can be a solution even when bone volume is limited in the rear of the jaw. Each treatment plan begins with careful clinical evaluation so the chosen approach matches a patient’s anatomy and overall health.
Importantly, All-on-4® is not a one-size-fits-all shortcut; it relies on diagnostic imaging, interdisciplinary planning, and appropriate follow-up care. When performed with modern imaging and prosthetic planning, the method offers a predictable path to a fixed full-arch restoration while keeping post-operative steps efficient for patients.
This section outlines the basic premise of the technique so you know what the procedure seeks to accomplish: a stable, permanent-feeling arch that restores daily function and delivers a natural-looking result without the ongoing movement associated with traditional removable dentures.
Successful full-arch restoration begins with detailed planning. Advanced imaging, such as cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), maps bone volume, important anatomical structures, and jaw relationships in three dimensions. This information guides implant angulation and position, which are critical when using a limited number of implants to support an entire arch.
The All-on-4® concept typically relies on two implants placed near the front of the jaw and two placed toward the back at deliberate angles. Angulated posterior implants make better use of available bone and can often eliminate the need for more extensive bone grafting. That strategy helps streamline treatment while maintaining the mechanical stability required for a fixed prosthesis.
Digital planning tools also allow the team to design a temporary set of teeth that can be delivered immediately after implant placement. This provisional restoration protects soft tissues, establishes proper bite relationships, and gives patients functional teeth while the implants integrate with the jawbone during healing.
Close coordination between surgical and restorative phases ensures the final prosthesis fits accurately and performs well long term. Thorough planning reduces surprises on the day of surgery and supports a smoother recovery and transition to the permanent restoration.
One of the practical advantages of an implant‑supported full arch is improved function. A fixed prosthesis anchored to implants allows more efficient chewing compared with many removable options, which can restore dietary choices and make daily routines like speaking and smiling more comfortable.
Implant support also provides stability that prevents the slipping or rocking commonly associated with traditional dentures. That stability reduces soft tissue irritation and helps maintain consistent speech patterns, which can improve confidence in social and professional settings.
From a biological standpoint, implants transmit functional forces to the jawbone during chewing, which helps preserve bone volume and facial contour over time. Maintaining bone structure supports a more natural facial profile and contributes to long-term prosthetic stability compared with solutions that rest solely on the gums.
Maintenance of an implant-supported arch involves daily hygiene around the prosthesis and routine professional checkups. With proper care, the restoration can remain a dependable component of a patient’s oral health program for many years.
The process begins with a comprehensive consultation and diagnostic workup. During this visit, the clinical team reviews medical history, examines the mouth, takes radiographs or a CBCT scan, and discusses goals for function and appearance. This stage establishes a clear, individualized treatment plan tailored to each patient’s needs.
On the day of treatment, extractions (if needed) and implant placement are performed according to the plan. Many patients receive an immediately loaded provisional prosthesis that provides function and aesthetics while the implants osseointegrate. The surgical team uses techniques to manage soft tissue and ensure proper emergence profiles for the future final restoration.
Healing and integration typically take several months. During this period patients return for scheduled follow-ups so the team can monitor tissue health, check occlusion, and make any necessary adjustments to the provisional prosthesis. Once healing is complete, the final fixed prosthesis is fabricated to meet long-term functional and cosmetic goals.
After the final restoration is in place, ongoing care includes routine dental visits, professional cleanings, and home hygiene to protect the implants and supporting tissues. The dental team provides guidance on the best cleaning techniques and schedules checkups to preserve the longevity of the full-arch restoration.
Delivering predictable full-arch results requires coordinated care among clinicians, laboratory technicians, and support staff. Our approach emphasizes thorough diagnostics, digital planning, and prosthetic design that together create a restoration tailored to each mouth. Using current imaging and implant protocols helps the team manage complexity and reduce unnecessary steps for the patient.
Comfort and safety are priorities from the consultation through recovery. Sedation and anesthesia options are discussed during planning so patients can select the level of comfort that suits them. The clinical team also outlines post-operative instructions and schedules follow-up appointments to support clear communication and successful healing.
Every full-arch restoration involves long-term collaboration: the surgical placement, the provisional period, and the final prosthesis all factor into the outcome. By coordinating these stages under one treatment plan, the process becomes more transparent and easier to navigate for patients who want a fixed, functional solution.
Frankford Dental Group combines restorative and surgical expertise with modern imaging and laboratory partners to deliver implant-supported full-arch restorations that prioritize predictable function and lasting oral health.
To summarize, All-on-4® offers a carefully planned pathway to replace a complete arch with a fixed prosthesis supported by a small number of implants. The approach balances surgical efficiency with prosthetic precision to restore function, preserve jaw structure, and provide a natural-looking smile. If you would like to learn whether this treatment is a suitable option for you, contact us to discuss your needs and arrange a consultation with our team.
1All-on-4® is a registered trademark of Nobel Biocare.
The All-on-4 treatment concept offers an implant-based solution to patients who have lost all of their upper and/or lower teeth. This remarkable method of care helps patients quickly rebuild complete and beautiful smiles. With All-on-4, your new, and complete set of implant-supported replacement teeth feel secure, stable, and much like your very own.
If you currently wear complete upper and/or lower dentures or are slated to have your remaining teeth extracted, you may be a candidate for All-on-4. First Performed by Dr. Paulo Malo in 1998, the All-on-4 treatment concept has helped hundreds of thousands of patients quickly reestablish attractive smiles that look, feel, and function just like a set of natural teeth!
The All-on-4 treatment concept offers a fixed and permanent alternative to removable dentures. Unlike dentures, All-on-4 does not rely on messy dental adhesives or natural suction to hold your new set of teeth in place. With All-on-4, your replacement teeth are permanently secured by dental implants, giving you a smile that looks not only great but also feels secure and stable. You'll feel comfortable and confident as you speak, smile, and chew with ease.
While traditional full arch implants also achieve outstanding results of care, the All-On-4 treatment concept does not involve bone grafting and requires fewer implants to support a full set of teeth. With just four strategically placed dental implants needed to support an entire set of upper or lower teeth, the All-on-4 treatment concept offers a cost-effective and satisfying solution for rebuilding a complete smile. Thanks to this remarkable method of care, patients can experience the satisfaction of having teeth placed the same day as surgery. This key feature allows patients to smile and function with confidence until healing is complete and the permanent restorations installed.
Once it's been determined that you're a candidate for treatment with All-on-4, the process of treatment planning and designing your new smile begins. 3D diagnostic records provide the detailed information required to determine the exact positions of the four supporting dental implants. Then, on the day of surgery, we'll remove any remaining teeth, place the 4 implants, and insert a set of attractive, sturdy, and functional set of temporary teeth. With All-on-4, temporary teeth can be placed right away with a customized, permanent set to follow once the implants become fully integrated with the surrounding bone.
With All-on-4, temporary teeth can be placed right away with a customized, permanent set to follow within just a few months after the implants become fully integrated with the surrounding bone.
Thanks to All-on-4, patients enjoy permanent teeth that look, feel, and function just like real teeth. And with a patient satisfaction rate that exceeds 95%, the All-on-4 treatment concept restores your smile, your confidence, and allows you to enjoy once again the foods you love!
Maintaining your All-on-4 smile requires the same care as a natural smile. By cleaning your teeth twice daily, after meals as possible, and scheduling appointments for routine checkups as well as care, you can keep your new smile strong and healthy for years to come. Our office will demonstrate the most effective methods of oral hygiene and answer all your questions as to how to care for your new smile.
All-on-4® is a full-arch restoration technique that uses four dental implants to support a fixed prosthesis, replacing an entire upper or lower set of teeth. Unlike traditional removable dentures, the prosthesis is anchored to implants and does not rest directly on the gums, which reduces movement and improves stability. The treatment is designed to restore chewing, speech, and appearance while minimizing the number of surgical sites.
The approach focuses on strategic implant placement, often using angled posterior implants to maximize available bone and reduce the need for extensive grafting. Patients receive a provisional prosthesis in many cases, allowing immediate function while implants integrate with the jawbone. This combination of surgical and prosthetic planning sets it apart from conventional denture options.
Good candidates are adults who have lost most or all teeth in an arch, or whose remaining teeth cannot be predictably restored. Candidates should have generally healthy oral tissues and be medically evaluated to ensure they can undergo implant surgery and healing.
The technique can be particularly useful when bone volume is limited in the posterior jaw because angled implants make efficient use of available bone. Final candidacy is determined after a comprehensive clinical exam and imaging so the treatment plan matches each patient's anatomy and overall health.
The process begins with a detailed consultation, medical review, and digital imaging to map bone anatomy and plan implant positions. During the surgical phase, any necessary extractions are performed and four implants are placed according to the digital plan; a provisional prosthesis is often attached the same day to provide function and aesthetics.
Over the following months the implants undergo osseointegration while the clinical team monitors healing and adjusts the provisional as needed. Once healing is complete, the final fixed prosthesis is fabricated and delivered to meet long-term functional and cosmetic goals.
Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) provides three-dimensional images of bone volume, nerve pathways and other anatomical landmarks that are essential for precise implant placement. Digital planning software uses CBCT data to simulate implant angulation and prosthetic position, which minimizes surprises during surgery and improves prosthetic outcomes.
Accurate planning helps the team design provisionals and final restorations that respect occlusion and soft-tissue profiles, and it can reduce the need for additional bone grafting. This coordinated approach supports predictable results and smoother transitions from provisional to final prosthesis.
An implant-supported full arch restores efficient chewing forces, which often allows patients to return to a wider variety of foods compared with many removable options. Because the prosthesis is fixed to implants, it eliminates the slipping and rocking that can cause tissue irritation and speech changes with traditional dentures.
From a biological perspective, implants transmit functional forces to the jawbone, helping to preserve bone volume and facial contour over time. Maintaining bone support contributes to a more natural facial profile and long-term stability of the restoration.
Early recovery typically involves managing swelling, mild discomfort, and following dietary modifications for the first few days to weeks after surgery. Patients are given post-operative instructions including hygiene practices, medication recommendations, and follow-up schedules to monitor healing and integration of the implants.
Osseointegration commonly takes several months, during which the provisional restoration allows normal function while the jawbone fuses to the implants. Regular checkups enable the team to track progress, make adjustments to the provisional prosthesis, and prepare for fabrication of the final restoration when healing is sufficient.
All-on-4® shares general implant risks such as infection, implant failure, or complications related to healing, and these are managed through careful planning and post-operative care. Proper case selection, sterile technique, and accurate implant placement reduce the likelihood of complications, while antibiotics and targeted treatments address early infections when they occur.
Long-term risks include prosthetic wear, screw loosening, or peri-implant tissue issues that are minimized by routine maintenance and timely professional care. If complications arise, the clinical team evaluates the cause and implements corrective measures, such as prosthetic adjustments, soft-tissue management, or, rarely, implant revision.
Daily home hygiene is essential and includes cleaning around implant abutments and prosthetic surfaces with appropriate brushes and interdental cleaners as recommended by the dental team. Patients should follow a professional maintenance schedule that includes regular exams and professional cleanings to monitor tissue health and prosthetic function.
Periodic professional evaluations allow early detection of wear, occlusal issues, or soft-tissue concerns and enable timely maintenance such as screw checks or prosthesis refinements. With consistent home care and routine dental follow-up, an implant-supported full arch can remain a dependable part of a patient's oral health program for many years.
Sedation and anesthesia options range from local anesthesia with oral or nitrous oxide support to moderate or deep sedation, depending on patient needs and the extent of treatment. The treatment plan will include a discussion of comfort preferences, medical history and the most appropriate anesthesia option to ensure safety and minimize anxiety during surgery.
Patients are monitored throughout the procedure and given detailed pre- and post-operative instructions tailored to the chosen sedation method. Selecting the proper comfort protocol helps improve the overall experience and supports a smoother recovery period.
Begin by requesting a consultation so a clinical team can review your medical history, examine your mouth, and obtain diagnostic imaging such as a CBCT scan if needed. At that visit the team will discuss your goals for function and appearance, explain the steps of treatment, and outline a personalized plan suited to your anatomy and health.
Frankford Dental Group in Lubbock offers comprehensive evaluations that combine restorative and surgical expertise to help patients understand their options and next steps. If you are interested in exploring an implant-supported full arch, contact the office to arrange a consultation and start the diagnostic process.
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