Home/Treatments/Dental Implants/All-On-4® Implants – Teeth in a Day
Schedule a consultation to find out how All-On-4 can provide an extraordinary alternative to traditional missing teeth replacement options.
Schedule a ConsultationOne of the primary goals of our practice is to help patients who suffer from the many functional and aesthetic problems that accompany the loss of teeth. Implant-supported fixed “denture” hybrids offer an advanced way to address missing teeth and to correct some of the most common issues associated with traditional dentures. All-On-4 is a groundbreaking fixed hybrid teeth replacement technique designed to provide strength and stability to a custom dental prosthesis, ultimately helping you achieve results that enable you to eat your favorite foods, speak with greater ease, and show your smile without hesitation or self-consciousness.
All-On-4 implant-supported prosthesis treatments are often very complex, and it’s important to ensure you are being treated by skilled maxillofacial oral surgeons who have the experience and technology necessary to provide the best possible results. At Oral & Facial Surgeons of Arizona, our doctors have been performing implant procedures for many years and are committed to providing the highest level of care along with results that meet – and perhaps even exceed – your expectations.
Implant-supported hybrid “dentures” involve a combination of dental implants and a custom dental appliance to replace multiple missing teeth. Sometimes referred to as implant-supported dentures or implant-anchored dentures, we prefer to use the terms “fixed hybrid” or “implant-supported prosthesis” since these restorations do not involve traditional types of dentures, and they are designed to eliminate many of the problems associated with conventional dentures. They do this by using dental implants to create a solid basis of support for the appliance, which can result in replacement teeth that function and appear more like natural teeth. A select number of implants will be anchored to the jawbone and the prosthesis will be securely placed on top of the implant posts to prevent movement and slippage along the gums. These options can often be ideal for patients who are missing all teeth on the upper and/or lower dental arches. This solution does not require the use of an implant for each missing tooth, and can often serve as an alternative for patients who may not be candidates for full sets of dental implants.
“I can’t begin to describe how grateful I am to Dr. Golding and his entire staff for the miracle they performed on me!! Dr. Golding is leading the field in the newest, most innovative and ground-breaking technologies and treatments available. The implant-based All-On-4 technique will make Grandpa’s old dentures a thing of history. The team at Oral & Facial Surgeons of Arizona aren’t just performing operations, they are performing TRANSFORMATIONS!! Thank you all for the amazing work that you’ve done. – Romans 12:2”– Jason Lee
Implant-supported prostheses options like All-On-4 offer a remarkable variety of benefits to patients with failing dentition. If you are embarrassed by a smile that you feel is unsightly, or if you are experiencing severe problems with your teeth and simply want a fresh new start, you may be a candidate for this revolutionary procedure. Some of the major advantages of All-On-4 can include:
Please contact us today for a consultation to learn more about this advanced procedure. When you meet with one of our surgeons for your initial consultation, he will perform a full evaluation of your oral structures and talk with you about your needs and goals. If All-On-4 is an ideal option, a customized treatment plan will be created to provide you with results that yield a precise and comfortable fit while beautifully enhancing your smile.
Once you have been evaluated and a customized All-On-4 dental implants treatment plan has been developed, the procedure can be scheduled. Our doctor will utilize advanced computer imaging software to create a detailed map of your oral structures, which will help him choose the best area to place the implants. The implants will be inserted into the gums and anchored to the jawbone in an extraordinarily precise way in order to give the prosthesis the strongest base of support possible, and to ensure a comfortable, natural fit. A temporary prosthesis can often be placed on top of the implants at this time, making this truly a “Teeth In a Day” procedure. Over the next several months, the implants should fuse to the jawbone, essentially becoming a permanent part of your mouth. Once this process is complete, the final customized prosthesis can be affixed to the implants and the treatment is complete.
All-On-4 dental implants can be utilized for replacement of full rows of missing teeth on the upper arch, the lower arch, or for both arches to create a full mouth restoration. If patients still have a few teeth left on either arch, our doctor can perform a tooth extraction procedure to prepare the areas for All-On-4 dental implant placement.
In some cases, typically in patients who have low jawbone density, four dental implants may not be quite enough to ensure full and complete support for the prosthesis. The All-On-6 technique may be more ideal in these circumstances. This treatment simply adds two more dental implants for each arch (upper and/or lower) in order to provide an even stronger foundation for the prosthesis.
Some degree of soreness and swelling in the areas where the dental implants were placed can be expected for a few days after the All-On-4 treatment. Over-the-counter pain medicine is often all that’s necessary to alleviate discomfort; however, stronger pain medication may be prescribed if necessary. During the recovery period, it is very important to take any antibiotic medication as directed in order to minimize the potential for infection. A small amount of bleeding around the implant sites can be expected; however, this should dissipate over the first 24 hours.
Our oral surgeon will supply you with detailed guidelines that can help you enjoy a smooth and safe recovery process after the All-On-4 procedure.
All-On-4 implant-supported fixed hybrid dentures will require daily cleaning and care routines to ensure they continue to look and function well for many years to come. Fortunately, the fixed hybrid denture prosthesis can be cleaned and cared for in much the same way as you would clean your natural teeth. Daily brushing and flossing, along with regular office visits for professional cleanings, are typically all that’s necessary to adequately care for your All-On-4 hybrid dentures.
We do advise patients to take some additional precautions with their All-On-4 hybrid dentures to minimize the risk of damage. It’s important to be careful when biting down on hard or tough foods, and patients should try to refrain from biting their nails or using their mouth to open a bottle or package. For individuals who experience bruxism (teeth clenching/grinding), our doctor may recommend a custom nightguard to protect the teeth from potential wear and tear.
With proper long-term care, All-On-4 implant-supported hybrid dentures can last decades into the future. When consistently adhering to cleaning and care instructions, patients have the best chance of enjoying their All-On-4 results for extensive periods of time. It is also a good idea to make sure you attend all recommended dental check-ups and take steps to maintain your periodontal health. If a new denture prosthesis is ever needed later in life, the implants will likely remain unaffected since they should be permanently fused to the jaw at that time. Therefore, modifications should only be necessary for the denture—additional surgery will typically not be required.
The final cost of an All-On-4 dental implants procedure is ultimately dependent on each patient’s unique treatment plan. Some of the factors that are taken into account for the overall cost include the total number of implants that will be placed, whether any tooth extractions or other preliminary procedures are necessary, laboratory fees, the cost of the custom prosthesis, and other components. Once we have created your personalized treatment plan at the initial consultation, we will provide you with an estimate of the total cost of your procedure, including all associated expenses. A member of our team will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the many convenient payment methods we accept here at Oral & Facial Surgeons of Arizona.
Here at Oral & Facial Surgeons of Arizona, dental implant procedures are most commonly performed using general anesthesia. This virtually eliminates the potential that patients will experience discomfort during treatment. In cases where a local anesthetic as opposed to general anesthesia is utilized, most individuals describe a feeling of pressure rather than pain as the treatment is performed.
After the All-On-4 procedure is complete, it is common to experience some soreness in the areas where the implants are located; however, this should fade as the healing process continues over the next few days. In many cases, discomfort during this period can be alleviated with over-the-counter or prescribed pain medication.
The number of implants necessary for a full arch restoration varies among patients. With the All-On-4 technique, the idea is to use only four dental implants per arch to securely support a custom denture prosthesis; however, some patients may need the All-On-6 version of this treatment, or even more dental implants to produce the best results. The precise number of implants necessary will be determined based on the density of the jawbone, which dental arch is being treated (upper or lower), and other factors. It is very important for the implants to be able to absorb the strong pressure exerted while biting and chewing. If there are not enough implants placed at the start, it could increase the risk that the denture prosthesis won’t have sufficient support and may compromise the success of the implants themselves. Once you have been evaluated during the initial consultation, our oral surgeon can determine the number of dental implants you’ll need for long-lasting, successful teeth restoration.
It is typically more beneficial for patients who are missing all of their teeth on the upper and/or lower dental arches to have them replaced using a fixed hybrid implant denture prosthesis rather than a single dental implant for each missing tooth. The reason for this is because replacing each missing tooth with a dental implant would require much more extensive surgery, which would therefore increase the risk of potential complications. Additionally, a fixed hybrid implant denture prosthesis is often more cost-effective for patients in comparison to full arch restoration with the placement of individual dental implants for each missing tooth.
A full arch restoration is generally recommended for patients who are already missing all, or most, of their natural teeth on the upper and/or lower dental arch. If there are still a few natural teeth on the affected dental arch, they can be carefully extracted to allow the space necessary for the fixed hybrid implant denture prosthesis. With this in mind, patients who still have several healthy natural teeth on the dental arch, but just a few missing teeth, may be better-suited to a procedure that replaces the missing teeth with single dental implants or another type of restorative treatment. Our oral surgeon can advise you on the best option for your needs.
There are little to no food restrictions with All-On-4® dental implants, which is one of the many advantages offered by this treatment when compared to conventional dentures. However, patients should exercise some caution when eating certain foods. It is important to be careful when chewing, particularly on items such as ice, candy, and other hard foods. Too much biting force may damage the denture prosthesis (just as it might with natural teeth). As noted in the All-On-4 Cleaning and Care section above, it is also very important that patients refrain from using their mouths to open packages or bottles.
All-On-4 dental implants offer a revolutionary method of replacing missing teeth with results that can genuinely improve your livelihood. If you have questions about this procedure, or if you would like to schedule a consultation, please contact our practice today.