What are All-on-4 Dental Implants?
All-on-4 is an advanced dental implant procedure that allows the replacement of an entire dental arch using just four implants. Developed in the 1990s by Portuguese dentist Dr. Paulo Mal, the technique has quickly gained popularity worldwide. The reason for this is its effectiveness, shorter treatment time, and less invasiveness compared to the traditional placement of multiple implants. For many patients, this method is a breakthrough solution that allows them to eat, speak, and smile normally again.
How does All-on-4 work?
Traditional implant procedures use six to eight implants to replace all teeth in the upper or lower jaw. The All-on-4 method uses only four. Two implants are placed in the front of the jaw in a vertical position and two in the back at an angle of approximately 30-45 degrees. This angled placement allows for better use of the available bone and often eliminates the need for bone augmentation or sinus lifts.
A solid, complete bridge is attached to the implants, which looks and functions like natural teeth. In many cases, it is possible to perform the so-called “teeth in a day” procedure – i.e., immediate placement of temporary prosthetics on the day of surgery. The patient leaves the surgery with functional and aesthetic teeth within a few hours.
Advantages of All-on-4
The All-on-4 method brings a number of advantages:
- Fast result – possibility of immediate tooth replacement.
- Less invasiveness – only four implants are needed for the entire arch.
- Saving time and money – shorter treatment and fewer implants reduce overall costs.
- Fixed fixation – the bridge is stable, does not move like a removable prosthesis.
- Aesthetics – the resulting appearance is very natural.
- Functionality – the patient can bite and speak without any problems.
Who is the method suitable for?
All-on-4 is intended for patients who:
- Are toothless or have teeth in such poor condition that they need to be removed.
- Want to avoid wearing removable dentures.
- Have limited bone volume but want to avoid complex reconstructive procedures.
- Want a quick and long-term solution.
Treatment process
All-on-4 treatment is performed in several steps:
- Consultation and examination – the dentist will perform an X-ray or 3D CT scan to assess the condition of the bone and plan the exact placement of the implants.
- Procedure planning – the position of the implants is determined, and a prosthetic solution is proposed.
- Surgical phase – four implants are inserted under local or general anesthesia.
- Temporary bridge placement – in most cases, the same day.
- Healing and osseointegration – takes approximately 3-6 months, during which the implants fuse firmly with the bone.
- Permanent restoration placement – after complete healing, the final, durable bridge is fabricated and fixed.
Risks and limitations
As with any surgical procedure, there are potential risks – such as infection, healing problems, or failure of implant integration. Smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, or severe general illness can negatively affect success. Therefore, a thorough preoperative examination and adherence to the doctor's recommendations after the procedure are necessary.
In Conclusion
All-on-4 is a modern and effective way to replace all teeth using a minimum number of implants. It offers a fast, aesthetic, and functional result that significantly improves the patient's quality of life. The possibility of obtaining new teeth in a single day and the absence of complex bone surgeries make this method one of the most sought-after in current dental implantology.