All-on-4 Implants: No More Dentures

The All-on-4 Solution

All-on-4 implants are similar to traditional dental implants. Unlike with conventional dental implants, however, the dentist only needs to place a total of four implants in each jawbone to replace all the teeth of a specific row. Traditional dental implants can require up to eight implants in each jawbone to replace a full set of teeth. Furthermore, the recovery time for traditional dental implants can take up to eight months. Getting the All-on-4 implant can speed up the recovery time and lessen the pain.

Dental implants have been in use since the 1970s and 1980s. Dr. Paulo Malo developed the All-on-4 treatment method with straight and angled multi-unit abutments in 1998, effectively transforming a procedure that used to take four to six months to complete into a single-day procedure (even when including extraction).

Causes and Effects of Tooth Loss

According to WebMD, tooth loss is a common but not inevitable part of aging. Tooth loss can occur from an accident, such as a slip or fall that knocks out one or more teeth. Injuries such as hard blows to the face from playing sports or being involved in a vehicle accident could dislodge teeth as well. Over time, excessive decay or gum disease can compromise a tooth's structure and effectiveness. Teeth may wear down, fall out, or a dental professional may have to pull them.

Extreme tooth decay can cause severe pain and irritation. Aesthetically, a toothless smile can have emotional implications on a patient. Other effects of missing or damaged teeth include:

Sensitivity to certain foods and beverages: When a patient has large cavities or failing teeth, it can be challenging to consume hot or cold food and drinks.
Discomfort in the gum area: Patients who have no teeth may have trouble eating and speaking. Some may find wearing a complete set of dentures less comfortable.
Social discomfort: Patients who are missing teeth may avoid smiling or even being out in social settings.

All of these effects can significantly impact a person's quality of life. Luckily, there are many tooth replacement options. Our team can help patients determine if All-on-4 is the right solution for them.

Is All-on-4 Right for You?

All-on-4 may be right for patients who have lost all or most of their teeth. It may also be a good choice for patients who need to have all of their teeth removed or those who have experienced bone loss.

Advantages of All-on-4 Implants

Since the titanium in the All-on-4 implants can fuse with the jawbone, they may last longer than other tooth-replacement options. Other benefits of All-on-4 implants include:

A replacement option that is sturdier than other removable artificial teeth
Easier to clean than removable tooth-replacement options
Only needing to insert four implants into the jaw for an entire row of teeth
The ability for patients to eat foods they love without too much restriction

Disadvantages of All-on-4 Implants

While highly uncommon, All-on-4 implants may occasionally fail. This happens when the bone grows improperly around the implanted screw. In addition, some patients may experience:

A difficulty in speech
Tender gums and difficulty eating during the healing process

All-on-4 vs. Traditional Dentures

Patients replacing a full arch of teeth often weigh All-on-4 against traditional removable dentures. Both restore a complete smile, but they work very differently day to day. The right choice depends on your budget, bone health, and how you want your replacement teeth to feel and function.

	All-on-4 Implants	Traditional Dentures
Stability	Fixed permanently to four implants; does not move	Removable; can slip or shift while eating or speaking
Bone health	Implants stimulate the jaw and help prevent bone loss	Do not prevent the bone loss that follows tooth loss
Daily care	Brush and clean like natural teeth; no overnight soaking	Removed nightly, soaked, and cleaned separately
Eating	Restores most chewing strength for a wide range of foods	Limited bite force; some foods remain difficult
Upfront cost	Higher initial investment, longer lifespan	Lower upfront cost, periodic relines and replacement

For patients who want a permanent, low-maintenance result that feels close to natural teeth, All-on-4 is often the stronger long-term choice. For those comparing every option, our team can also walk you through implant-supported dentures, which sit between removable dentures and a fully fixed All-on-4 restoration.

Caring for All-on-4

All-on-4 is a clinically proven means of replacing all teeth, with one study verifying that they have a survival rate of 99.2% with up to 10 years of follow-up. Additionally, the treatment has over 18 years of proven clinical success. However, they still require the same care as natural teeth.

To prevent plaque from building up on the implants and causing gum disease, we encourage our patients to brush at least twice a day for two to three minutes each time. It is essential to clean the gum line as well. It is helpful to use a gum stimulator to remove any food at the base of the gum, since the crown of the implant does not fit as tightly against the gumline as a natural tooth and food can get stuck there.

The Process of Getting All-on-4

On the day of the oral surgery, we will prep the patient. The patient will be asleep during the procedure, and the type of sedation we use will vary per patient. We will go over these options during the consultation. Once the patient is asleep, we will remove any teeth or gum tissue that we need to.

Our dentist will place two implants at the back of the jaw, with one on either side; the other two implants will be placed near the front of the jaw so all four can evenly support the new teeth. After the surgery, our dentist will place the teeth over the implants. The entire procedure takes about one to two and a half hours. After completing the procedure, we will wait for the patient to wake up and ensure that everything is functioning correctly.

How Much Do All-on-4 Implants Cost in Rego Park?

One of the first questions patients ask is what All-on-4 will cost. The honest answer is that it varies, because the final price depends on several factors unique to each patient:

One arch or both: Replacing a single arch (upper or lower) costs less than a full-mouth restoration of both.
Extractions and preparation: If failing teeth need to be removed first, that adds to the treatment.
Materials: The type of final bridge and implant components affects the total.
Sedation: The level of sedation used during surgery is factored in.

While All-on-4 is a larger upfront investment than removable dentures, it is designed to last for many years and helps protect the jawbone, which can make it more cost-effective over time. As an established implant dentist in Rego Park, NY, we believe in clear, upfront pricing. We also offer financing options and will review your dental insurance benefits with you so you know exactly what to expect before treatment begins. Call (718) 897-3434 for a personalized estimate.

Recovery and Healing Timeline

One of the biggest advantages of All-on-4 is that patients leave their surgery with a full set of temporary teeth the same day. Full healing, however, happens in stages:

First 48 hours: Mild swelling and soreness are normal. Stick to cool liquids and rest. Any prescribed medication helps keep discomfort manageable.
First two weeks: Follow a liquid and soft-food diet while the gums settle. Most patients return to normal daily activities within a few days.
Three to six months: The implants fuse with the jawbone through a process called osseointegration. The temporary bridge stays in place during this time.
Final restoration: Once healing is complete, we place your permanent, custom-made bridge over the integrated implants.

Throughout recovery, we stay in close contact and schedule follow-up visits to confirm everything is healing as it should. Good home care during this period, as covered in our post-op care guidance, makes a real difference in the long-term success of the implants.