All-on-4™ Teeth in a day

With the All on 4™ concept it is possible to achieve a new smile and a bite comparable to natural teeth in just one day. The technique was originallly developed to offer patients who had experienced total tooth loss an efficient treatment concept using only four dental implants to support a full arch of teeth. This advanced technique reduces the number of dental implants required to restore an entire arch of teeth and enables permanent teeth to be fitted to dental implants on the same day of implant placement.

In the past, traditional fixed full arch dental implant techniques required 6-10 implants with a long period of healing where the bridge couldn't be fixed to the implants. Extensive bone grafting for implant placement was often required. All on 4™ is different because you can have a full arch of replacement teeth in just one day with as little as four dental implants. Pioneered by a Portuguese Dentist, Dr. Paulo Malo, the technique offers patients the chance to have a fixed bridge placed quickly, using the minimum amount of dental implants and avoiding the need for extensive bone grafts.

The configuration and position of the implants along the jawbone once braced together with the fixed bridge helps distribute the chewing forces transmitted from the arches of teeth to the jawbone. Two of the dental implants are placed vertically in the front of the jawbone while the other two implants are placed and tilted up to 45° at the back of the jaw, which means less bone is needed.

Patients who chose the All on 4™ procedure report the following advantages -

The full arch of teeth can be cared for and cleaned just like natural teeth. The arch of teeth cannot be removed so there is no need to remove a denture after meals
The full arch of permanent teeth feels just like our natural teeth
You can taste your food more, as the full arch of upper teeth does not cover the roof of your mouth
Your can chew and bite food how you like and you can choose to eat the foods you previously could not and experience a more varied diet for healthier living
Its a long term solution and will last for decades or a persons lifetime if looked after correctly

Whilst procedures may vary for patient to patient, the following is an indication of the stages of treatment using All on 4™.

Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5

By attending an initial consultation with an Implant Dentist you can discuss your suitability for treatment and begin to understand what a difference the treatment could make to your life. You should ask as many questions that you can. Many practices offer free consultations.

Following your initial consultation you can expect to undergo a CT scan and diagnostics so that the Implant Dentist can prepare a highly accurate and predictable digital 3D image of the whole procedure including virtual implant placement.

If you are a candidate for All-on-4™ then you should expect to be provided with detailed treatment plan including all costs. Once you have consented to treatment you will then attend your first appointment where the jawbone is prepared by your Implant Dentist according to the All-on-4™ technique. A minimum of four dental implants will be inserted with the implants at the back of your jawbone placed at an angle.

A provisional arch of teeth will then be secured to the dental implants by the Implant Dentist. After which you should be given the time you need to rest in a relaxation area. Within only a few hours you will be able to go home with a new smile*.

Once your dental implants are fully integrated into your jaw, after approximately three to six months your final fixed bridge will be fitted by the Implant Dentist.

*You will be required to attend the reviews and post-operative consultations.

All-on-4™ is a registered trademark of Nobel Biocare.

Interviews With Our All-on-4 Experts

Carl Manhem

United Smile Centres,
Lister House,
11-12 Wimpole Street,
London,
W1G 9ST
Tel: 0800 8 49 49 59

Nigel Rosenbaum

Peak Implant Clinic
41 Bank Road
Matlock
Derbyshire
DE4 3GL
Tel: 01629 584165

Read Carl's Interview

Read Nigel's Interview

Nigel Rosenbaum, Implant Dentist

Nigel is the principal Implant Dentist of a specialist dental practice where he undertakes implant and advanced restorative dentistry. Nigel's work involves treatment of patients who are missing one, several or all of their teeth. As well as implant-retained dentures Nigel has extensive experience in the use of the All on 4™ concept as a treatment choice to treat patients with the following issues -

Have loose dentures that affect their quality of life
Have severe periodontal gum disease and tooth loss
Have suffered loss of jawbone due to the loss of their teeth
Have failing crowns and bridges along with loose teeth that need extracting

What does All-on-4 mean?

This phrase is specific to a Nobel Biocare procedure for restoring a patient who has lost all their teeth, either upper or lower jaw (or both), using a well-documented technique. In principle, it relies on using only 4 dental implants to fix a full set of replacement teeth.

Why is this different?

All-on-4™ has been an amazing success for these patients and a significant breakthrough in implant dentistry. Traditionally a fixed replacement for missing teeth was only available by placing 8 dental implants, which enabled the dentist to fix four separate bridges, with each bridge supported by 2 implants. Whilst this may still be the best in a few rare cases, not all patients can afford such treatment, and an additional major benefit in providing a solution relying on only 4 implants, is that this type of case can be safely undertaken when there is less bone than traditionally required.

Can anyone benefit from the All-on-4 technique?

You would need to have a consultation with an Implant Dentist to determine your suitability. The good news is most people would be suitable and in fact with this technique using fewer implants more people will be suitable as a skilled Implant Dentist can use the available bone more effectively. If you do not have enough bone even for this technique then there are techniques for creating more bone.

How long does the process take?

This does depend on you really. You will read about people having their implants and a new bridge fitted at the same time. This is often a very good way to provide this technique. In some instances your Dentist may suggest you wait whilst the implants fix into the bone, this would take 3-4 months typically.

What do I actually get?

4 to 6 dental implants, some Dentist's use 6 implants in the upper jaw, as the bone is softer or if you have a really strong bite. The 'teeth' are high quality prosthetic teeth, embedded in high impact acrylic. Usually the bridge is a hybrid design with a milled titanium beam supporting the gum and teeth. This is screwed to the dental implants and can only be removed by the Dentist.

Can I use them as normal teeth?

Absolutely! There are no restrictions. All you need to do is clean them twice a day and see the Dentist for review, usually like natural teeth, twice a year.

What do you need help with?

Complete dentures
Partial dentures
Implant retained dentures
Dental implants
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