All-on-4® offers a streamlined pathway for adults missing most or all of their teeth to leave the clinic with a secure, functioning set of teeth the same day as implant placement. Rather than replacing each tooth individually, this approach uses four strategically positioned dental implants to support a full-arch prosthesis, restoring the ability to speak and eat with confidence. For many patients, the transformation is both functional and emotional — a return to normal daily life without the hassles of loose dentures.
The treatment is designed to minimize surgical complexity while maximizing immediate results. By angling the back implants and placing two anterior implants vertically, clinicians can achieve strong support using fewer implants and often avoid extensive bone grafting. That combination of predictable engineering and careful planning makes the same-day outcome possible while maintaining a focus on long-term stability.
At Flossophy Dental, our team approaches All-on-4 as a coordinated process that blends high-resolution diagnostics, surgical precision, and prosthetic expertise. Each case begins with a detailed assessment so patients understand the timeline, the nature of the provisional prosthesis they’ll receive on the day of surgery, and the steps involved in completing their permanent restoration once healing is well underway.
The All-on-4 concept relies on both implant positioning and prosthetic design to create a durable, balanced bite. Two implants are placed in the front of the jaw where bone quantity and quality are typically greater, and two angled implants secure the rear of the arch. This arrangement distributes chewing forces across the arch and creates immediate stability for a fixed provisional prosthesis.
Modern imaging—such as cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT)—guides precise implant placement, allowing the surgical team to map anatomy, identify nerves and sinuses, and determine the best trajectories for each implant. Prosthetic planning happens in tandem: a laboratory or in-office team designs a temporary prosthesis that will be comfortable and functional during the healing phase while preserving esthetics.
Because the provisional is supported by implants rather than soft tissue alone, patients experience a level of function that is far closer to natural teeth than traditional removable dentures. Over time, once osseointegration (the process by which bone bonds to the implants) is complete, the provisional can be replaced with a definitive prosthesis crafted for optimal durability, appearance, and bite alignment.
The path to an All-on-4 restoration begins with a focused consultation. Diagnostic records typically include dental imaging, a review of medical history, and an oral exam to evaluate gum and bone health. From these records, the clinician develops a customized plan that outlines the surgical approach, the role of any necessary extractions, and the provisional restoration design.
On the day of surgery, patients are supported by a team trained in patient comfort and safety. Sedation options vary by clinic and patient preference, and the surgical phase generally involves placing the implants and securing the provisional prosthesis to those implants. Because the provisional is affixed the same day, most patients walk out with a functional set of teeth and a clear postoperative plan.
Recovery focuses on healing and adaptation. Early postoperative instructions address diet modifications, oral hygiene, and activity levels to support bone healing around the implants. Follow-up visits allow the team to monitor integration, make any necessary adjustments to the provisional, and plan the transition to a permanent prosthesis once the implants are fully stable.
Long-term success depends on a combination of professional follow-up and routine home care. Implant-supported arches require regular dental visits to evaluate soft tissue health, check implant stability, and clean areas that are difficult to reach with daily brushing and flossing. Your clinician will recommend a maintenance schedule tailored to your needs and the type of prosthesis you receive.
Hygiene techniques for full-arch prostheses can include specialized brushes, interdental cleaners, and water flossers to remove plaque around implant abutments and beneath the prosthesis. Some patients will have a detachable overdenture-style solution that allows for easier access during cleaning, while others receive a fixed hybrid prosthesis that requires access under flanges; either approach benefits from clear, personalized hygiene instruction.
Regular monitoring also helps protect supporting bone and soft tissues. Routine radiographs and clinical checks identify early signs of wear, loosening, or peri-implant inflammation so that small issues can be managed before they affect long-term outcomes. With consistent care, many patients enjoy decades of reliable function from implant-supported full-arch restorations.
All-on-4 is a strong option for adults who have lost most or all of their teeth or who face extraction of multiple teeth due to decay, periodontal disease, or trauma. Ideal candidates are committed to follow-up care and maintaining good oral hygiene. Certain medical conditions or habits—such as uncontrolled diabetes or heavy smoking—can affect healing and implant success, so candidacy is assessed on an individual basis.
A comprehensive evaluation by a qualified dental team is the only way to determine whether All-on-4 is appropriate. During that evaluation, your clinician will review medical and dental history, evaluate bone volume and gum health, and discuss alternative options when indicated. The goal is to match the right treatment to your oral health status and personal goals for function and appearance.
Choosing this path means partnering with a clinical team experienced in implant surgery and prosthetic rehabilitation. When you’re ready to explore whether All-on-4 can restore your smile and simplify your daily routine, schedule a consultation to review your personalized treatment plan and the steps involved in moving from provisional teeth to a long-term restoration.
1All-on-4 is a registered trademark of Nobel Biocare.
To learn more about this treatment option and whether it fits your needs, contact Flossophy Dental for more information.
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 treatment that uses four strategically placed implants to support a fixed prosthesis for an entire upper or lower dental arch. Unlike individual tooth implants, which replace teeth one by one, All-on-4 is designed to restore a complete set of teeth using fewer implants and a single prosthetic arch. The approach often allows patients to receive a provisional, fixed prosthesis on the day of surgery for immediate function and esthetics.
The technique emphasizes implant placement and prosthetic planning together so the temporary restoration provides balanced bite and speech right away. Posterior implants are frequently angled to engage better-quality bone and reduce the need for extensive bone grafting. Over time, the provisional is replaced with a definitive prosthesis once implants have integrated and soft tissues have stabilized.
Good candidates are adults who are missing most or all of their teeth or who require multiple extractions and desire a fixed, implant-supported solution. Candidates should be committed to follow-up care and able to maintain oral hygiene; clinicians will also evaluate medical factors that can influence healing, such as diabetes control, immune status, and tobacco use. A thorough clinical exam and imaging are required to confirm sufficient bone and to rule out conditions that could compromise implant integration.
Candidacy is determined on an individual basis after a review of medical and dental history, radiographs or CBCT scans, and intraoral evaluation. When concerns about bone volume exist, clinicians will discuss whether angulated implant placement can avoid grafting or whether additional procedures are advisable. The primary goal is to recommend the safest, most predictable treatment that meets the patient’s functional and esthetic goals.
Implant placement for All-on-4 combines surgical precision with prosthetic-driven planning so the implants optimally support the arch. Typically, two anterior implants are placed more vertically in areas with denser bone while two posterior implants are tilted to engage available bone and to reduce cantilever length on the prosthesis. Angling the posterior implants often allows clinicians to avoid anatomical structures such as the maxillary sinuses or the mental foramen and can reduce the need for grafting procedures.
Modern imaging, particularly cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), is used to map bone anatomy and identify critical landmarks before surgery. Guided surgical protocols or custom surgical guides are frequently employed to translate the digital plan into accurate implant positioning. Prosthetic considerations are coordinated in advance so the temporary restoration can be attached in a way that distributes forces and supports soft tissues during healing.
On the day of surgery you will meet the surgical team for final checks, and sedation options will be reviewed and administered according to your plan and medical history. The surgical phase may include extractions, preparation of implant sites, placement of the implants, and attachment of a provisional fixed prosthesis to those implants. Because the provisional is supported by implants, most patients leave the clinic with a secure, functional set of teeth rather than a removable denture.
After the procedure you will receive detailed postoperative instructions covering diet, oral hygiene, activity restrictions, and medications to manage pain and support healing. Initial follow-up appointments are scheduled to monitor healing, verify implant stability, and make any necessary adjustments to the provisional. Clear communication with the clinical team helps ensure a smooth recovery and timely planning for the final restoration.
Healing after implant placement involves osseointegration, the process by which bone bonds to the implant surface, and this typically takes several months depending on individual biology and clinical factors. During this period the provisional prosthesis provides function and esthetics while the implants integrate. Clinicians schedule periodic evaluations to assess implant stability, soft tissue health, and the condition of the provisional restoration.
The timing for the definitive prosthesis varies with each case but commonly occurs after sufficient osseointegration and soft tissue maturation, often between three and six months. At that point the laboratory or restorative team fabricates a final prosthesis designed for long-term durability, esthetics, and optimal occlusion. Your clinician will explain the specific timeline for your case and the milestones that must be met before the permanent restoration is placed.
All surgical procedures carry risks, and All-on-4 is no exception; potential complications include infection, implant failure, nerve irritation, sinus involvement when working in the upper jaw, and peri-implant inflammation. Risk factors such as uncontrolled systemic disease, tobacco use, poor oral hygiene, and certain medications can increase the likelihood of complications. Careful diagnosis, surgical technique, and postoperative care are essential to minimize these risks.
Early detection and management are important if problems arise, so routine follow-up and maintenance are part of the treatment protocol. Clinicians monitor soft tissue health, probe for signs of inflammation, and take radiographs when indicated to check bone levels and implant position. When issues are identified early, conservative measures or targeted interventions often preserve implant and prosthesis function.
Daily hygiene for an implant-supported arch combines thorough brushing with cleaning under and around the prosthesis using interdental brushes, floss designed for implants, and optional adjuncts such as water flossers. Fixed hybrid prostheses may have areas under flanges that require special attention, while overdenture-style solutions that are removable allow for easier access during home cleaning. Establishing a consistent routine reduces bacterial buildup and supports healthy soft tissues around the implants.
In addition to home care, patients need regular professional maintenance visits so the dental team can remove deposits, inspect connection components, and evaluate soft tissue and bone health. The clinician will recommend a personalized maintenance schedule based on the type of prosthesis, soft-tissue response, and any risk factors present. Routine maintenance and prompt attention to changes in fit, bite, or comfort help extend the life of the restoration.
All-on-4 can be performed in both the maxilla (upper jaw) and mandible (lower jaw), though anatomical differences influence planning and prognosis. The upper jaw often has less dense bone and closer proximity to the sinuses, so clinicians carefully assess bone quality and may use angulated implants or other techniques to maximize stability. In many cases, the All-on-4 approach reduces or eliminates the need for extensive bone grafting by using available bone strategically.
Bone grafting becomes necessary when bone volume is insufficient to achieve primary stability or to support long-term implant integration, particularly in severely resorbed ridges. Your clinician will use CBCT imaging and clinical evaluation to determine whether grafting or alternative implant strategies are required. The treatment plan will outline any preparatory procedures and how they affect the overall timeline toward a final restoration.
With proper care and regular professional maintenance, implant-supported full-arch restorations can provide many years of reliable function, and many patients enjoy long-term success. Longevity depends on factors such as implant integration, prosthetic material quality, occlusal forces, and patient habits like bruxism or tobacco use. Regular monitoring of bone levels, soft tissues, and prosthetic components allows clinicians to address wear or complications early.
Prosthetic components may require periodic maintenance or eventual replacement due to wear, fracture, or changes in oral conditions, but the underlying implants can remain stable for decades when supported by good hygiene and follow-up care. A collaborative approach between the patient and the dental team—covering home care, professional cleanings, and timely adjustments—maximizes the chances of a long-lasting outcome.
To begin, schedule a consultation at Flossophy’s Bourbonnais, IL office where the team will conduct a medical and dental history review, an oral exam, and appropriate imaging such as CBCT when indicated. Bring a list of current medications, relevant medical records, and any prior dental imaging or restorative records you have available; this information helps the clinician evaluate bone condition, prior treatments, and potential risks. During the visit the clinician will discuss your goals, explain the All-on-4 workflow, and outline diagnostic steps needed to develop a personalized treatment plan.
The consultation is also an opportunity to review sedation options, expected recovery steps, and the provisional-to-definitive prosthesis process so you understand each phase of care. Your clinician will answer clinical questions, describe follow-up appointments, and provide written preoperative and postoperative instructions tailored to your situation. When you leave the consultation, you should have a clear understanding of the proposed plan and the next steps toward restoring function and esthetics with an implant-supported full-arch solution.
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Contacting Flossophy Dental is easy! Our friendly staff is available to assist you with scheduling appointments, answering inquiries about treatment options, and addressing any concerns you may have. Whether you prefer to give us a call, send us an email, or fill out our convenient online contact form, we're here to help. Don't wait to take the first step towards achieving the smile of your dreams – reach out to us today and discover the difference personalized dental care can make.
