All on 4

A fixed solution for replacing a full set of teeth.

What are All on 4 Dental Implants

All on 4 is a treatment used to replace a full set of missing or failing teeth in the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both.

Rather than placing one implant for every missing tooth, four dental implants are used to support a fixed bridge of replacement teeth. The two front implants are generally placed upright, while the two implants toward the back are placed at an angle to make use of the available jawbone.

A full set of teeth is then secured to the implants. The teeth function together as one fixed bridge.

Unlike removable dentures, All on 4 teeth stay securely in place. There is nothing to take out or soak, and they are designed to remain stable while you eat, speak and smile.

The All on 4 treatment concept has been used in clinical practice since the late 1990s and has been documented in clinical research for more than 20 years.

Research shows high success rates, with around 95%–98% of implants still functioning after 10 years in many studies. A large long-term study of 245 patients reported a success rate of about 94.8% over 10 years.

 

SIGNS YOU MAY BE SUITABLE FOR ALL ON 4

These are not clinical findings, but they are worth acknowledging, because they are the reasons most people ultimately decide to seek treatment.

Everyday Signs

You avoid certain foods

Steak, apples, crusty bread, corn on the cob, chocolates. Foods that used to be simple. If your teeth or dentures have quietly changed what you eat over the years, that’s a real quality-of-life issue.

You've changed how you smile

Covering your mouth when you laugh. Smiling with your lips closed. Feeling self-conscious in photos or at work. Many people develop these habits gradually often without noticing how much it’s affected them until they stop.

You've spent more time in the chair than you'd like

If you’ve been through extractions, root canals, crowns, repairs, and adjustments and still don’t have teeth that feel stable and functional, that cycle is worth reflecting on.

Benefits of All on 4 Dental Implants

Temporary teeth within 24 hours
Where clinically appropriate, temporary teeth may be attached on or shortly after the day of implant placement.

Fixed in place
The bridge is secured to the dental implants and does not rely on suction or adhesive to remain in position.

Greater stability when eating and speaking
Once healing is complete, fixed implant-supported teeth may feel more stable than removable dentures during everyday activities.

Helps support the jawbone
When teeth are missing, the jawbone can gradually shrink because it no longer receives stimulation from the tooth roots. Dental implants transfer chewing forces into the jawbone, which may help maintain bone around the implant sites.

Designed for ongoing use
With appropriate home care, professional maintenance and regular dental reviews, implant-supported teeth are designed to function over the long term.

Clinical Signs

People generally start looking into All on 4 for a few common reasons.

It may be appropriate if you have lost most or all of your teeth, are living with a denture that has become loose or uncomfortable, or have been through repeated dental treatment such as extractions, root canals, crowns, and repairs, without reaching a stable long-term result.

Gum Disease

Loose or wobbly teeth

Teeth that move when touched, particularly multiple teeth, indicate significant bone loss from gum disease. Teeth in this condition typically cannot be saved and will require extraction.

 

Periodontal Disease

Receding gums

When gum disease eats away the bone holding your teeth in place, your gums shrink back and roots become exposed. Teeth start to shift and spread apart. At this stage, the damage is too far advanced to repair reliably.

Chronic Infection

Repeated infections or abscesses

Repeated dental infections, toothache, or facial swelling are signs that teeth may be beyond saving with conventional treatment. If you find yourself managing repeated pain, a comprehensive assessment may be warranted.

Structural Failure

Broken & heavily decayed teeth

Teeth without enough remaining structure can’t support a crown, bridge, or filling. Where multiple teeth are in this state, All on 4 is often more practical and more predictable than treating each tooth individually.

Denture Failure

Ill-fitting denture

A denture that has become loose, requires frequent adjustment, or feels different from when it was first made is responding to ongoing bone loss beneath it. A fixed alternative may be appropriate.

Long-Term Tooth Loss

Multiple missing teeth

When multiple teeth have been absent for years and the jawbone has shrunk significantly, All on 4 is designed to work with the bone you already have — implants angled to avoid areas of low volume, eliminating the need for grafting in most cases.

The Step by Step Treatment Process

The process involves careful planning across assessment, surgery and laboratory design.

Step 1: Smile Consultation & Treatment Planning

Your first appointment focuses on understanding your needs and assessing whether treatment may be suitable.


This includes:

  • whether All on 4 is suitable
  • how many implants may be required
  • whether additional procedures may be needed
  • expected treatment stages and recovery

Some may require more complex planning due to bone loss, infection, or previous dental treatment.

Post-Treatment Recovery Stages

Post-treatment recovery varies widely among individuals. Factors such as smoking history, pre-existing bone density, systemic conditions, and the number of arches treated concurrently all heavily influence individual healing timelines.

 

Day 1
Temporary teeth fitted before you leave, with full post-op instructions. Numbness as anaesthetic wears off.
Swelling begins, mild-moderate discomfort.
Rest, ice packs, hydration, medication as prescribed.

 

Week 1
Swelling/bruising peak days 2–3.
Bruising (cheeks, jaw, neck) settles over.


1–2 weeks
Soft-food diet required.
Many return to desk work in ~5–7 days.

 

Weeks 2–4
Visible healing largely settles.
Swelling reduced, energy returning.
Discomfort minimal.
Still avoid hard, crunchy, or chewy foods

 

Months 2–3
Implants fuse with the jawbone beneath the surface.
Little visible change, but healing is active.
Temporary teeth remain in place.
Oral hygiene and diet care still essential.

 

Months 3–6
Once healing is confirmed, we begin planning your final teeth.
Scans, impressions, bite assessment.
Smile refinements where needed.
Final teeth are fitted.

 

Care that stays with you

Clear guidance, ongoing support, and someone to turn to at every stage.

All on 4 FAQs

Your journey starts here.

Book a consultation and we’ll talk through your options together.