The All on 4 Treatment Process

What to expect, from consultation to your final teeth.

The Step by Step Treatment Journey

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.

Step 2: All on 4 Surgery Day

For those suitable, surgery is generally completed in a single day.

Treatment commonly involves:

local anaesthetic and IV sedation
removal of failing teeth (if required)
management of infection where present
placement of dental implants in the upper and/or lower jaw

Your treating team may include your dentist, surgical support staff, and an anaesthetist where sedation is used.

Procedure length varies depending on clinical complexity and the number of arches treated.

You will receive personalised post-operative instructions before leaving the clinic.

Step 3: Temporary Teeth Within 24 Hours

One of the distinguishing features of All on 4 treatment is the ability for many patients to receive a temporary fixed set of teeth shortly after implant placement.

Digital scans are taken following surgery and your temporary teeth are fabricated for fitting, typically within 24 hours.

These temporary teeth are designed to:

restore appearance during healing
support speech and function
protect implants while healing occurs

Temporary teeth are not your final set and have functional limitations during recovery.

A soft-food diet remains important during this phase.

Step 4: Healing & Post-Surgery Review

Regular reviews are completed during healing to assess:

implant integration
gum healing
bite alignment
comfort and aesthetics

Generally you return approximately two weeks after surgery for review and adjustment of the temporary teeth, if required.

Feedback about tooth shape, speech, comfort, and appearance may also help guide refinement of the final prosthesis.

Appointment schedules vary depending on individual healing.

Step 5: Final Teeth

After healing has taken place, usually 3–6 months later, impressions and records are taken for your final teeth.

At this stage:

the temporary teeth are removed
final impressions and scans are completed
the final teeth are fitted
long-term maintenance instructions are reviewed

Healing timelines vary, and upper and lower arches may progress differently.

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

Long-Term Maintenance and Care

Dental implants are synthetic structures anchored in living tissue; they are not immune to biological complications. Long-term treatment success relies directly on rigorous daily home care and professional clinical monitoring.

At-Home Oral Hygiene

It is necessary to maintain a meticulous daily routine to prevent bacterial accumulation beneath the bridge:

•⁠ ⁠Brushing: twice-daily cleaning using a specialised soft-bristled toothbrush or an electric toothbrush.
•⁠ ⁠Interdental Cleaning: daily use of a water flosser, and interdental brushes designed specifically for cleaning under the bridge.

Professional Maintenance

Regular reviews are recommended every 6 to 12 months based on individual risk profiles. During these appointments, your clinician will:

•⁠ ⁠Evaluate the structural stability of the underlying implants and assess surrounding soft tissue health.
•⁠ ⁠Examine the prosthesis for structural wear, micro-fractures, or bite alignment shifts.
•⁠ ⁠Perform professional cleaning to remove plaque and tartar buildup.

Disclaimer: Inadequate oral hygiene can lead to peri-implantitis, an inflammatory disease that causes progressive bone loss around dental implants. If left unmanaged, peri-implantitis can lead to complete implant failure. Early stages are often asymptomatic and can only be detected via regular clinical examinations and diagnostic X-rays.

Care that stays with you

Care that stays
with you

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

When to call your clinic

•⁠ ⁠Severe or worsening pain that doesn’t respond to your prescribed medication after the first 3 days
•⁠ ⁠A sudden increase in facial swelling or redness after day 4
•⁠ ⁠A persistent bad taste, discharge, fever, or chills
•⁠ ⁠Continuous or heavy bleeding not controlled by gentle gauze pressure
•⁠ ⁠Any movement, clicking, or damage in your temporary bridge

Disclaimer: This page is intended for general information only and does not constitute dental advice. Treatment is only recommended following individual clinical assessment. All surgical and invasive procedures carry inherent risks. Individual treatment plans, timelines, and outcomes depend on your unique health profile, bone volume, and diagnostic findings.

All on 4 Treatment Process FAQs

How much discomfort should I expect after surgery?

Some discomfort after All on 4 Implant surgery is normal and expected. For most people, peak swelling and bruising occurs in the first three days and settles over the following week. This is generally well managed with the medications prescribed at your appointment.

Each person’s experience is a little different, but significant unmanageable pain is not typical and our team is contactable if anything concerns you during recovery.

How long does recovery take?

Most people feel comfortable returning to normal daily activities within a few days, with swelling and tenderness usually resolving within a week. Desk-based work is typically manageable within five to seven days; roles involving heavy physical exertion may need longer. The implants themselves take several months to fully integrate with the jawbone; a process we monitor through scheduled follow-up appointments. Once integration is confirmed, your final teeth are fitted.

How long do I need to eat soft food?

A soft food diet is maintained throughout the healing period, which is typically three to six months. This protects the implants while they integrate and is an important part of getting a good outcome. Your treating dentist will assess implant stability at your follow-up appointments and advise when it’s safe to return to normal textures.

Can I drive myself home after the procedure?

We do not recommend driving after you’ve had IV sedation. You’ll need someone to pick you up and stay with you over the next 24-hours while the effects wear off. If arranging a lift is difficult, let our team know and we can help with transport. We’ll also follow up with you the day after surgery to check in on your recovery.

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