What is the best material for All on 4 Dental Implants?

If you’re researching All on 4 treatment, you’ve probably noticed the process involves two very different sets of teeth; a temporary set fitted on day one, and a final set fitted months later. In dentistry, each of these sets is called a prosthesis: the visible, replacement teeth attached to your implants, as opposed to the implants themselves, which sit beneath the gum. Understanding why there are two, and what each prosthesis is made from, makes the timeline and the trade-offs a lot easier to follow.

Two Stages, Two Sets of Teeth

All on 4 treatment involves two distinct sets of prosthesis: a temporary set fitted within 24 hours of surgery, and a permanent final set fitted around 3 to 6 months later, once healing is complete. The temporary set restores function and appearance while the implants integrate with the jawbone. The final set is the long-term result.

Temporary Teeth: Materials and What to Expect

A temporary All on 4 prosthesis are made from either 3D-printed ceramic-filled resin or PMMA acrylic. Both are lightweight, designed to minimise pressure on healing implants during the 3 to 6 month healing period. Which one is used often comes down to cost, durability, and aesthetic priorities.

3D-Printed Resin

3D-printed resin is designed before surgery from your planned smile design, so it’s ready to fit on surgery day. It’s generally the more affordable temporary option, though it has lower fracture resistance and a less natural appearance than PMMA. Most people wear it for 3 to 6 months during healing, before moving on to their final set.

PMMA Acrylic

PMMA is also fabricated before surgery and fitted on the day of surgery, but it’s stronger than 3D-printed resin and tends to closely resemble the look of final teeth. It typically costs more than resin, and many people find it more comfortable and natural-looking through the healing period.

Final Teeth: Materials and Longevity

Your final prosthesis is fitted about 3 to 6 months after surgery, once the implants have integrated with the bone. This is your permanent, long-term prosthesis.

Acrylic-Hybrid

Acrylic-hybrid prostheses combine a precision-milled titanium frame with individual acrylic or composite teeth. Because each tooth is a separate piece, individual teeth can often be repaired or replaced without needing to replace the entire prosthesis.
This option is generally valued for a natural appearance, good biocompatibility, and a lighter feel than zirconia. The trade-off is that the acrylic surface is more prone to staining and wear over time, and tends to need more regular maintenance to keep it looking and functioning well.

Zirconia

Zirconia is a strong, tooth-coloured ceramic that’s digitally milled for precision. It resists staining well and is generally well tolerated by gums and bone. Zirconia is heavier than acrylic-hybrid, and repairs are more involved, because it’s milled as a single piece, a crack or chip typically means replacing the full prosthesis rather than a single tooth, which can cost around $9,000–$12,000 AUD.

Which Material Is Right for You?

Both materials are well-established options in implant dentistry, and the right choice usually comes down to a few factors specific to you:

• Clinical factors — bite force, jaw dimensions, and bone support
• Aesthetics — translucency, colour matching, and smile design
• Budget — full cost transparency discussed at consultation
• Repairability — a preference for individual tooth repair versus the strength of a one-piece design

This is worth discussing directly with your dentist at consultation, since the right fit depends on your individual case.

The Titanium Bar: Structural Foundation

Every final All on 4 prosthesis contains a custom titanium bar, designed from your exact implant positions. It’s what gives the prosthesis a precise fit, helps distribute bite force evenly across the implants, and forms the structural backbone supporting the final teeth.

How Long Do All on 4 Teeth Last?

Implant fixture

The implant fixtures (the titanium screws) are generally the longest-lasting component of an All on 4 result, often functioning for years with good maintenance.

The screws are placed into the jawbone. They are not visible and sit entirely beneath the gum line.

At Kita Dental, we use Straumann BLX and Neodent implant systems. Both are supported by published clinical research, although the available follow-up periods vary between specific implant models and treatment types.

More broadly, a systematic review of dental implant studies reported an estimated implant survival rate of approximately 96.4% after 10 years.[1] This figure applies to dental implants generally and does not guarantee the outcome of an individual treatment.

With successful bone integration, good oral hygiene and regular professional maintenance, dental implants are designed to provide long-term function.

All on 4 Prosthesis

The final prosthesis is the visible set of replacement teeth attached to the implants. Because it is exposed to everyday chewing forces, it is more likely than the implants themselves to require maintenance, repair or replacement over time.

How long it lasts depends on the material used, your bite, oral hygiene and ongoing care. Wear, staining or occasional chipping may occur, and some components may need attention sooner than others.

For definitions of all implant components read more here.

References

1. Pinheiro-Neto H, et al. (2021). Computer-assisted implant placement and full-arch immediate loading with digitally prefabricated PMMA provisional prostheses. PubMed PMID: 34486078. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34486078/
2. Abdulrahim KN. (2021). Comparison of strength of milled and conventionally processed PMMA complete-arch implant-supported interim fixed prostheses. Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry PMID: 34158174. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34158174/
3. Abuduwaili K, et al. (2025). Comparison of photogrammetric imaging, intraoral scanning and conventional impression accuracy of full-arch dental implant rehabilitation. PMC. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12093893/
4. MDPI Prosthesis. (2023). The Success and Complications of Complete-Arch Implant-Supported Fixed Monolithic Zirconia Restorations: A Systematic Review. Prosthesis 5(2), 425–436. https://www.mdpi.com/2673-1592/5/2/29
5. Suárez-García MJ, et al. (2020). Wear in Antagonist Teeth Produced by Monolithic Zirconia Crowns: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. PMC. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7231268/
6. Bidra AS, et al. (2016). Complete-arch implant-supported monolithic zirconia fixed dental prostheses: A systematic review. Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry PMID: 26809220. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26809220/
7. Digital Full-Arch Implant-Supported PMMA Interim Prosthesis: A Practice-Based Cohort Study on Survival and Quality of Life. PubMed PMID: 37824125. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37824125/
8. Implant-Supported PMMA Monolithic Full-Arch Rehabilitation with Surgical Computer-Planned Guide and Immediate Provisional. PMC. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5902124/
9. Papaspyridakos P, et al. (2021). Complete-Arch Implant-Supported Monolithic Zirconia Fixed Dental Prostheses: An Updated Systematic Review. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/350471505

Written by Dr Kent Boon

13th October 2026

All on X treatments at Kita Dental are led by Dr Kent, Principal Dentist and Implantologist, who holds a Master of Oral Implantology. Kita Dental is a dental clinic located in Mascot, NSW, with a strong focus on dental implants.

This article is general information only and is not a substitute for personalised advice from a registered dental practitioner. Outcomes vary from patient to patient.