All-on-4® is a restorative approach designed to replace a full upper or lower arch using just four dental implants to support a fixed prosthesis. The technique emphasizes stability and efficiency: by placing implants in specific locations and angles, clinicians can often avoid the need for extensive bone grafting and deliver a provisional bridge on the same day as surgery. For patients facing failing teeth or tired, unstable dentures, this means a predictable path back to comfortable chewing and a confident smile.
Patients frequently tell us that the change is not only physical but practical — they no longer wrestle with movement, adhesives, or the daily hassles that come with removable prostheses. The provisional set placed at the time of surgery restores appearance and basic function while the implants integrate with the jawbone. Because the initial prosthesis is secured to the implants, it feels and behaves much more like natural teeth compared with traditional dentures.
Every treatment begins with careful planning. The aim is to create a long-term solution that balances strength, esthetics, and oral health. At the office of Fay Hu General Dentistry, we combine clinical experience with advanced diagnostic tools to design prostheses that look natural and support healthy oral function throughout the healing process.
Successful All-on-4® care starts with a comprehensive evaluation. Modern imaging—especially cone beam CT (CBCT)—allows the surgical team to visualize bone volume, nerve positions, and sinus anatomy in three dimensions. This level of detail makes it possible to plan implant positions that maximize bone contact and avoid critical structures, often enabling angled posterior implants to gain better support in areas with limited vertical height.
Digital workflows also play an important role: intraoral scanning and virtual design help the team craft a prosthesis that fits the smile line and bite accurately. Guided surgical templates translate the digital plan to the operatory, increasing precision and reducing chair time. Once implants are placed, the provisional prosthesis is attached immediately, giving patients a stable, fixed set of teeth while osseointegration occurs.
When treatment is tailored to each patient's anatomy and goals, the result is a durable foundation for a final prosthesis that blends esthetics and function. The definitive bridge—made from durable restorative materials—can be delivered after healing is complete, offering long-term resilience and ease of maintenance.
All-on-4® is well suited to adults who are missing most or all of the teeth in an arch, those who have severely compromised teeth that are not good candidates for repair, and patients who find removable dentures uncomfortable or unstable. It is also an option for people who want a fixed, prosthetic solution with fewer implants and a streamlined surgical plan compared with some full-arch alternatives.
Medical history and oral health are important considerations. A thorough medical and dental review identifies conditions that may affect healing, and the treatment plan can be adapted accordingly. Factors such as bone quality, overall health, and hygiene habits influence timing and the type of prosthesis recommended, so candidacy is determined case by case during the diagnostic appointment.
Age alone is not a barrier; instead, the focus is on ensuring the patient is in a position to heal well and maintain long-term oral hygiene. For many patients, the opportunity to move from removable to fixed teeth is life-changing, improving nutrition, comfort, and daily confidence.
Replacing a full arch with an implant-supported bridge restores chewing efficiency more closely to natural teeth, which can expand dietary options and improve digestion. Implants transfer chewing forces to the jawbone, which helps preserve bone volume over time and reduces the progressive shrinkage commonly seen with long-term denture wear. Maintaining bone support also helps retain facial contours and keeps the prosthesis fitting predictably.
Speech and comfort often improve because a fixed prosthesis sits more securely in the mouth and does not cover the palate as many removable dentures do. This can make it easier to speak naturally and reduce the bulky sensation that some denture wearers experience. In addition, implant-supported restorations simplify daily care: regular brushing, flossing with appropriate aids, and professional maintenance appointments maintain oral health and prosthesis longevity.
From an oral-health perspective, removing compromised teeth and replacing them with a carefully planned implant bridge eliminates sources of infection and inflammation associated with failing dentition. The result is a healthier oral environment that supports long-term function and esthetics.
The process begins with a diagnostic visit that includes a clinical exam, radiographic imaging, and a review of overall health and treatment goals. From there, a personalized plan is developed that defines implant positions, prosthetic design, and the timeline for provisional and final restorations. Clear communication about each step helps patients arrive prepared and confident for surgery day.
On the day of surgery, sedative options and local anesthesia are used to ensure comfort. After implant placement, a provisional bridge is attached to provide immediate esthetics and basic function. Follow-up visits during the healing phase monitor osseointegration and oral tissues, and any necessary adjustments to the provisional prosthesis are made to support tissue healing and patient comfort.
Once healing is complete and the implants have integrated, the definitive prosthesis is fabricated and delivered. Long-term success depends on regular hygiene care at home and periodic professional maintenance visits to check implant health, occlusion, and prosthetic integrity. With the right planning and follow-up, All-on-4® can offer reliable function and a natural-looking smile for many years.
At Fay Hu General Dentistry, our team guides patients through each stage with attention to comfort, clear information, and careful technical execution so they can make informed decisions about their full-arch options.
All-on-4® provides a predictable, implant-supported path to replace a full arch of teeth with a fixed prosthesis that restores function and confidence. If you're exploring full-arch tooth replacement and would like to learn whether this approach fits your needs, please contact us for more information.
1All-on-4® is a registered trademark of Nobel Biocare.
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 tooth replacement approach that secures a prosthetic arch on four strategically placed dental implants, often allowing patients to leave the office with a fixed provisional restoration on the same day as surgery. The technique uses angulated posterior implants and longer anterior implants to maximize support in available bone, which can reduce the need for bone grafting. Because the prosthesis is fixed to implants, it restores much of the chewing function and stability that removable dentures cannot provide.
Unlike traditional removable dentures, an All-on-4® restoration is anchored to the jaw and does not rely on adhesives or suction for retention. The fixed prosthesis feels more like natural teeth, typically improves speech and bite efficiency, and is cared for with many of the same oral hygiene practices as natural teeth. This difference in design and function is why many patients choose implant-supported full-arch restorations over conventional removable appliances when clinically appropriate.
Good candidates are adults who are missing most or all teeth in an arch or who have failing dentition that would be best replaced with a full-arch solution, and who are in generally good health for oral surgery. Adequate bone volume in key areas of the jaw and the absence of active oral infections are important considerations that your dentist will evaluate with imaging and a clinical exam. A comprehensive assessment typically includes a review of medical history, current medications, and any chronic conditions that could affect healing.
Certain medical conditions or lifestyle factors may require special planning or coordination with your physician but do not necessarily preclude treatment. Smoking, poorly controlled diabetes, and certain medications can influence implant success, so those factors are discussed and managed before moving forward. Ultimately, candidacy is determined on an individual basis after a thorough clinical and radiographic evaluation.
Treatment begins with careful planning using clinical exams and three-dimensional imaging to map implant positions and design the provisional prosthesis. On the day of surgery, extractions (if needed) and implant placement are performed, and a specially designed temporary arch can often be attached to the implants so you have teeth while the implants integrate. Local anesthesia and sedation options are available to ensure comfort during the procedure.
After surgery you will receive post-operative instructions about oral care, diet, and activity restrictions to support healing during the first weeks. Follow-up visits are scheduled to monitor integration, manage sutures if placed, and assess the fit and function of the provisional restoration. Once healing is complete, typically several months later, a definitive prosthesis is fabricated and delivered to optimize esthetics and long-term function.
All-on-4® provides improved stability and chewing efficiency compared with removable dentures because the prosthesis is fixed to implants and does not shift during function. Patients commonly experience better comfort, clearer speech, and the ability to eat a wider variety of foods compared with what they could manage with an unstable denture. The fixed design also eliminates the need for denture adhesives and reduces the bulk that many denture wearers find uncomfortable.
In addition, the implant-supported arch helps preserve surrounding jawbone by transmitting functional forces through the implants, which can slow the bone loss that commonly occurs with long-term denture wear. The streamlined implant approach often reduces the number of surgical procedures required and can shorten the overall treatment timeline compared with more extensive grafting protocols. For patients seeking a long-term, functional restoration that more closely resembles natural teeth, All-on-4® is frequently a preferred option when clinically appropriate.
Initial recovery typically involves a few days to a week of soreness, swelling, and mild bruising that can be managed with prescribed or over-the-counter medications and cold compresses. During the first several weeks patients follow a soft-food diet and avoid heavy biting forces to protect the implants and the provisional prosthesis while osseointegration begins. Routine follow-up appointments are important during this phase to monitor healing, check soft tissue health, and address any concerns promptly.
Final integration of the implants and maturation of the soft tissues generally take a few months, at which point the provisional arch is replaced with a definitive prosthesis designed for long-term function and esthetics. Even after the final restoration is placed, patients should expect periodic maintenance visits for professional cleanings and examinations to ensure the continued health of the implants and surrounding tissues. With proper care and regular dental supervision, many patients enjoy stable function and an improved quality of life following recovery.
Daily oral hygiene is essential for the long-term success of an All-on-4® restoration and includes brushing the prosthetic teeth and cleaning around implant abutments to remove plaque and food debris. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and an interdental brush or floss recommended by your dental team to clean beneath and between prosthetic components, and consider a water flosser as an adjunct to dislodge particles around implants. Avoid abrasive dentifrices and be gentle around the gums to protect healing tissue, especially in the early months after surgery.
Regular professional maintenance is also important; your dentist will schedule periodic checkups and professional cleanings tailored to implant care. These visits allow the team to assess soft tissue health, check for signs of wear or loosening of prosthetic components, and perform any necessary adjustments. Consistent daily care combined with scheduled dental visits helps protect your investment and supports long-term oral health.
While implant-supported restorations have high success rates, implants can fail due to infection, uncontrolled systemic conditions, poor oral hygiene, smoking, or excessive mechanical stress. Early failure is often related to problems with healing or infection around the implant, while late complications can arise from peri-implantitis, prosthetic wear, or trauma. Careful patient selection, meticulous surgical technique, and ongoing maintenance are central to minimizing these risks.
Your dental team will review your medical history, habits, and oral condition to identify factors that could affect implant longevity and recommend strategies to mitigate risk. Good oral hygiene, smoking cessation, control of systemic diseases such as diabetes, and adherence to follow-up care are among the most important measures patients can take to support long-term success. If complications occur, prompt professional evaluation often allows for treatments that preserve implants and restore function.
Advanced imaging such as cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) is commonly used to obtain three-dimensional views of the jaw, allowing precise assessment of bone volume, anatomical landmarks, and ideal implant positioning. Digital planning software enables the team to design the implant positions and fabricate surgical guides that improve accuracy during implant placement. In many cases, digital impressions and computer-aided design/manufacturing (CAD/CAM) are used to create well-fitting provisional and final prostheses.
These technologies reduce guesswork, streamline treatment steps, and increase predictability by integrating diagnostics, surgical planning, and prosthetic fabrication. The office of Fay Hu General Dentistry uses digital imaging and restorative planning tools to coordinate care and communicate treatment details with patients. Combining modern imaging with clinical expertise helps achieve safer, more efficient outcomes for full-arch rehabilitation.
Certain health conditions and medications can influence healing and implant integration, so a thorough medical history and possibly coordination with your physician are important before proceeding. Conditions such as poorly controlled diabetes, immune disorders, recent head or neck radiation, and certain bisphosphonate therapies may require special consideration or alternative approaches. Smoking and heavy alcohol use are habits that can impair healing and increase the risk of implant complications.
Your dentist will review your medications, medical history, and lifestyle during the consultation to identify any factors that need to be managed prior to surgery. In many cases, risk factors can be optimized through medical management, smoking cessation programs, or modified surgical protocols so that implant treatment remains a viable and safe option. Individualized planning ensures the best path forward for each patient.
To begin exploring All-on-4® treatment, contact the office of Fay Hu General Dentistry to request an evaluation and treatment planning visit with the dentist. During the consultation you will discuss your goals, review medical and dental history, and undergo an exam and imaging as needed to determine candidacy and outline the recommended steps. The team will explain the clinical process, anticipated timeline for provisional and final prostheses, and answer any questions you may have about care and recovery.
Call our office at (407) 349-4835 for new patient appointments or (407) 647-3223 for existing patients, or visit us at 800 West Morse Blvd, Suite 3B, Winter Park, FL 32789 to request an appointment in person. Scheduling a comprehensive consultation is the best way to receive a personalized evaluation and to learn which restorative solution is most appropriate for your oral health needs.
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Through excellence in dentistry and quality in relationships, we strive to positively impact your oral health, aesthetics, and self-esteem. From the front desk to the treatment room, our experienced team is here to support you with expert care and genuine compassion.
