All-on-4

Though dental implants are an effective treatment for individuals who have lost one or two teeth, this relatively simple process will be insufficient for patients who have experienced substantial tooth loss or decay and require their full sets of upper or lower teeth replaced. In these cases, “all-on-4” dental implants – the practice of securing an entire set of teeth to the gums with four implant posts – may be necessary.

The all-on-4 procedure is a graftless solution, meaning eligible patients can avoid the arduous and expensive bone-rebuilding process required for conventionally oriented implants. However, before a dental surgeon can proceed with the installation of all-on-4 implants, the patient’s existing bone structure must be closely analyzed.

If the conditions for all-on-4 implants are favourable, back implants are installed at a 30- to 45-degree angle from the biting plane. The implant is then placed in front of the mental nerve in the lower jaw, and in front of the maxillary sinus in the upper jaw. The implant’s head emerges from the gum near the second premolar position. This positioning allows a molar to be cantilevered posterior, producing a roughly 12-tooth denture.