What is All on 4 ?

Last updated: 22 May 2025

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What is All on 4 ?

All on 4 is a dental implant procedure that uses a special technique to replace all the teeth in the upper or lower jaw (or both sides) using only 4 dental implants. It is a convenient and highly effective option for people who have lost all of their teeth in one or both jaws.

The principle of All on 4

In the All on 4 method, four dental implants are placed in the jawbone. The four implants are positioned in the appropriate positions to accommodate a specially designed denture designed to replace all the missing teeth in the jaw. The principle is as follows:

1. Position of dental implant

Dental implants are placed in strong areas of the jawbone. Typically, two implants are used, one in the front and two in the back of the jaw.
The posterior implants are placed at an angle (approximately 30 - 45 degrees) to provide better chewing force.

2. Using only 4 dental implants

This method allows for the replacement of all the teeth in the jaw without the need for numerous dental implants, which reduces the number of procedures, costs, and speeds up recovery.

3. Dental bridge (Bridge)

After the implants are placed, the four implants are bonded together to support a bridge that replaces missing teeth.
The installed dentures look like natural teeth and allow the patient to chew and speak normally.

Advantages of All on 4

1. Fast recovery

Because only four implants are used, the surgery and recovery are faster than traditional tooth transplants that require multiple implants.

2. No need to wait several months.

In cases where a patient has extensive tooth loss and thin jawbone, the All on 4 method can use a slanted implant (if necessary), allowing temporary dentures to be placed on the same day as the implant (in some cases).

3. No need to lose tooth structure

In the case of a general bridge, adjacent teeth need to be cut or ground down. However, in the case of All on 4, adjacent teeth do not need to be destroyed because only 4 dental implants are used to support the dentures.

4. Easier process

Patients who want to wear dentures for the entire jaw can use the All on 4 method in one go without having to undergo multiple surgeries.

5. Jawbone treatment

Dental implants help stimulate the process of restoring and maintaining the jawbone that may have been lost due to toothlessness.

6. Helps reduce costs

Since only 4-6 dental implants are required (in one jaw), the cost is reduced compared to using multiple dental implants.

All on 4 limitations

1. Not suitable for everyone.

The All on 4 method may not be suitable for people with very thin jawbones or serious health problems, such as conditions related to slow healing, such as uncontrolled diabetes.
Those who require bone grafting or additional surgery prior to dental implant placement may need longer preparation time.

2. Expenses

Although this method is less expensive than multiple dental implants, it is still a more expensive treatment than traditional removable dentures.

3. Surgical process

Although the process is faster than other dentures, it still requires surgery that carries some risks, such as infection or a long recovery time.

All on 4 is a great option for people who are missing all of their teeth in one or both jaws. It effectively replaces teeth using just four implants and has a much shorter recovery time than other tooth implant methods. The advantages of All on 4 include a reduced number of surgeries, a quicker recovery, and providing dentures that are as strong and durable as natural teeth.