All-on-4 Dental Implants: A Complete Guide

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All-on-4 dental implants procedures are the premium option for those missing a full arch of teeth. Unlike dentures, All-on-4 restorations look and feel natural. Patients who opt for this procedure can eat a varied diet, including foods like apples and steaks. All-on implant solutions also stimulate the jawbone and prevent bone loss that can cause a shrunken, prematurely aged appearance.

According the American College of Prosthodontists, more than 40 million Americans are missing all of their teeth. At a cost of approximately $21,000 USD per arch, implant supported dentures are out of reach for most Americans. However, medical tourism can make All-on procedures much more affordable, with prices starting at just $7,500 at high quality clinics in Latin America.

All on 6 Restoration
Actual Patient - OG Center, San Jose, Costa Rica

What is an "All-on-4" Dental Implants Procedure?

The All-on treatment is a minimally invasive procedure that replaces a full arch of teeth using as few dental implants as necessary. All-on dental implants are best suited for the total rehabilitation of a patient who has lost most of their teeth due to long-standing gum disease or traumatic injury. It is also a viable option for patients whose bone loss in the jaw area prevents them from getting conventionally oriented (vertical) dental implants.

Tooth loss is accompanied by loss of jaw bone, which might require bone grafts. The All-on technique takes advantage of the dense remaining bone by placing a few dental implants at an angle. Angling the implants allows the dentist to avoid the sinus cavity in the upper jaw and the nerve canal in the lower jaw and ensure a firm anchor for the prosthetic.

The denture will be affixed to four dental implants as depicted in the model above.

What are the Different Types of "All-on" Dental Implants Procedures?

Dentists must exercise a lot of creativity to perform All-on procedures. Each patient presents different general and oral health, bone quality, and other factors that necessitate tailored solutions. Below we have compiled the most commonly performed all-on dental implant procedures.

All-on-4 Dental Implants

As the name suggests, All-on-4 dental implants is a procedure that involves supporting “all” of your teeth “on four” dental implants. Four dental implants support a 12 to 14 tooth arch.

All-on-6 or All-on-8 Dental Implants

Sometimes an All-on-4 dental implants treatment may not be enough to secure an overloaded dental bridge or denture. In these cases, All-on-6 or All-on-8 dental implants are appropriate. More implants enable the anchorage to the bridge or denture to be tighter and sturdier.

In this procedure, 6 or 8 implants are placed either on the top or bottom dental arch. A fixed bridge of 12 to 14 teeth is then connected to the implants to form a stable and secured structure. All-on-8 dental implants offer the maximum amount of implants needed to restructure your mouth and fill out the spaces left by missing teeth and receding bone.

Due to the additional time and materials required to perform these procedures, they are more expensive than an All-on-4 dental implants treatment.

Our partners at Ideal Dental Center in Mexico City prepare to insert 6 dental implants as part of an All-on-6 procedure.

What Are the Different Materials Used for an All-on-4 Dental Implants Procedure?

A variety of materials can be used for the permanent denture that will be fixed to dental implants in the final restoration. Patients are encouraged to speak with their doctor and handle various materials to get a good idea of what material is suitable for them.

Acrylic

Acrylic prosthetics are a relatively inexpensive material used for temporary restorations. This material is relatively easy to repair, but it is also the least durable. As a result, most temporary restorations are made from acrylic but will later be replaced by a more durable restoration.

Porcelain

Porcelain prosthetics are designed much like traditional crowns and bridges, as a result, they are long lasting and durable. This material is aesthetically pleasing and highly customizable.

Zirconium

Recently, a new prosthetic material has taken the market by storm. Zirconium dental implants are strong and durable and they can be customized to fit your needs. This material is relatively more expensive than others on the market but scores top marks for aesthetics and durability.

All-on-4 dental implants laboratory preparation
A peek in the lab at Alta Estetica Dental in Medellin, Colombia

What is the Procedure for an All-on Treatment?

All-on dental implant procedures are outpatient surgeries performed in two stages. The stages are performed 4-6 months apart .

Stage 1: Implant Placement

In the first stage of an All-on dental implant procedure, the goal is to properly plan, prepare, and place the implants and a temporary prosthetic. For our medical travelers, we recommend dedicating 7 days in-country for this procedure.

Plan

First, the dentist will first perform an initial consultation to determine the general and oral health of the patient. The dentist will also use imagery including X-rays and CT Scans in order to assess the patient, present options and recommendations, and plan the surgery. 

Prepare

Next, the dentist must ensure that the jaw is prepared for the implants. This requires performing extractions, bone grafts, and sinus lifts as necessary to ensure the arch is ready.

Place

The dentist will place the implants in a surgery that typically takes about 1 hour per implant. Placement of dental implants is typically performed under local anesthetic. 

Prosthetic

Once the implants are in place, the dentist will fit a temporary prosthetic made of acrylic to be used while the patient heals.

Proper Recovery

Medical travelers will have a follow on appointment a few days after their procedure to ensure that the recovery process is progressing well. Travelers will then return home and enjoy their new smile as their jawbone fuses with the dental implants in a process called osseointegration. At first, patients may experience swelling and discomfort, but this is manageable with over the counter medications and ice. The dentist will provide complete recovery instructions as well.

Proper recovery is very important for the success of dental implants. While implants have a 98% success rate, failure can occur. Implant failure is often associated with smoking, alcohol, and failure to follow recovery instructions designed to give the body the opportunity to heal.

All-on-4 Dental Implants restoration
Actual Patient After Phase 1 - OG Center, San Jose, Costa Rica

Phase 2: Permanent Prosthetic

In the second phase of an All-on dental implant procedure, the goal is to assess the healing process and place a permanent prosthetic. For our medical travelers, we recommend dedicating 5-7 days in-country for this procedure.

Assess

First, the dentist will assess the healing process to ensure that the implants have successfully integrated with the jawbone and are ready for a permanent prosthetic.

Permanent Prosthetic

Finally, a permanent prosthetic made of porcelain or zirconia will be placed. This bespoke prosthetic will be custom made to ensure the patient’s smile is one of their best features.

Why Do I Have to Wait 4 to 6 Months Before Getting my Permanent Prosthetic?

Once the implant is placed in the jawbone, the process of osseointegration begins. The goal here is to have the implant fuse with your bone to acquire additional strength and anchorage. During this healing time, the jawbone grows around the dental implant until the implant has fully been engulfed by the bone.

This process can take several months but is necessary to provide a solid base for the new artificial tooth. The implants act like natural roots and stabilizes the bridge that is to be placed on them.

How Much Does an All-on Dental Implants Procedure Cost?

All-on dental implants are designed to be fully customized , which is why they are very natural-looking. However, the time intensive nature of the procedure and specialized training required to perform it means that this is the premium option for replacing a full arch of teeth.

In the United States, this procedure costs approximately $20,500 USD with significant variation. Our patients have reported estimates ranging from $19,000 USD per arch in Texas to $41,000 USD per arch in Seattle.

This pricetag is the primary reason why over 90% of patients in the United States opt for dentures, which cost a fraction of the price. Unfortunately, these patients continue to experience bone loss, require significantly more visits to the dentist over the years for denture relines and corrective procedures, and face limited dietary options.

It does not need to be that way. Prices for the same procedures, performed by highly qualified personnel using cutting edge technology, are available at a fraction of the price in Latin America.

"ALL-ON-4" COST USA
$20,500 Average Cost USA
"ALL-ON-4" COST LOS ALGODONES, MEXICO
$8,110 Sani Dental Group Alamo Clinic
$8,110 Sani Dental Group Platinum
"ALL-ON-4" COST TIJUANA, MEXICO
$8,360 Dental Brush
Inquire Nakeji Dental Group
"ALL-ON-4" COST PLAYA DEL CARMEN, MEXICO
$8,110 Sani Dental Group Cancun Riviera
"ALL-ON-4" COST SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA
$7,500 OG Center

What Are My Other Options for Replacing Missing Teeth?

When teeth fall out or deteriorate, it is best to act as quickly as possible. Fortunately, you have a variety of replacement options at your disposal to meet your needs and your budget.

Single dental implants are great options for people who are missing only a few teeth. With a success rate of 98%, dental implants are some of the most reliable dental inventions in today’s restorative market.

DENTAL IMPLANT IMPLANT, ABUTMENT
& CROWN
CLINIC
$1,290+ $4,000+ Average Cost United States
LOS ALGODONES, MEXICO
$790 - 1,290 $1,475 - 2,005 Sani Dental Group Alamo Clinic
$790 - 1,290 $1,475 - 2,005 Sani Dental Group Platinum
TIJUANA, MEXICO
$495 - 985 $1,445 - 1,999 Dental Brush
$800 $1,300 Evidentall
$1,500 (includes abutment) $2,050 Nakeji Dental Group
PLAYA DEL CARMEN, MEXICO
$790 - 1,290 $1,475 - 2,005 Sani Dental Group Cancun Riviera
SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA
$650 $1,200 OG Center
CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA
$790 $1,385 Centro de Implantes de la Costa
$789 $1,243 Dentist Cartagena
MEDELLIN, COLOMBIA
$790 $1,385 Alta Estetica Dental
BOGOTA, COLOMBIA
$790 $1,385 Clinica de Rehabilitacion Oral e Implantes

Going the simpler route, dentures can replace your teeth with ease. Low maintenance and affordable, dentures can be great for people who are willing to be a little forgiving, aesthetic-wise.

DENTURE COST USA
$1,800+ Average Cost USA
DENTURE COST LOS ALGODONES, MEXICO
$280-490 Sani Dental Group Alamo Clinic
$280-490 Sani Dental Group Platinum
DENTURE COST TIJUANA, MEXICO
$685-4,500 Dental Brush
$280-550 Evidentall
$350-550 Nakeji Dental Group
DENTURE COST PLAYA DEL CARMEN, MEXICO
$280-490 Sani Dental Group Cancun Riviera
DENTURE COST SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA
$350 OG Center

If you want to restore a damaged tooth or to replace missing ones, dental crowns and bridges can be brilliant at doing so. By seeking support from adjacent teeth, they can firmly equip your mouth for your daily chewing!

CROWN COST USA
$1,300+ Average Cost USA
CROWN COST LOS ALGODONES, MEXICO
$120-600 Sani Dental Group Alamo Clinic
$120-600 Sani Dental Group Platinum
CROWN COST TIJUANA, MEXICO
$260-475 Dental Brush
$250-700 Evidentall
$250-550 Nakeji Dental Group
CROWN COST PLAYA DEL CARMEN, MEXICO
$120-600 Sani Dental Group Cancun Riviera
CROWN COST SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA
$350 OG Center

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