All-on-4® is a restorative approach that replaces an entire arch of missing teeth using just four strategically placed dental implants to support a full prosthetic bridge. Rather than wearing removable dentures, many patients leave the office the same day with a fixed, provisional prosthesis that restores basic chewing, speaking, and smiling function. The design prioritizes stability and esthetics while minimizing the number of implants required for a complete arch.
This treatment is intended for adults who have lost most or all teeth in an arch or who are preparing for extractions as part of a planned reconstruction. During an initial consultation we evaluate bone quality, overall health, and aesthetic goals to determine whether All-on-4 is a suitable and predictable option. The goal is to provide a long-term, comfortable replacement that behaves much like natural teeth for daily activities.
Because the provisional teeth are attached immediately after implant placement, patients experience a marked reduction in the inconvenience and self-consciousness associated with missing teeth or unstable dentures. This immediate function helps maintain facial support and allows patients to return to many normal activities right away while the implants integrate with the jawbone.
The All-on-4 concept draws on decades of implant research and improvements in surgical planning. Careful imaging and digital diagnostics let the team visualize bone structure and nerve pathways so implants can be positioned to maximize support while avoiding additional surgeries whenever possible. Angled posterior implants often make it feasible to use available bone in the back of the jaw and reduce the need for grafting.
These planning tools, combined with precise surgical techniques, increase the predictability of both immediate and long-term outcomes. When implants are placed in positions that take advantage of denser bone and distributed load, the prosthesis experiences less stress during healing and everyday use. That clinical rationale underpins why clinicians worldwide have adopted this approach for suitable candidates.
While individual results vary, the focus in every case is the same: apply careful diagnostics and evidence-based protocols so patients can rely on a dependable, functional set of replacement teeth. A comprehensive treatment plan and clear communication about expectations help ensure a smooth process from consultation through final restoration.
One of the primary advantages of All-on-4 is the transition from a removable device to a fixed bridge supported by implants. Fixed prostheses eliminate many of the common complaints associated with dentures, such as slipping, sore spots, and ongoing adhesive use. Patients frequently report improved confidence when eating and speaking because the bridge is anchored securely in place.
Functionally, implant-supported bridges restore chewing efficiency closer to natural dentition, allowing a wider variety of foods to be enjoyed without fear of movement or discomfort. Esthetically, a well-designed prosthesis supports natural facial contours and offers a lifelike appearance that complements an individual’s facial features and smile goals.
Maintenance is straightforward: routine home care—brushing and flossing around the prosthesis—and regular professional checkups support long-term health. The practice emphasizes preventive care and periodic evaluations so any potential issues with the restoration, implants, or surrounding tissues can be addressed early.
Your path begins with a detailed consultation including medical history review, digital imaging, and discussion of personal goals. When All-on-4 is appropriate, the team develops a step-by-step plan that outlines the timeline from implant placement to final prosthesis. Clear expectations about healing phases and follow-up visits are provided so patients feel informed and prepared.
On the day of surgery, implants are placed in planned positions and a provisional prosthesis is affixed to deliver immediate function and an improved smile. During the healing phase, implants integrate with the jawbone; patients are given guidance on diet, oral hygiene, and activity limitations to support a successful outcome. As healing completes, a final prosthesis is crafted and fitted to refine aesthetics, occlusion, and comfort.
Postoperative care is an important part of the journey. The practice coordinates follow-up visits to monitor healing and the condition of tissues and the provisional restoration. Once the final bridge is delivered, ongoing preventive visits and professional cleanings help preserve implant health and prosthesis longevity.
At the office of Christopher R. Szydelko, DDS PC, we combine modern implant techniques with a patient-centered approach. Our team uses advanced diagnostics and carefully planned surgical protocols to create restorations that prioritize function, comfort, and natural appearance. Every treatment begins with a thorough evaluation and a conversation about goals so the final result aligns with each individual’s needs.
We coordinate care across disciplines when appropriate, consulting with specialists and dental laboratories to ensure prosthetic design and implant placement work together seamlessly. The practice emphasizes minimally invasive approaches where possible and personalized aftercare to promote predictable healing and long-term success.
Choosing the right provider matters for complex restorative care. Our office focuses on clear communication, evidence-based planning, and meticulous follow-up so patients receive consistent, professional care throughout the process. If you’d like to explore whether All-on-4 is a fit for your situation, our team is available to review options and next steps.
In summary, All-on-4® offers a reliable pathway to replace a full arch with a fixed, implant-supported prosthesis that restores function and appearance. If you have questions about whether this approach is right for you, 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 restorative method that uses four strategically placed dental implants to support a fixed prosthetic bridge, replacing an entire upper or lower set of teeth. Unlike removable dentures, the bridge is anchored to implants and remains in place, which reduces movement and improves chewing efficiency. Because the design prioritizes stability and esthetics, many patients receive a provisional prosthesis the same day as implant placement to restore basic function quickly.
The approach often uses angled posterior implants to make better use of available bone and reduce the need for extensive bone grafting. Digital diagnostics and careful surgical planning help determine optimal implant positions and prosthetic design. All-on-4® is a registered technique and clinicians rely on evidence-based protocols to maximize predictability for appropriate candidates.
Good candidates are adults who have lost most or all teeth in an arch or are planning extractions as part of a comprehensive reconstruction and who desire a fixed, implant-supported solution. Evaluation includes a review of medical history, oral health, bone quantity and quality, and aesthetic goals to determine whether the approach is safe and predictable. Smoking, uncontrolled systemic conditions, and certain medications can affect implant healing, so these factors are discussed during the consultation.
Even when bone volume is limited, the All-on-4® concept can often be adapted by using angled implants to engage denser posterior bone, which may reduce the need for grafting. The treatment team also considers the patient’s ability to follow postoperative instructions and maintain oral hygiene around the restoration. A thorough diagnostic workup, including imaging, helps the clinician recommend the most appropriate path forward for each individual.
The process begins with a detailed consultation that includes medical and dental history, clinical examination, and digital imaging to assess bone and anatomical structures. Based on those findings, the team develops a comprehensive treatment plan that outlines the sequence of extractions (if needed), implant placement, provisional restoration, and final prosthesis. The plan also sets expectations for healing phases, follow-up visits, and home care so patients understand the timeline and responsibilities involved.
On the day of surgery, implants are placed in predetermined positions and a provisional fixed bridge is typically attached to provide immediate function and appearance. During the healing period, the implants undergo osseointegration as the bone bonds to the implant surfaces, which stabilizes the foundation for the final prosthesis. Once integration is confirmed, the provisional is replaced with a final, precision-crafted bridge that refines esthetics, occlusion and long-term function.
On the day of surgery patients can expect to receive local anesthesia and, when appropriate, sedation to ensure comfort during implant placement and any necessary extractions. The surgical team follows a planned protocol to place implants and fit a provisional prosthesis so the patient leaves with functional teeth and improved esthetics. Most people experience some swelling, mild discomfort, and sensitivity after the procedure, which is normal and managed with prescribed or recommended medications and specific home-care instructions.
During the first days of recovery it is important to follow dietary guidance, avoid strenuous activity, and maintain gentle oral hygiene around surgical sites to support healing. The practice schedules follow-up visits to monitor tissue health, check the provisional restoration, and address any questions or concerns. Clear postoperative instructions and timely communication with your dental team help minimize complications and support a smooth recovery.
Healing and osseointegration generally take several months, with typical timelines varying by individual factors such as bone quality, overall health, and adherence to postoperative care. The provisional prosthesis provides immediate function while the implants integrate with the jawbone, but clinicians usually wait until they see stable clinical and radiographic signs of integration before moving to a final restoration. Timing for the final prosthesis is determined by the healing response and the treatment plan agreed upon at consultation.
Once integration is verified, impressions and digital records are used to design the final bridge with attention to esthetics, occlusion and long-term maintenance. The final prosthesis is then delivered and adjusted to ensure comfort and proper function. Regular follow-up visits after delivery help confirm that the restoration and surrounding tissues remain healthy over time.
Functionally, All-on-4® restorations restore chewing efficiency much closer to natural teeth than removable dentures, allowing patients to eat a wider variety of foods without fear of movement or slipping. The fixed bridge also stabilizes the bite and supports better speech patterns compared with unstable removable devices. Many patients find they regain confidence in daily activities because their teeth feel and perform predictably.
Aesthetically, a well-designed prosthesis supports facial contours and provides a lifelike appearance that complements individual features and smile goals. The prosthesis can be customized for tooth shape, color and alignment to achieve a natural, balanced look. Because the restoration is fixed, it also eliminates the visible gaps and adhesive use associated with many removable denture solutions.
Maintaining an All-on-4® restoration involves a daily routine of brushing and cleaning around the prosthesis, using tools recommended by the clinical team such as interdental brushes or water flossers to remove plaque from implant-supported areas. Good oral hygiene reduces the risk of peri-implant inflammation and helps preserve both the prosthesis and surrounding tissues. Patients should follow specific hygiene instructions provided at delivery and report any changes in comfort, mobility or gum health promptly.
In addition to home care, regular professional checkups and cleanings are essential to monitor implant health, prosthetic integrity and soft tissue condition. These visits allow the team to perform targeted maintenance, adjust occlusion if needed, and address wear or component issues before they progress. A preventive schedule tailored to each patient supports long-term success of the restoration.
As with any surgical procedure, All-on-4® carries potential risks such as infection, bleeding, swelling, and temporary sensory changes near nerve pathways, though careful planning and sterile technique help minimize these events. Implant-related complications can include failure to integrate, loosening of components, or peri-implant inflammation if oral hygiene is inadequate. The clinical team discusses these possibilities during consultation and outlines risk-reduction strategies specific to each patient.
Early detection and management are important for addressing complications, which is why scheduled follow-up and prompt attention to symptoms are emphasized. Patients are advised to report unusual pain, persistent swelling, or changes in the fit or stability of the provisional restoration so the team can intervene quickly. Evidence-based protocols and ongoing monitoring help reduce long-term problems and support favorable outcomes.
Modern imaging such as cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and digital diagnostics allow clinicians to visualize bone anatomy, sinus cavities and nerve pathways in three dimensions before surgery. This level of detail enables precise implant positioning that maximizes use of available bone and minimizes the risk of damaging critical structures. Digital planning tools also support prosthetic-driven placement so implants are aligned to best support the final bridge both functionally and aesthetically.
When these imaging techniques are combined with surgical guides and computer-aided workflows, the predictability and efficiency of the procedure improve, potentially reducing operative time and the need for additional grafting. Accurate planning helps the team place angled posterior implants when appropriate, which can enhance immediate stability and long-term load distribution. Overall, digital workflows contribute to safer surgery and more consistent restorative results.
The office of Christopher R. Szydelko, DDS PC combines patient-centered care with modern implant techniques and thorough diagnostic planning to create predictable, comfortable full-arch restorations. The practice emphasizes clear communication, individualized treatment planning, and coordination with specialists and dental laboratories when needed so the prosthetic design and implant placement work together effectively. This collaborative approach promotes optimal function, esthetics and long-term maintenance for each patient.
Patients can expect a step-by-step process that prioritizes comfort and education, from initial consultation through final delivery and follow-up care. The team provides detailed postoperative guidance and schedules routine evaluations to monitor implant health and prosthesis condition. Choosing a provider with systematic planning and attentive aftercare helps support reliable outcomes for complex restorative treatments.
