Side by side
All-on-4 vs Traditional Full Arch Implants
Both give you fixed teeth on implants. The difference is how many implants, how much bone you need, and how fast you get there.
All-on-4 vs Traditional Implant Bridge
| All-on-4 | Traditional Implant Bridge | |
|---|---|---|
| Implants per arch | Four, with the back two angled | Six to eight, placed vertically |
| Bone grafting | Often avoided by angling the posterior implants | Frequently required in the back of the jaw |
| Teeth on surgery day | Yes, a fixed provisional bridge | Usually not |
| Total treatment time | Months | Often a year or more with grafting |
| Cost | Lower, fewer implants and less grafting | Higher |
| Repair if one implant fails | More consequential, fewer supports | More redundancy |
| Best for | Most patients facing a failing or missing arch | Cases with excellent bone and a preference for redundancy |
Our take
All-on-4 exists because grafting the back of an atrophic jaw is expensive, slow and unpredictable. For most patients it is the more practical route to fixed teeth. We will show you both plans on your scan and explain which one your bone supports.
All-on-4 Dental Implants
A full arch of fixed teeth, anchored on four implants and placed in a single day. It is for people who have lost most of an arch, or are being told they are about to, and who do not want a denture that comes out at night.
Consider it if:
- You are missing most or all of the teeth in an arch
- Your current denture moves, rubs, or needs adhesive to stay put
- You have been told there is not enough bone for conventional implants
Dental Implants
A dental implant replaces the root of a missing tooth with a titanium post, then a crown on top of it. It is the only replacement that keeps the jawbone working the way a natural tooth does.
Consider it if:
- You are missing one tooth, several teeth, or all of them
- A bridge or partial denture has started to move, click or trap food
- You want to stop wearing something removable
Dentures
A well-made denture restores chewing and the shape of the lower face. A poorly made one is the reason people give up on dentures altogether.
Consider it if:
- You are missing all the teeth in an arch
- You are missing several teeth and want one appliance to replace them
- Your current denture is loose, sore, or needs adhesive daily
How we help you decide
We take records, show you what we are looking at on screen, and give you a recommendation with the reasoning attached. Both options above get quoted where both are clinically reasonable, so you are comparing real numbers for your own mouth rather than averages from an article.
If one of them is clearly wrong for your situation, we will say so and explain why. Second opinions are welcome, and we give them straight.
Questions we get asked
Do I leave with teeth the same day?
Yes. A fixed provisional bridge goes on at the surgery appointment. It is not the final restoration, and it looks and functions like teeth while you heal.
Is All-on-4 the same as a snap-in denture?
No. A snap-in overdenture clips onto implants and you remove it to clean. An All-on-4 bridge is screwed down and stays in your mouth.
How long does a dental implant last?
The post itself is designed to be permanent, and implants placed decades ago are still in service. The crown on top is the part that eventually wears, usually somewhere past the fifteen year mark.
Does getting an implant hurt?
Placement is done under local anesthetic and most people describe it as easier than the extraction that preceded it. Soreness for two or three days is normal. Sedation is available if the idea of the appointment is the hard part.
Will people be able to tell?
A denture designed for your face rather than a stock mold reads as natural. Tooth shape, shade and how much shows when you smile are all choices we make with you at the try-in.
How long until I can eat normally?
Give it a few weeks. Start soft, cut food small, chew on both sides. Lower full dentures take the longest to adapt to.
Not sure which?
Honest dentistry, since 1987.
We will tell you what needs doing now, what can wait, and what we would leave alone.
- Over 50,000 patients treated since 1987
- Comprehensive new patient exam including oral cancer screening
- Three doctors and a long-tenured team
- Most major dental plans accepted
Been told you need a lot of work somewhere else? Second opinions are welcome and we give them straight.
Request an appointment
We reply the next business day.
Please do not include Protected Health Information. For anything urgent, call (910) 762-0958.