The Science Behind All-on-4® Implants: Why They’re So Effective
Posted on: February 4, 2025
5 minute read
If you need to replace all of your upper or lower teeth, or you want to upgrade dentures with a longer-term solution, All-on-4® dental implants are the industry-leading solution for full arch replacement. These implants are quick to place and designed to suit a wide range of patients, even those with smaller or less dense jawbones.
If you’re interested in All-on-4® for teeth replacement, learn more about how this treatment works and why All-on-4® dental implants are effective for people who may not be candidates for standard dental implants. Talk to an accredited All-on-4® Centre of Excellence dentist in Perth, get in touch with Perth Dental Implant Centre today.
[Book a Consultation]
What is the All-on-4® concept?
The All-on-4® technique was developed in the late 1990s by Dr Paulo Malo in collaboration with Nobel Biocare. Their goal was to design an implant system capable of restoring a full arch of teeth in patients who had insufficient jawbone density for conventional dental implants.
The name All-on-4® refers to the use of four dental implants that are strategically placed to offer support for a full bridge of replacement teeth without the need for bone grafting. All-on-4® implant bridges use the latest techniques in prosthetic design to create natural-looking, long-lasting teeth.
The All-on-4® treatment protocol is recognised as the gold standard for full arch replacement, and is backed by a growing body of clinical studies showing its efficiency and long-term success.
How All-on-4® implants work
Like other dental implants, All-on-4® implants are surgically placed in the jaw to support a bridge of replacement teeth. However, there are some significant differences.
Distributing bite forces
Whereas standard dental implants support one or several teeth, All-on-4® implants are strategically placed in the jawbone to support a full arch of upper or lower teeth. Two implants are placed at the front of the mouth and two at the back, distributing bite forces evenly to achieve stability without the need for additional implants in most cases.
Angled implant placement
While conventional implants are placed vertically in the jaw, All-on-4® posterior (back) implants are angled at 45 degrees. This maximises contact with denser bone in the anterior (front) jaw, holding the implants firmly in place even if the jaw below is soft or deteriorated and avoiding the need for bone grafting in most cases.
Immediate functionality
The conventional method of providing full mouth dental implants involved two surgeries. The first surgery is where dental implants were placed and left to heal for several months while they fused with the bone. During this time, the patient worn a full denture. Once implants healed, a second surgery was performed to expose the implants under the gum, attach the abutments, and then take impressions to create the prosthetic teeth, that are later attached to implants.
The major advantage of the All-on-4® approach is that prosthetic teeth are attached within five days of surgery. This is when the jawbone is rigid enough for dental implants to support a bridge. After 7 days, the bone begins to soften as it begins the 3-6 month healing process. Another key advantage of All-on-4 is there is no need to wear a temporary denture while implants heal.
Why All-on-4® dental implants are effective
All-on-4® implants have been used successfully for more than 25 years, helping people of all ages to restore their smiles and avoid some of the possible risks involved with other implant systems and dentures.
Minimal surgical intervention
All-on-4® implants are placed in the jaw in a single surgery. As fewer implants are needed compared to other full arch implant systems, the number of surgeries is reduced. All-on-4® also avoids the need for additional procedures such as bone grafts or sinus lifts in most cases, which may be needed before conventional implants can be placed for people with poor jawbone quality.
High success rates
All-on-4® treatment is supported by decades of clinical research demonstrating its long-term success and patient satisfaction. A 10-year study found that All-on-4® implants in the lower jaw had a 98% success rate*, which is higher than the average for dental implants. The success of implant treatments also depends on them being provided by a suitably qualified and experienced dental surgeon.
* Malo P, de Araújo Nobre M, Lopes A, Moss SM, Molina GJ. A longitudinal study of the survival of All-on-4® implants in the mandible with up to 10 years of follow-up. J Am Dent Assoc. 2011 Mar;142(3):310-20. doi: 10.14219/jada.archive.2011.0170. PMID: 21357865.
Improved aesthetics and function
All-on-4® bridges are designed by skilled prosthetists to suit your individual facial proportions, made from high-quality and durable materials. Once fitted, your new teeth will look and function as close to natural teeth as possible, allowing you to eat, speak and smile with more confidence than alternatives such as removable dentures.
Consider the cost
All-on-4® implants are a lifelong investment, and comparable to the cost of similar surgeries. The main difference being that Medicare won’t cover dental expenses.
For more details about our All-on-4® solutions or to schedule an appointment with Dr Norcross at your nearest Perth clinic, call our team in East Vic Park on 08 9470 3944 or Kelmscott on 08 9495 7999.
Advantages of All-on-4® over conventional implants and dentures
All-on-4®’s innovative technique and protocol can make it an attractive solution over other implant systems or conventional dentures for people who have severely damaged or multiple missing teeth. Some of its benefits are:
- Eligibility: All-on-4® may be an option even if you have moderate to severe bone loss, without the need for bone grafting.
- Shorter treatment and recovery time: Your implant bridge is tried in within three days of All-on-4® surgery, and then fitted within five days of surgery.
- Permanent teeth replacement: All-on-4® bridges are fixed and non-removable, unlike conventional dentures.
- Long-term durability: All-on-4® implants are made from titanium and can last a lifetime. Implant bridges incorporating titanium can also last many years before they need to be replaced.
In complex cases, Dr Norcross uses advanced All-on-4® techniques for a successful outcome. These may include placing additional implants for added stability, or longer implants known as pterygoid or zygomatic implants.
High-quality implant bridge – our single-stage approach
All-on-4® implant bridges replace a full arch of teeth and are designed to mimic the natural contours of a dental arch. If you choose All-on-4® at Perth Dental Implant Centre, your implant bridge will be custom designed by our experienced dental technician Patrick Barrett-Lennard.
We use a single-stage approach to All-on-4 teeth, placing a titanium-reinforced, high-quality acrylic bridge as the first set of teeth after surgery. A strong titanium bar is digitally-milled to precision, before being set in high-quality acrylic teeth. Unlike temporary bridges that are used in a two-stage approach or a two-bridge protocol. A temporary bridge needs replacing with a permanent ceramic bridge within 6 to 12 months of surgery, while our All-on-4 teeth may last between two to five years before needing to be replaced.
Using a titanium bar to reinforce the acrylic allows for a passive fit with less strain placed on healing implants. This aids faster healing and is more affordable than a two-bridge protocol.
Clinical evidence supporting All-on-4® treatment
All-on-4® implants have been subject to many clinical trials that consistently show their reliability and effectiveness in both the short and long term.
A study of 126 patients with All-on-4® implants found a 98.2% survival rate for implants and 94.4% survival rate for restorations after 1 year.*
A longer-term study found a 98% success rate for All-on-4® implants after 5 years and 95% success rate with up to 10 years of follow-up care, with restorations having a 99% success rate over the same period.**
All-on-4® implants are less prone to complications than other implant systems due to their simplified surgical process.
* Korsch, M., Walther, W., Hannig, M. et al. Evaluation of the surgical and prosthetic success of All-on-4® restorations: a retrospective cohort study of provisional vs. definitive immediate restorations. Int J Implant Dent 7, 48 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40729-021-00330-1
** Malo P, de Araújo Nobre M, Lopes A, Moss SM, Molina GJ. A longitudinal study of the survival of All-on-4® implants in the mandible with up to 10 years of follow-up. J Am Dent Assoc. 2011 Mar;142(3):310-20. doi: 10.14219/jada.archive.2011.0170. PMID: 21357865.
How much does All-on-4® cost?
The cost of All-on-4® treatment varies from case to case, but at Perth Dental Implant Centre, we offer All-on-4® implants and bridges as a package starting from $21,000 per arch or $40,000 for both arches.
This cost is inclusive of:
- 4 Nobel Biocare titanium implants and abutments
- Fixed titanium-reinforced high-impact acrylic bridge
- All-on-4® implant surgery
- Clinical radiographs (excluding CBCT scan)
- 6 months of follow-up appointments with Dr Norcross
- 5-year warranty on implants; 5-year warranty on titanium bar and 2-year warranty on acrylic teeth*
*Warranty is subject to attending implant reviews, six-monthly check-ups and hygiene maintenance appointments.*Hospital and anaesthetist fees are not included and subject to sedation choice, individual circumstances and private health insurance cover. Additional fees may also apply if other services such as extractions or gum treatment are needed prior to surgery.
To help you manage your treatment cost, we offer payment plans from trusted providers including Afterpay, Zip Money and Pretty Penny Loans.
Why choose us for All-on-4® implants?
If you’re considering All-on-4® implants, our dentists use only genuine Nobel Biocare All-on-4® implants. We’ll discuss all of your treatment options for restoring your smile so you can make a fully informed decision about what’s right for you and your price range.
Accredited dentist
Our principal dentist, Dr David Norcross, has completed advanced training in the All-on-4® protocol at the Malo Clinic in Melbourne, Portugal and Brazil, including training in the use of longer pterygoid implants. Dr Norcross has provided many successful All-on-4® treatments at our Perth clinics for patients of varying requirements and regularly consults for other dentists requiring surgical assistance in complex All-on-4 implant cases.
All-on-4® Centre of Excellence
Perth Dental Implant Centre is one of a handful of Australian dental clinics that’s recognised as an All-on-4® Centre of Excellence by Nobel Biocare. This acknowledges our team’s expertise and trust in providing All-on-4® treatments.
Patient reviews
See what our patients say about their experiences with Perth Dental Implant Centre.
Read more reviews for Perth Dental Implant Centre Kelmscott and Perth Dental Implant Centre East Vic Park
Before and after videos
Check out our before and after patient stories to see how Dr Norcross has helped people transform their smiles with All-on-4® implants.
Book a consultation for All-on-4® in Perth
To speak to our treatment coordinator about All-on-4® implants or other options for full teeth replacement, book a consultation at your preferred Perth Dental Implant Centre location at a time that’s good for you.
We are located in East Victoria Park and Kelmscott. Call 1300 108 133
The total cost of All-on-4® dental implants includes the cost of the implants, initial and subsequent sets of replacement teeth, implant surgery, diagnostic fees and any other services provided, such as dental sedation. There are also ongoing maintenance costs to consider, such as professional cleaning and bridge repairs if needed. How long an All-on-4® bridge lasts depends on the bridge materials, as well as your biting forces, oral hygiene and lifestyle factors.
References
- Korsch, M., Walther, W., Hannig, M. et al. Evaluation of the surgical and prosthetic success of All-on-4 restorations: a retrospective cohort study of provisional vs. definitive immediate restorations. Int J Implant Dent 7, 48 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40729-021-00330-1
- Malo P, de Araújo Nobre M, Lopes A, Moss SM, Molina GJ. A longitudinal study of the survival of All-on-4 implants in the mandible with up to 10 years of follow-up. J Am Dent Assoc. 2011 Mar;142(3):310-20. doi: 10.14219/jada.archive.2011.0170. PMID: 21357865.