All-on-4 supports a fixed prosthesis on four implants in an edentulous jaw. Suitability depends on bone distribution, gum health and general condition.
All-on-4 supports a fixed prosthesis on four implants in a jaw that has lost all its teeth. The idea is to use the denser bone at the front when the back of the jaw has resorbed: the two rear implants are angled so their support points sit further back, which often avoids grafting.
Who it can suit
- People who have lost all teeth in one jaw
- People whose remaining teeth are too mobile to save
- Denture wearers troubled by movement
- Those with adequate front bone but resorbed back regions
- Anyone wanting to avoid a palate-covering denture
Who it does not suit
If anterior bone height or width is inadequate, four implants cannot carry the load and either more implants or prior grafting is needed. Untreated advanced gum disease, uncontrolled systemic conditions and heavy smoking all affect the plan, as do strong chewing forces and the state of the opposing jaw.
Why four?
Two upright implants at the front and two angled at the back distribute support along the arch, while angulation avoids the sinus above and the nerve canal below. Four is not a universal number; bone distribution decides, and that assessment is made on a CT scan as part of oral surgery planning.
Fixed teeth on the same day?
If initial stability is sufficient, a fixed temporary bridge can be fitted the same day, an approach known as same day fixed teeth. The temporary is not the final prosthesis; the definitive one follows after healing. If stability is not sufficient, immediate loading is postponed, which protects the result rather than delaying it.
Eating during the temporary phase
A soft diet is advised for the first weeks. Hard crusts, bones and sticky foods place unwanted force on healing implants. The diet widens gradually once the final prosthesis is delivered.
Cleaning
The area beneath a fixed prosthesis needs its own routine: threading floss, interdental brushes and a water flosser. Neglect leads to inflammation of the tissues around the implants, so scheduled reviews are part of the treatment, not an optional extra.
Making the decision
Suitability is never judged from an X-ray alone. Gum health, the opposing jaw, the joint and your own expectations all count. For some patients more implants are appropriate, for others an implant-retained removable overdenture fits better. Every option should be discussed while planning implant treatment. Our clinic in Muratpasa is open around the clock, seven days a week.
