All on Four is a dental implant technique that is sometimes called Teeth In a Day or Same Day Smiles. Patients are able to have the dental implants inserted, and to have their replacement teeth all on the same day, although the initial dental bridge is temporary and is only left in place until the dental implants have fully healed in the jaw.
It uses as few as four dental implants to support a complete arch of teeth in the upper or lower jaw. The replacement teeth are non-removable, meaning they are permanently fixed in position and can only be taken out by your dentist.
This technique maximizes the use of available bone. It is often particularly helpful for people who do not have much bone in their jaw and who would otherwise have needed bone grafts prior to dental implants being placed. Treatment is more affordable due to so few dental implants being needed.
How is This Technique Possible?
The secret lies in the way the dental implants are placed. Two dental implants are inserted vertically at the front of the mouth, but the two implants either side are inserted at a 45° angle, pointing away from the front two implants. Longer implant posts can be used for the two angled dental implants, providing greater retention which can be very useful for patients who have less bone. Once a dental bridge is placed on the implants it has the effect of locking all four implants together, and this helps prevent them from becoming dislodged so they can heal and integrate more easily.
It is necessary to eat a soft diet during the first 6 to 8 weeks after having these dental implants as this helps the healing process. This is because it’s important not to put the dental implants under any stress as they begin to stabilize in the jawbone. Once the stabilization process is completed then the permanent teeth can be fabricated to restore appearance. This technique is tried and tested and has been in use since the late 1990s.
