by Dr. Pedro Coelho • 25 July 2025 • 7 min read
All-on-4 dental implants promise relatively quick, minimally invasive, and rather affordable full smile restorations for those struggling with missing teeth. Unlike other types of implant treatments, All-on-4 can restore all teeth on a jaw (or an arch) with just four implants. It’s a very innovative technique for restoring dental function, but does the buzz actually live up to the expectations? In this article, we’ll look at what benefits All-on-4 actually offers, explain the downsides, and help you decide if this treatment is the right choice for your health (and wallet).
The Standout Benefits of All-on-4 Dental Implants
These are the most important benefits this treatment offers and the primary reasons for dentist recommendations:
Full Smile Restoration with Only 4 Implants
Adults typically have 16 teeth per arch. If you lose most of your teeth, fixing those gaps with individual implants would require over a dozen posts. With All-on-4, dentists can restore all teeth on an arch with just four strategically placed implants. This minimises how invasive the smile restoration surgery is and improves recovery time for most patients.
No Need for Bone Grafting
Perhaps the most significant benefit All-on-4 offers is the elimination (for the most part) of the need for bone grafting. Bone grafting compensates for the loss of the jawbone. Conventional implants are drilled into the jawbone, which means that you need a certain amount of jawbone density to qualify for dental implant surgery. With All-on-4, most affected people can forgo this step. However, do note that you can’t skip all types of bone grafting requirements with this technique, and your dentist will advise you on whether you can.
Immediate Results
You can immediately receive a set of temporary teeth following All-on-4 surgery, unlike with traditional implant surgery. You won’t have to be without teeth or rely on removable dentures. Once you are fully recovered in about 6 months, you will receive your permanent prosthetic teeth.
Regain Bite Force
All-on-4 implants offer considerable stability compared to dentures, including snap-on dentures supported by implants. Thanks to this improved level of function, you will be able to bite and chew just as you used to with natural teeth. If you experienced any speech issues because of missing teeth, All-on-4 is likely to fix that issue as well.
More Cost-Effective
Because this method only uses four implants to restore all teeth of an arch, the All-on-4 dental implants cost is considerably less expensive than using individual implants. Dentists often use six to eight implants with traditional techniques, and more quantity means more cost. Plus, most patients can save on costs for bone grafting, which is typically performed for most traditional implant procedures. Overall, compared to traditional techniques, All-on-4 is the most cost-efficient option for patients who qualify for this procedure.
Shorter Treatment Time Compared to Traditional Techniques
As there is no need for bone grafting with this procedure, and also because it only involves placing four implants, you can get all the implants placed in one appointment. There’s no need to return for additional surgeries (but you will need to return for your permanent teeth).
What are the Cons of All-on-4 Dental Implants?
As with any medical procedure, All-on-4 is not without downsides. Learn about them to make an informed decision before signing up for this procedure.
Surgical Risks
Getting All-on-4 requires oral surgery, and there will be some risk, as with any other type of invasive surgery. Although rare, complications from All-on-4 surgery include infection at the sites of the implant, swelling, bruising, nerve and sinus damage. Certain underlying health conditions and habits, like smoking, can increase your risk for surgical complications. That’s why dentists only prescribe this procedure after reviewing the full medical history.
Implant Failure
In less than 5% of cases, the All-on-4 implants will not properly fuse with the jawbone, a situation dentists describe as implant failure. This is a rare occurrence, but it can be exacerbated by preexisting health conditions or certain lifestyle habits that harm oral health (especially smoking). For most people, this is not a concern, but if you have health issues, you should discuss with your dentist how exposed you might be to implant failure.
Not Suitable in Cases of Severe Bone Loss
All-on-4 forgoes the need for bone grafting, but it is not suitable for those with severe bone loss in the jaw. If you have a health issue that affects bones, especially osteoporosis, you may not qualify for this procedure.
The Dental Bridge May Wear Out
While the implants themselves are long-lasting, the dental bridge attached to them can wear out over time. Therefore, you will need to check in with a dentist occasionally to ensure your prosthetic teeth are undamaged.
What Do the Experts Say about All-on-4 Dental Implants?
Dentists and researchers generally agree that All-on-4 treatment is an effective and reliable procedure with a high success rate. In the words of its inventor, Dr Paulo Malo, All-on-4 offers predictable “full-arch rehabilitation with good results in the short, medium and long term”. Various clinical studies and reviews have confirmed the effectiveness of this treatment concept. A systematic review of All-on-4 published in 2017 that analysed 728 clinical articles found that these implants had an excellent success rate of 99.8 % for two years. Another study that analysed 136 All-on-4 restorations (or a total of 544 implants) over a year found that the implants had a high survival rate of 95.7% or higher. A review of clinical research on All-on-4 treatments published in 2014 found that, if done correctly, this treatment provided patients with immediate function and high reliability, with survival rates ranging between 93% and 98%. The takeaway from expert opinion is that All-on-4 is a great treatment option for smile restoration in cases where it’s impossible to salvage the natural teeth.
Do the Pros Outweigh the Cons?
For most people, All-on-4 offers permanent, stable, and cost-effective artificial teeth with minimal risk of complications. The high success rates demonstrated in clinical studies show that this treatment can be life-changing when done right. If your dentist recommends this procedure, then you are likely to benefit from it than not. However, your unique health profile also plays a role in whether this procedure is going to be a success for you. If you are a heavy smoker or a drinker, the risk for complications is generally considered to be high. If that is the case, you will need to discuss your options with your dentist and decide on the best course of action.
Common Questions Patients Have about All-on-4 Dental Implants
These are the typical burning questions many prospective patients have regarding these types of implants:
Why would a dentist not recommend an implant?
A dentist will not recommend implants for patients who have extremely low jawbone density, severe gum (periodontal) disease, or have underlying medical conditions that could complicate the surgery or increase the risk of the body rejecting the implant. Dental implants are either drilled into the jawbone or attached to the gumline. If you have very serious health problems affecting these structures, a dentist will advise you to forgo implants. Certain medical conditions, especially diabetes, osteoporosis, and autoimmune diseases, increase the risk of complications from the dental implant surgery. Diseases that affect bone structure could prevent the implant from properly fusing with the jawbone. In such cases, the risk is too high for the dentist to proceed with the surgery. Dentists also consider lifestyle habits when recommending implants. Generally, implants are not recommended for heavy smokers and drinkers, as these habits increase the risk of diseases affecting oral health. Your dentist may recommend that you stop smoking or reduce alcohol intake to qualify for the implant surgery.
Can food get under All-on-4 implants?
Yes, food can get stuck under All-on-4 dental implants if there are gaps between the bridge or between the gumline and the implant. However, this issue is preventable with regular flossing, proper brushing, and keeping up with dental appointments. The smooth surface of the All-on-4 dental bridges makes removing food residue quite easy. If the issue persists, your dentist may be able to close the gaps that are causing the problem.
What is the failure rate of All-on-4 implants?
The failure rate of All-on-4 implants is less than 5% because this treatment has a reportedly high success rate of over 94.8%, according to clinical studies. All-on-4 implants rarely fail on average, but individual health conditions could increase this risk. The rate of implants failing is much higher in patients who smoke regularly or drink heavily.
How much does All-on-4 cost in the UK?
All-on-4 cost in the UK ranges from £9,500 to £18,000 per arch, or up to £34,000 for both arches. Costs vary between clinics and practitioners depending on qualifications, experience, locations, materials and brands used. As the price for this treatment varies quite a bit, it’s recommended to compare what different clinics offer before making your final decision.
Can I get All-on-4 teeth in one day?
You can get the All-on-4 surgical procedure done and receive temporary teeth in a few hours with one appointment. However, receiving your permanent teeth will take some time due to recovery. Once your jaw fully heals from the implantation procedure, which typically takes up to 6 months, your dentist will fix crowns and abutments to the All-on-4 implants, creating prosthetic teeth that will appear and function just like natural teeth.
Are All-on-4 Dental Implants Right for You? Make Your Final Decision with Complete Smiles
With All-on-4, you can avoid lengthy surgical procedures and receive functioning temporary teeth in one appointment. But if you are still concerned about the procedure or its costs, contact us to get clarification. You can come in for a free consultation to get a professional medical opinion on whether All-on-4, or any other, implants are the best option for you.
Dr. Pedro Coelho
Ola! I'm Pedro, a dedicated dentist with a remarkable journey that spans borders and transcends conventional dental care. Born in the picturesque country of Portugal, my path in dentistry has been driven by a profound desire to make a difference in people's lives.