All-on-4 Dental Implants
Solutions.

An All-on-4 overdenture is a custom prosthetic full-arch bridge supported by 4 implants placed by an oral surgeon. Our clinic specializes in the custom laboratory design, fabrication, and precision fitting of the overdenture prosthetic onto the implant abutments.

Prosthetic fabrication fees depend on chosen materials (acrylic vs zirconia) and laboratory customization. Surgical placement is billed separately by your treating surgeon. Contact our clinic for a detailed prosthetic estimate.

Yes! You get temporary fixed teeth the same day as implant surgery. You walk in with failing teeth or dentures, and walk out with a full set of temporary teeth attached to your new implants. You never go toothless. The temporary teeth are fully functional (though you'll eat soft foods for 6-8 weeks). After 3-6 months of healing, the temporary teeth are replaced with your final prosthesis.

All-on-4 implants can last 20+ years or even a lifetime with proper care. The implants themselves have a 95-98% success rate at 10 years. The prosthesis (denture attached to implants) typically lasts 10-15 years before needing replacement. Replacement prosthesis is A$5,000 – A$10,000. With proper oral hygiene and regular checkups, All-on-4 is a long-term solution.

No, All-on-4 surgery is not painful. You're under local anaesthetic plus IV sedation (or general anaesthetic) during the procedure, so you feel no pain. After surgery, mild to moderate discomfort is normal for 2-3 days and is managed with prescribed pain medication. Swelling and bruising may occur but subside within a week. Most patients return to normal activities within 3-5 days. Many patients report less pain than expected.

Yes! After the healing period (3-6 months), you can eat almost anything with All-on-4. You'll regain 70-80% of your natural chewing ability. Eat steak, apples, corn on the cob, and most foods you enjoyed with natural teeth. During healing (first 6-8 weeks), stick to soft foods. Avoid extremely hard foods like ice or hard candy that could damage the prosthesis. All-on-4 provides far superior chewing ability compared to traditional dentures (which only restore 25-30% of natural chewing).

Most adults missing most or all teeth in one or both arches are candidates for All-on-4 overdentures. You need: sufficient bone density (assessed by your oral surgeon), good overall health, non-smoker or willing to quit, and commitment to excellent oral hygiene. All-on-4 is designed for patients with moderate bone loss (angled implants avoid areas of bone loss). We assess your overdenture prosthetic requirements during consultation.

All-on-4 uses 4 implants per arch. All-on-6 uses 6 implants per arch. All-on-6 provides more stability and better load distribution, making it ideal for heavy chewers, teeth grinders, or patients with moderate to severe bone loss. All-on-6 is A$5,000 – A$10,000 more per arch (approx. A$20,000 – A$35,000+ vs A$15,000 – A$25,000+). For most patients, All-on-4 provides excellent stability. See our [All-on-6 vs All-on-4 comparison](/blog/all-on-6-vs-all-on-4-implants-which-is-better/) for detailed analysis.

All-on-4 teeth are fixed (not removable) and never slip or click. Traditional dentures are removable and often slip, especially lower dentures. All-on-4 restores 70-80% of natural chewing ability vs 25-30% with dentures. All-on-4 preserves jawbone (implants stimulate bone). Dentures accelerate bone loss. All-on-4 is A$15,000 – A$25,000+ per arch. Traditional dentures are A$1,300 – A$2,200. Long-term, All-on-4 provides superior function and quality of life. See our [comparison guide](/blog/implant-dentures-vs-traditional-cost-comparison-melbourne/).

Usually no. All-on-4 was specifically designed to avoid bone grafting by using angled implants that avoid areas of bone loss. 80-90% of patients don't need grafting. However, severe bone loss in the front of the jaw may require minor grafting (A$500 – A$1,500). Your oral surgeon assesses your bone density prior to surgical placement.

Yes, 2-5% of All-on-4 implants fail. Early failure (first 3-6 months) is usually due to insufficient osseointegration (implant doesn't fuse with bone). Late failure (after 1+ years) is usually due to peri-implantitis (gum disease around implants). Smoking, poor oral hygiene, and uncontrolled diabetes increase failure risk. If an implant fails, it can usually be replaced successfully. See our [implant failure guide](/blog/dental-implant-failure-problems-warning-signs/) for warning signs and prevention.

Care for All-on-4 like natural teeth: brush twice daily with a soft toothbrush, floss daily using floss threaders or a water flosser (essential for cleaning around implants), attend checkups every 6 months, and get professional cleanings every 6-12 months. Avoid smoking (increases failure risk). Wear a night guard if you grind your teeth. With proper care, All-on-4 can last 20+ years.