All on 4 Dental Implants in O’Fallon, IL
Fixed full arch tooth replacement supported by dental implants
All on 4 can replace a full arch of missing or failing teeth with a fixed restoration supported by strategically placed dental implants.
At Spring Valley Dental Group, we evaluate your bone, bite, oral health, and goals to determine whether a fixed full arch approach is right for you.
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What Are All on 4 Dental Implants?
All on 4 is a full arch dental implant treatment for people who need to replace most or all of the teeth in an upper or lower arch.
Instead of placing an individual implant for every missing tooth, strategically positioned implants support one connected set of replacement teeth. The restoration stays fixed in place during everyday use and is removed only by a dental professional when necessary.
Despite the name, treatment planning is not simply about using exactly four implants. The number and position of implants depend on your anatomy, available bone, bite, and restorative needs.
This is different from a traditional denture, which rests primarily on the gums, and from a removable implant supported denture that the patient takes out for cleaning.
Who Is a Candidate for All on 4?
All on 4 may be worth considering if you are missing most or all of your teeth, have several teeth that cannot predictably be restored, or are frustrated with the movement and limitations of traditional dentures.
You may be a candidate if you:
- need to replace most or all teeth in one arch
- want a fixed alternative to a removable denture
- have loose or uncomfortable traditional dentures
- have multiple failing, broken, or severely compromised teeth
- want greater stability for eating and speaking
- have enough healthy bone in appropriate areas for implant placement
- are healthy enough for implant surgery and able to maintain the restoration long term
All on 4 vs. Snap In Implant Supported Dentures
Both treatments use dental implants to provide greater stability than a traditional denture, but they work differently.
Snap In Implant Supported Dentures
A snap in implant supported denture attaches to implants for support but can still be removed by the patient.
Many people like this approach because it provides added stability while remaining easy to remove for cleaning.
All on 4
An All on 4 restoration is fixed to the implants. You do not take it out at night or remove it for routine cleaning.
It may appeal to someone who strongly prefers teeth that stay in place.
Neither approach is automatically better. Your anatomy, health, bone, bite, hygiene needs, expectations, and budget all play a role in deciding which approach makes sense.
How Does All on 4 Treatment Work?
Treatment begins with a careful evaluation.
We examine your existing teeth and gums, review your medical history, evaluate your bite, and use appropriate imaging to understand your available bone and possible implant locations.
If remaining teeth are present, we consider whether they can reasonably be preserved or whether full arch replacement should be considered.
Once a treatment plan is established, implants are strategically positioned to support the planned restoration. If the surgical portion requires specialist involvement because of anatomy, bone conditions, or case complexity, that care can be coordinated appropriately.
Some patients may be able to receive a fixed temporary restoration while the implants heal. Others may need a different temporary solution during this phase.
Over the following months, the implants integrate with the surrounding bone. Once healing is complete and the tissues have stabilized, the final full arch restoration can be completed.
Can I Get Teeth the Same Day?
Sometimes.
You may hear All on 4 described as “Teeth in a Day.” In appropriate cases, a fixed temporary restoration can be attached on or shortly after the day the implants are placed.
That does not mean the implants have finished healing or that the temporary teeth are the final restoration.
Implant stability, bone quality, anatomy, bite forces, and the overall treatment plan determine whether immediate fixed teeth are appropriate.
We prefer to determine that after evaluating your mouth rather than promise same day treatment before we know whether it is appropriate.
Benefits and Considerations of All on 4
For the right patient, a fixed full arch restoration can provide considerably more stability than a conventional denture.
All on 4 is still a significant surgical and restorative treatment.
Possible complications can include an implant failing to integrate, infection or inflammation around an implant, bone or gum changes, damage or wear to the bridge, difficulty cleaning beneath the restoration, temporary speech changes, and the need for future maintenance or repair.
Careful case selection, treatment planning, good home care, regular dental follow up, and long term maintenance all matter.
The goal is not simply to place implants. It is to create a restoration that functions well, can be maintained, and makes sense for the patient.
Eating, Speaking and Adjusting to All on 4
New implant supported teeth will feel different at first.
A full arch bridge is one connected restoration rather than a row of individual natural teeth. Your tongue, lips, cheeks, and bite need some time to adapt to its shape and position.
Patience during the adjustment period matters. Your dental team can also evaluate the bite, comfort, and fit if something does not feel right.
How Do You Clean All on 4 Teeth?
Fixed does not mean maintenance free.
The restoration stays in your mouth, but the areas around the implants and underneath the bridge still need to be cleaned every day.
Food and plaque can collect underneath a fixed bridge. Keeping these areas clean helps protect the gums and supporting tissues around the implants.
How Long Do All on 4 Implants Last?
Dental implants are intended to provide long term support, but implants and the restoration attached to them are different components.
The implants may remain healthy for many years with good care, while parts of the bridge may eventually need maintenance, repair, or replacement because of normal wear or changes in the mouth.
Longevity depends on many factors, including oral hygiene, supporting bone and gum health, smoking, general health, bite forces, home care, and regular professional maintenance.
What Happens if an Implant Fails?
Dental implants have a strong record of success, but an implant can fail to integrate during healing or develop complications later.
What happens next depends on where the implant is located, the condition of the remaining implants, the bridge design, available bone, and the reason the implant failed.
In some cases an implant may be replaced or the treatment adapted. Other situations may require additional treatment or changes to the restoration.
This is another reason regular follow up remains important after treatment is complete.
How Much Does All on 4 Cost?
All on 4 treatment is highly individualized, so cost depends on the treatment required.
We can provide a clearer estimate after evaluating your mouth and developing a treatment plan.
Dental insurance coverage varies by plan. Spring Valley Dental Group also accepts CareCredit for patients who prefer financing options, subject to approval.
FAQ About All on 4 Dental Implants
Common questions patients ask when comparing fixed full arch implant treatment with other tooth replacement options.
Are All on 4 teeth removable?
Not by the patient. An All on 4 restoration is fixed to the dental implants and designed to stay in place. A dental professional can remove it when necessary for maintenance or repair.
Can I get temporary teeth the same day?
Some patients can receive a fixed temporary restoration on the day the implants are placed. Whether this is appropriate depends on implant stability, bone quality, anatomy, bite, and the treatment plan.
How long does All on 4 treatment take?
The overall process generally takes several months because the implants need time to integrate with the surrounding bone before the final restoration is completed. The exact timeline varies based on your individual treatment.
Can I eat normally with All on 4?
You will need to follow dietary instructions during the healing period. After the implants have healed and the final restoration is completed, fixed implant supported teeth are designed to provide considerably more chewing stability than conventional dentures.
Can food get under an All on 4 bridge?
Yes. Food and plaque can collect beneath portions of a fixed bridge, which is why daily cleaning underneath the restoration is important.
Can I have All on 4 if I have bone loss?
Possibly. Bone loss does not automatically mean you cannot receive dental implants. Imaging is needed to evaluate how much bone is available, where it is located, and whether additional treatment may be needed.
What is the difference between All on 4 and implant supported dentures?
All on 4 is a fixed full arch implant treatment. Implant supported dentures are a broader category that can include both fixed restorations and removable snap in dentures.
Is All on 4 right for everyone who wears dentures?
No. Some patients may be excellent candidates for fixed treatment, while others may be better served by a traditional denture, removable implant supported denture, or another treatment approach. An examination and appropriate imaging are needed to determine your options.
Choosing the Right Full Arch Tooth Replacement
Replacing an entire arch of teeth is a significant decision, and All on 4 is only one of the options we may discuss.
Some patients do very well with traditional complete dentures. Others want the added stability of a removable implant supported denture. For an appropriate patient who wants a fixed solution, All on 4 may be worth considering.
The goal is to understand what you want your new teeth to do for you, evaluate the condition of your mouth, and then determine which treatment offers the most reasonable path toward that goal.
Find Out Whether All on 4 Is Right for You
If you are facing the loss of multiple teeth, struggling with your current dentures, or wondering whether fixed implant supported teeth are possible, an evaluation is the place to start.
We can review your teeth, bone support, bite, health, and goals and explain which full arch tooth replacement options may be appropriate.
Request an Implant ConsultationSpring Valley Dental Group
904 E Highway 50
O’Fallon, IL 62269
Conveniently located in O’Fallon and minutes from Scott Air Force Base.
Phone:
(618) 632-8471