A lot of people have heard about the All-on-4 dental implants technique. Let’s explain what’s involved in this treatment and why we do not recommend it.
The All-on-4 dental implants technique was designed by Dr. Paulo Maló, a dentist in Portugal. It was designed to be a shortcut—to try to replace all a patient’s teeth in cases where there is bone atrophy, without resorting to bone grafting.
Our Concerns about All-On-4 Dental Implants
Four angled implants for an All-on-4 case
This technique involves placing four dental implants placed in the anterior region of the jaw. In order to try to provide more stability when there is not enough bone to support regular implants, these four are highly angled. See the x-ray below for an illustration of this.
The best way to explain our concern with this technique is that it is a shortcut. There is a reason that bone grafting has become the standard of care in cases where there is bone atrophy. Studies seem to show that there is an increased level of risk with All-on-4 dental implants.
Another concern with this technique is bone atrophy.
Whenever teeth are extracted, your body reacts by resorbing the bone that used to be needed to support those teeth. When dental implants are placed, they stimulate the bone and prevent this atrophy. But with the All-on-4 technique, implants are only placed in the anterior part of the jaw, which leaves the posterior vulnerable to atrophy, weakening, and possible jaw fracture later in life.
All-On-4 Dental Implants Consultation
For some patients, where the All-on-4 technique may be appropriate, the benefits may outweigh the risks. If you think this may apply to you, call our office to schedule an appointment or a complimentary consultation with Dr. Thein. He will discuss the pros and cons of this treatment option with you.