Table of Contents

Introduction

Guide to All On 4 Dental Implants

All On 4 dental implants is a life-changing procedure that has greatly increased in popularity over the last 15 years.

As a periodontist in the Burbank and Los Angeles area, as well as being in a family of dental professionals my whole life who have been on the cutting edge of dental implant technology and smile restorations, it has been my experience that most people do not understand All On 4 dental implants.

My objective with this guide is to bring clarity and insight to this revolutionary concept of All On 4 dental implants.

So let’s get started.

What Is All On 4 Dental Implants?

If you lack or are missing teeth, you are not alone.

More than 36 million Americans have missing teeth.

Edentulism or missing teeth is no reason to panic. Thanks to rapid innovation in cosmetic dentistry, the dreaded image of traditional dentures in a glass of water or false teeth falling out doesn’t have to be your future.

All-On-4 dental implants provide patients with missing teeth an ideal solution by addressing both functionality and esthetics concerns. In other words, you can have the smile of your dreams and eat your cake too!

“All On 4” Defined

The term “All On 4” is simple. It refers to “all” of the bottom or top teeth supported “on 4” dental implants.

In other words, the All On 4 is a solution to replace a full set of top or bottom teeth with the use of only four dental implants per arch.

All On 4 Dental Implants With the All On 4 treatment procedure, a patient can receive a full arch replacement of new teeth in one day using only four strategically placed dental implants.

Patients with missing teeth can go from being embarrassed about their smile to restoring their smile in just one day! This is why All On 4 dental implants are life-changing!

No more embarrassment with faulty dentures.
No more hiding your mouth when talking.
No more pain when eating.
No more fear of teeth falling out.
No more declining invitations to dine with friends.

“All On 4 dental implants provide you with the smile of your dreams.”

Dr. Diana Sedler

All On 4 Before and After

All On 4 Dental Implants Before and After — Before & After

The All On 4 Dental Implant Procedure

Key Components of the Implant Procedure

The All On 4 procedure consists of the following key components:

Two (2) of the implants are angled and embedded in the rea of the jaw. These angled implants are purposefully titled to maximize the use of available bone;

All On 4 Dental Implants - Burbank Periodontist

The remaining two (2) implants are embedded in the front of the jaw where there is typically more bone tissue; and,

Cutting Edge Periodontist - Dental Implants

A temporary prosthetic denture is attached to the implants the same day.

Once the healing process is complete, a final and permanent prosthetic denture is attached.

Established Clinical Success

The All On 4® implant solution is the most state-of-the-art cosmetic dental treatment for people with missing teeth.

The All On 4® treatment procedure has many years of documented clinical success. In 1998, a dentist named Paulo Malo treated his first patient with the All On 4 technique following extensive research and development funded by implant manufacturer Nobel Biocare. His objective was to invent a cost-effective alternative to conventional implant techniques. He succeeded.

Over the past 20 years, the All On 4® process has refined and perfected. Today, dental clinics such as Cutting Edge Periodontist offer the latest in All On 4® technology.

Many scientific studies involve hundreds of patients who have documented the success of All On 4® dental implants. These studies evaluated the success of treatments based on the immediate results after the procedure. They evaluated the outcomes on the long-term success of the All On 4® by following up on patients 5-18 years after treatments.

Here is what they learned:

For the lower jaw (e.g., mandible), the outcomes after 10-18 years are as follows:

93% implant cumulative success rate
98.8% prosthetic success rate

For the lower jaw (e.g., mandible), the outcomes after 5-13 years of follow-up are as follows:

93.9% implant cumulative success rate
99.2% prosthetic success rate

These studies prove All On Four dental implants have a long track record of successful results in the short, medium, and long terms.

How Much Do All On 4 Dental Implants Cost?

Influences That Impact Cost for All On 4 Dental Implants

If you search Google for “How much do dental implants cost?” you will find that it is the most asked question regarding dental implants.

The question is asked over 11,000 times a month on Google!

People, maybe like yourself, searching “How much do dental implants cost?” clicked 8,600 times on articles like the one you are reading now to get an answer.

I believe what I’m about to share with you is the answer that 8,600 people are searching for each month.

Before I give you my answer, let me share the eight most prevalent influences on the price for All On 4 dental implants.

8 Influences That Impact Cost for All On 4 Dental Implants

1. Teeth extraction

Although this is a minimal impact on the overall price, I share it because it is an influence.

2. CT Scan

A CT scan is a small fee, but I cannot stress how important it is to get one.

3. Bone graft

If you do not have sufficient bone in your jaw for dental implants, it will be necessary to build up and reinforce the bone with a bone graft.

We will be able to determine if a bone graft is necessary following a CT scan.

4. Sedation

The least expensive form of sedation is oral sedation. It is also the most commonly quoted fee upfront when shopping for dental implants.

If you choose intravenous (IV) sedation, it will significantly impact your cost.

If you choose, general anesthesia expects a hefty jump in price.

5. Number of implants

The number of implants impacts the final price greatly.

Will you need upper jaw, lower jaw, or both?

6. Implant surgery

I like to break this down into three levels:

Level 1: If you have sufficient bone in your jaw, you are part of 80 to 85% of patients who will need minimal implant surgery, thus less cost.

Level 2: if you have sufficient bone but substantially sized upper sinuses, you are part of the 5 to 10% of patients who will require advanced implant surgery, impacting the cost.

Level 3: If you do not have sufficient bone for dental implants, you are part of about 3 to 5% of patients who need extensive implant surgery, impacting the cost.

7. Teeth the same day — Often referred to as Teeth In A Day

Teeth In A Day are custom dental implants utilizing the All On 4 dental implant technology that restores the full set of upper and/or lower teeth.

They are replacement teeth using four (4) dental implants.

Teeth In A Day are a beautiful set of new permanent teeth that become your smile in a one-day procedure, attaching them to just four implants.

8. Quality fo final teeth

There are several options for your final restorations that impact the price.

You can choose from less expensive titanium and acrylic resin teeth to premium but costly titanium and zirconia restorations.

The right periodontist or implant specialist will show you the pros and cons of each option to help you make an informed decision.

Now, my answer — How Much Do Dental Implants Cost?

Suppose for a moment we were meeting for an introductory consultation. I would ask you questions that would provide me insight into what’s important to you about your new smile.

I would take the time to review the eight items I mentioned above that influence price and walk through those with you to help you make an informed decision that you will like.

Custom Built To Serve You

It may be that you compromise on the quality of the final teeth to achieve a great new smile but for a lower price than the highest quality of materials.

Regardless, you will see all the factors that make up the price of dental implants, whether you use Cutting Edge Periodontist or any other dental implant provider.

I avoid the bait and switch like some dental implant chains to get patients in the front door. I want my patients to be informed and provide total transparency.

Getting Started with All On 4 Dental Implants

Steps Recommended by Dr. Diana Sedler Before Getting All On 4 Dental Implants

Deciding on All On 4 dental implants is not only exciting, but it can also be exhausting and confusing. If you are just starting your research on All On 4 dental implants, the treatment process may seem complicated or confusing. However, the concept of All On 4 dental implants is rather simple to explain. Four implants support an entire arch (upper jaw and lower jaw) of custom-designed teeth.

Where the confusion lies in All On 4 dental implants is in the details — or process. To simplify the process and eliminate any confusion, I will provide you with the steps you should take before the actual implant surgery, placement, and fitting of your new teeth. This pre-operative process is vital for the success of your All On 4 treatment procedure.

One of the biggest allures of All On 4 dental implants is the speedy execution and implementation. Many patients can receive prosthetics in just a single sitting. The entire All On 4 surgical procedure, from start to finish, can often be accomplished in one day. Of course, before receiving All On 4 dental implants, patients will often undergo a preliminary evaluation to determine their suitability for the procedure. This critical process includes evaluating a patient’s aesthetic and functional needs and desires, a physical examination, and, if necessary, preoperative and preparatory work.

While the ability to produce a beautiful set of new teeth for our patients in just a single day is technically impressive, there are essential preliminary steps we recommend to our patients to ensure the patient’s health, safety, and quality control. Our goal is to provide you with a smooth and comfortable experience but also achieve perfect results.

That’s why preparation is vital.

The following are the initial steps I recommend before getting All On 4 dental implants.

These studies prove All On Four dental implants have a long track record of successful results in the short, medium, and long terms.

Step 1: Initial consultation with a specialist

The first step is to choose a qualified specialist. While many dental clinics employ dentists and other specialists, such as periodontists and specialized oral surgeons, it is important to consult with a specialist who understands all the All-On-4 dental implant process’s ins and outs.

Think of the initial consultation as a mutual interview to determine the goals and objectives and bond between the doctor and patient. We consider each patient to be like our extended dental family. That means that we’ll be there for you from the very beginning of the All-On-4 procedure through the life of the prosthesis. The initial consultation is the perfect opportunity for our customers to get to know the doctors and staff, review their tooth restoration options, determine any potential obstacles, and get answers to all your questions.

Step 2: Professional oral examination

If all goes well with Step 1, you should schedule a professional oral examination next.

While the initial consultation is intended for our patients to get to know us and share their dental goals and objectives, the oral examination allows us to get informed about our patients existing oral and dental history.

Understanding existing conditions is critical for developing a personalized dental treatment plan unique to each patient. The professional examination also gives our doctors the information they need to design an All On 4 plan to produce the optimum results.

An important oral examination component consists of diagnostic imaging, including x-rays and CT scans. The data assembled will impact the patient’s individualized treatment plan and guide the implantation process’s planning and execution.

Step 3: Acquire digital mockups

With specialized imaging technology and in-house fabrication equipment, based on the information obtained during the initial consultation and professional exam, it is possible to produce digital or physical mock-ups of each patient’s individual All On 4 prosthetic.

Mock-ups allow us to help patients visualize what their new teeth will look like and allow both the patient and the doctor to evaluate options and make any necessary adjustments. During this step, oral scans and computerized dental impressions may be necessary.

Mockups also provide our team with a simple, cost-effective way to visualize a patient’s All On 4 dental implants and ideas to improve the treatment plan before execution.

Step 4: Pre-operative preparations

Once you have concluded your initial meeting, received an oral examination, and approved the digital or physical mockup, there’s just one step left: the preoperative preparation stage.

Depending on each person’s pre-existing oral conditions, the preparatory stage may require extensive dental work or nothing at all. For example, patients who have inadequate jaw bone depth or density, which is essential to hold the implants in place, may require a bone graft procedure before getting All-On-4 dental implants. Meanwhile, a patient with no pre-existing oral issues may require little to no preoperative preparatory work.

The exact treatments and preparations necessary will be determined by your initial consultation as well as the results of your oral examination.

Examples of preoperative preparatory procedures include:

Treating existing periodontal disease.
Cleaning existing dental plaque or bacterial infections.
Extracting damaged teeth.
Grafting new bone tissues.
Suturing wounds.

Why Quality Matters

When It Comes to Dental Implants, Does Quality Matter?

When It Comes To Dental Implants, Does Quality Matter?

The short answer: Yes, very much so.

Getting dental implants is a long-term investment. It affects not only your physical appearance but also your health. As a result, the quality of your dental implants matters.

From dental implant material to surgical execution to postoperative care, quality matters when it comes to dental implants. Many people make a critical mistake in getting dental implants that often end up costing them a lot more money than they expected–and sometimes costing them even their teeth!

When it comes to making the right decision regarding dental implants, there are several considerations for why quality matters, such as:

Quality of materials
Life Cycle Cost
Sufficient bone for implant
CT scan
Preferred sedation
Level of implant surgery required
Same day teeth
Final Restorations and proper placement
Choosing a highly skilled and talented doctor

Unfortunately, many patients focus only on the quality of the materials or construction of their dental implant prosthetics without considering other aspects of a dental implantation procedure, including preparatory work, surgical implantation, and follow-up care necessary for a successful dental implant procedure.

At Cutting Edge Periodontist, we take quality seriously. We understand that for a dental implantation procedure to be considered a success, the entire process must be meticulously planned and executed from start to finish.

Our commitment to operational quality doesn’t just start and stop with the dental implants themselves. Instead, our commitment to the best possible quality of service covers substantially more from the initial consultation to the follow-up care we provide after the implants are put in place.

Here’s how we make quality a priority (and why it matters):

Step 1: Quality of Preparation

Before we can even begin the design and fabrication of your custom dental implants, we make it a priority to make quality preparations. The steps we build into the initial kickoff of your dental implantation journey, including initial consultation, oral examination, and 3D imaging, and pre-implantation preparatory work designed to ensure a successful and quality dental implant operation.

The inclusion of a rigorous preparatory stage is crucial for the long-term success of your dental implants. For example, the initial consultation may reveal that you require a bone graft before receiving implants. This procedure will ensure that your implants have adequate bone tissue to bond to; it will also dramatically improve the odds that your implants will last for many years. A dental clinic that rushes through the preparation stages may miss key insights that can be pivotal in your dental implants’ long-term success or failure.

Step 2: Quality of materials and fabrication

Your dental implants are fabricated, how they are made, and what they are made of are three significant factors that impact your dental implants’ quality and durability.

Needless to say, we take extreme measures to ensure that every patient’s dental implants are not only fabricated from quality, dental-grade premium materials but that is made with exceptional precision and accuracy.

No two patient’s dental implant assemblies will be exactly the same. That’s why we tailor all our dental implant plans to each individual and utilize the best materials, fabrication processes, and state-of-the-art technology to make your dental implants look great and are durable to last many years, if not a lifetime.

Your dental implants will play a key vital role in your quality of life, from eating to speaking to simply smiling and interacting with people.

Step 3: Quality of execution

The surgical placement of dental implants requires immense skill, talent, and expertise.

At Cutting Edge Periodontist, we pride ourselves on our execution according to each patient’s personalized treatment plan. Our patients know that they are in good care with our highly credentialed and experienced specialists, including a team of certified periodontists and dental professionals.

Periodontists are specialists who have undergone years of additional training, skill-building, and licensure to execute dental implant procedures with the highest skills to produce beautiful All On 4 dental implants.

Periodontists are experts in the design, fabrication, and placement of dental implants. To become a periodontist, a candidate must complete dental school and undergo years of specialized training. Then, they must also pass rigorous board examinations to receive certification. The entire process is designed to ensure only the top dental practitioners can become periodontists.

Step 4: Quality of care

Your dental implants’ actual fabrication and surgical insertion are only part of the overall dental implant journey.

After the implants have been successfully inserted, you will need to take about six weeks to several months to recover fully. During this time, we make sure our patients know that we are there for them and assist in their recovery.

Dr. Sedler will also provide valuable insights into the recovery process and expert advice on ensuring a smooth healing period.

We will work with you to schedule follow-up appointments after the implants’ placement to carefully monitor the recovery process and aver any possible complications.

Step 5: Quality of experience

Together, we believe our commitment to quality across the board leads to a comprehensive quality of our patients’ experience.

From the moment you step into our dental clinic, the goal is to provide you the beautiful smile you want and dream of.