If you’re facing the loss of most or all of your teeth—or already live with a partial or full denture—All-on-4®1 offers a predictable path back to a stable, attractive smile. Rather than restoring each tooth individually, this method supports an entire arch with a small number of implants placed in strategic positions. The result is a full set of teeth that look natural and are ready for immediate function in many cases.
This approach is designed to minimize the number of surgical sites and streamline the restorative process, helping patients avoid long periods without teeth. From the day of surgery you can often leave the office with a provisional prosthesis that restores chewing, speech, and appearance while your mouth heals and integrates with the implants.
All-on-4® is a solution that balances clinical efficiency with patient comfort, making it an option worth exploring for adults who want to move from missing or failing teeth to a dependable, full-arch restoration.
Treatment begins with a comprehensive evaluation: digital scans, 3D imaging, and a thorough review of medical and dental history. These diagnostic tools allow the restorative team to design a custom plan that considers bone anatomy, bite relationships, and aesthetic goals. Planning is essential to determine ideal implant positions and the shape of the final prosthesis.
On the day of surgery, four implants are typically placed into the jaw in locations that maximize support and stability. Two posterior implants are often angled to make the most of available bone and to avoid anatomical structures, while two anterior implants are placed more vertically. This configuration provides a strong foundation for a full-arch prosthesis without requiring extensive grafting in many patients.
Immediately after implant placement, a provisional (temporary) arch is attached so you can leave the office with a functioning set of teeth. Over the following months the implants integrate with the jawbone; once healing is complete, the provisional is replaced with a carefully crafted final prosthesis that emphasizes comfort, durability, and a natural appearance.
The treatment team coordinates both the surgical and restorative phases, ensuring that aesthetics, function, and long-term maintenance are all built into the plan from the outset.
Beyond cosmetic improvements, restoring an entire arch with a fixed prosthesis often delivers measurable functional gains. Patients typically notice clearer speech, improved ability to chew a wider variety of foods, and greater day-to-day confidence in social settings. A stable prosthesis eliminates many of the common frustrations associated with removable dentures, such as slipping or sore spots.
Implant-supported restorations also play an important role in preserving jaw health. When implants replace missing tooth roots, they help maintain stimulation to the underlying bone, reducing the bone loss that naturally follows long-term tooth absence. That preservation contributes to facial support and helps maintain the proportions of your smile over time.
Finally, because the All-on-4® approach relies on fewer implants and a fixed prosthesis, many patients find it easier to clean and care for their new teeth than they expected. Routine maintenance—good home hygiene and regular professional checkups—keeps the restoration functioning well for years.
Immediate recovery following implant placement generally involves a short period of swelling and tenderness that subsides within days to a few weeks. Your care team will provide clear instructions for managing discomfort and protecting the surgical sites. A temporary diet is often recommended while the implants integrate, then gradually broadened as healing progresses and comfort returns.
Oral hygiene remains a cornerstone of long-term success. While the final prosthesis can feel different from natural teeth, cleaning around implants and under the prosthesis—using tools such as interdental brushes or water irrigation—will be reviewed during follow-up visits. Regular professional examinations help detect and address any issues early, and the practice will often schedule periodic maintenance appointments specific to implant-supported restorations.
As healing completes and your final prosthesis is delivered, the team will verify bite, fit, and aesthetics to make sure the restoration meets your expectations and functions smoothly. With appropriate care, most patients enjoy a durable, predictable outcome that supports their oral health and daily life.
Not every patient is best suited for the same approach, which is why a personalized consultation is the first and most important step. During your visit, the dental team will evaluate your overall health, bone structure, and goals to determine whether an All-on-4® restoration aligns with your needs. Alternative solutions and potential adjunctive treatments will be discussed openly so you can make an informed decision.
If All-on-4® looks like a good fit, the practice will outline a clear, step-by-step plan from diagnostics through final restoration. Expect a collaborative process: your questions, aesthetic preferences, and lifestyle considerations will shape the treatment so the final result feels both natural and practical for daily living.
For experienced, patient-focused care, consider a consultation with Dodson Brothers Dentistry. Our team will walk you through the diagnostic process, explain what healing and maintenance involve, and help you weigh the benefits of a fixed, full-arch restoration for your smile.
To learn more about whether All-on-4® may be right for you, contact Dodson Brothers Dentistry for additional information and to schedule a personalized consultation.
1All-on-4 is a registered trademark of Nobel Biocare.
The All-on-4 treatment concept offers an implant-based solution to patients who have lost all of their upper and/or lower teeth. This remarkable method of care helps patients quickly rebuild complete and beautiful smiles. With All-on-4, your new, and complete set of implant-supported replacement teeth feel secure, stable, and much like your very own.
If you currently wear complete upper and/or lower dentures or are slated to have your remaining teeth extracted, you may be a candidate for All-on-4. First Performed by Dr. Paulo Malo in 1998, the All-on-4 treatment concept has helped hundreds of thousands of patients quickly reestablish attractive smiles that look, feel, and function just like a set of natural teeth!
The All-on-4 treatment concept offers a fixed and permanent alternative to removable dentures. Unlike dentures, All-on-4 does not rely on messy dental adhesives or natural suction to hold your new set of teeth in place. With All-on-4, your replacement teeth are permanently secured by dental implants, giving you a smile that looks not only great but also feels secure and stable. You'll feel comfortable and confident as you speak, smile, and chew with ease.
While traditional full arch implants also achieve outstanding results of care, the All-On-4 treatment concept does not involve bone grafting and requires fewer implants to support a full set of teeth. With just four strategically placed dental implants needed to support an entire set of upper or lower teeth, the All-on-4 treatment concept offers a cost-effective and satisfying solution for rebuilding a complete smile. Thanks to this remarkable method of care, patients can experience the satisfaction of having teeth placed the same day as surgery. This key feature allows patients to smile and function with confidence until healing is complete and the permanent restorations installed.
Once it's been determined that you're a candidate for treatment with All-on-4, the process of treatment planning and designing your new smile begins. 3D diagnostic records provide the detailed information required to determine the exact positions of the four supporting dental implants. Then, on the day of surgery, we'll remove any remaining teeth, place the 4 implants, and insert a set of attractive, sturdy, and functional set of temporary teeth. With All-on-4, temporary teeth can be placed right away with a customized, permanent set to follow once the implants become fully integrated with the surrounding bone.
With All-on-4, temporary teeth can be placed right away with a customized, permanent set to follow within just a few months after the implants become fully integrated with the surrounding bone.
Thanks to All-on-4, patients enjoy permanent teeth that look, feel, and function just like real teeth. And with a patient satisfaction rate that exceeds 95%, the All-on-4 treatment concept restores your smile, your confidence, and allows you to enjoy once again the foods you love!
Maintaining your All-on-4 smile requires the same care as a natural smile. By cleaning your teeth twice daily, after meals as possible, and scheduling appointments for routine checkups as well as care, you can keep your new smile strong and healthy for years to come. Our office will demonstrate the most effective methods of oral hygiene and answer all your questions as to how to care for your new smile.
All-on-4® is a full-arch tooth replacement method that uses a small number of strategically placed dental implants to support a fixed prosthesis for an entire upper or lower arch. Instead of replacing each missing tooth with an individual implant, this approach secures a complete set of teeth to four (or sometimes more) implants positioned to maximize support and stability. Patients frequently receive a provisional prosthesis on the same day, restoring appearance and basic function while the implants integrate with the jawbone.
Compared with traditional implant treatments that require one implant per tooth or extensive grafting, All-on-4® is designed to be more surgically efficient and to reduce the need for bone augmentation in many cases. The posterior implants are often angled to use existing bone and avoid anatomical structures, which helps create a strong foundation without additional grafting procedures. This combination of planning and implant angulation distinguishes All-on-4® from more conventional restorative strategies.
Good candidates for All-on-4® are adults who are missing most or all teeth in an arch, are unhappy with removable dentures, or have failing teeth that are not salvageable. Candidates should have reasonably healthy jawbone in the areas where implants will be placed, or be evaluated to determine if minimal grafting or alternative implant positions can provide adequate support. A comprehensive medical and dental review is essential because systemic conditions, medications, and smoking can influence healing and implant success.
At our Kihei office the team will perform digital scans and 3D imaging to assess bone anatomy, bite relationships, and aesthetic goals to determine suitability. If All-on-4® is not the best option, the team will discuss alternatives such as individual implants, implant overdentures, or other restorative paths. The final recommendation is always personalized to match the patient’s health, function, and lifestyle needs.
Treatment planning begins with a thorough clinical exam, high-resolution digital scans, and 3D cone beam imaging to map bone volume and critical anatomical landmarks. These diagnostic tools allow the restorative and surgical team to design implant positions that optimize support, occlusion, and aesthetic outcomes while avoiding nerves and sinuses. The planning phase also includes designing the provisional and final prosthesis so that form and function are coordinated from the start.
Careful planning helps predict whether angled posterior implants will provide sufficient anchorage or if adjunctive procedures are necessary, and it informs the fabrication of a temporary prosthesis to be placed at the time of surgery. This coordinated approach reduces surprises during surgery and improves the likelihood of a smooth transition from provisional to final restoration. Clear communication between the patient and clinicians during planning ensures that aesthetic preferences and functional goals are incorporated into the final plan.
On the day of surgery the team places the planned implants into the jaw, typically inserting two more vertically in the front and two angled implants in the back to maximize bone support. If needed, failing teeth may be removed and any local bone smoothing performed before implant placement, and the surgical field is managed with attention to comfort and sterility. When the implants achieve sufficient primary stability, a provisional prosthesis is attached so the patient can leave the office with a functional arch.
Patients receive detailed postoperative instructions regarding pain control, oral hygiene, and dietary restrictions to protect the surgical sites during initial healing. The team schedules follow-up visits to monitor healing and to adjust the provisional prosthesis as needed while osseointegration occurs. Final restoration is completed after the implants have integrated and the team confirms fit, bite, and aesthetics.
Initial recovery commonly includes swelling, mild to moderate discomfort, and some bruising, which usually peaks within the first few days and improves over one to two weeks. Patients are typically advised to follow a soft or blended diet for several weeks while avoiding excessive pressure on the provisional prosthesis. Good rest, gentle oral hygiene, and adherence to the practice’s aftercare instructions help minimize complications and support early healing.
Osseointegration, the process by which implants fuse with the jawbone, takes several months and determines when the final prosthesis can be delivered. During this period the team will schedule periodic checkups to evaluate healing, oral hygiene, and the fit of the provisional restoration. Once integration is confirmed, the provisional is replaced with a definitive prosthesis designed for long-term function and comfort.
All-on-4® can restore reliable chewing function and clearer speech compared with removable dentures, allowing patients to enjoy a broader range of foods and greater confidence when speaking or smiling. The fixed nature of the prosthesis eliminates many of the mechanical inconveniences of traditional dentures, such as slippage and sore spots, which improves everyday comfort and social ease. Restoring a stable arch also makes home care routines more predictable and often easier to maintain than a series of failing teeth or ill-fitting prosthetics.
From a biological standpoint, dental implants replace tooth roots and provide mechanical stimulation to the underlying bone, which helps slow the bone loss that commonly follows tooth loss. Preserving jawbone contributes to facial support and can help maintain natural proportions over time. This combination of functional and anatomical benefits is a key reason many patients choose implant-supported full-arch restoration.
Potential risks with All-on-4® include surgical site infection, implant failure, numbness from nerve irritation, sinus complications in the upper arch, and prosthetic issues such as loosened screws or wear on the restoration. While these events are not common, they are important to discuss during treatment planning so patients understand possible outcomes and warning signs. The practice reduces these risks through careful imaging and planning, aseptic surgical technique, and selection of appropriate implant locations and components.
Risk management also includes patient preparation such as optimizing systemic health and advising on smoking cessation, along with appropriate postoperative care and monitoring. If complications occur, the clinical team has protocols for early intervention, which may include antibiotics, adjustments to the prosthesis, or, in rare cases, revision surgery. Open communication and regular follow-up appointments help identify and address issues promptly for the best possible prognosis.
Daily care begins with thorough home hygiene to keep tissues and implant surfaces clean; this typically includes twice-daily brushing and cleaning around implant abutments with interdental brushes or specialized floss. Many patients benefit from adjunctive devices such as water irrigators to clean under the prosthesis and to remove food particles that can accumulate along the gum line. Maintaining consistent home care habits reduces the risk of peri-implant inflammation and supports long-term implant health.
In addition to home care, routine professional maintenance is essential and may include periodic screw checks, professional cleanings targeted to implant restorations, and assessment of prosthesis fit. The clinical team will recommend an individualized maintenance schedule based on your oral health, prosthesis design, and any risk factors present. Prompt attention to sore spots, loosened components, or persistent inflammation helps prevent small issues from becoming more serious over time.
The longevity of an All-on-4® restoration depends on multiple factors including the quality of implant integration, the materials used in the prosthesis, the patient’s oral hygiene and general health, and how well the restoration is maintained. Properly placed and well-maintained implants can last many years or decades, while prosthetic components may require periodic maintenance or replacement due to wear. Patient habits such as smoking or uncontrolled systemic conditions can negatively affect implant longevity and should be addressed as part of long-term planning.
Regular follow-up visits allow the dental team to monitor implant health and to make timely adjustments or repairs to the prosthesis when necessary. If a component fails or if peri-implant disease develops, early treatment often preserves the remaining implants and bone. With attentive care from both the patient and the practice, All-on-4® restorations can provide a durable, functional solution for full-arch tooth replacement.
Scheduling a consultation begins with contacting the Kihei office to arrange an initial visit where the team will review your medical and dental history and perform a clinical evaluation. Diagnostic steps typically include digital scans and 3D imaging so the clinicians can assess bone structure, bite relationships, and aesthetic goals before recommending a tailored treatment plan. During the consultation you can expect a clear explanation of the diagnostic findings, the proposed surgical and restorative sequence, and the anticipated timeline for provisional and final restorations.
To schedule a personalized consultation call (808) 214-9488 or visit the office at 1325 South Kihei Rd., Suite 102B, Kihei, HI 96753 to speak with a member of the team. The staff at Dodson Brothers Dentistry will coordinate diagnostic appointments and answer questions about the process, follow-up care, and what to expect at each stage. A thoughtful, in-person evaluation is the best way to determine whether All-on-4® is an appropriate solution for your smile.
Have questions, need to schedule an appointment, or want to learn more about our services?
Our friendly team is ready to assist you. At Dodson Brothers Dentistry, we make connecting with us easy, convenient, and stress-free.
