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Restorative

All-on-4 and full-arch implants

All-on-4 is a full-arch treatment that replaces an entire upper or lower set of teeth with a fixed bridge anchored to four dental implants, so the teeth stay in the mouth instead of coming out at night.

How a full-arch case runs here

All-on-4 is for people who have lost most of an arch or are close to it. Rather than giving every missing tooth its own implant, four implants are angled to make the most of the bone you still have, and one fixed bridge is secured onto them. The bridge does not come out. For most patients that is the entire point, because a plate that clicks, slips, or needs adhesive is a reminder several times a day and a fixed arch is not.

A full-arch case needs three sets of hands and all three are in this practice. Our oral surgery dentist removes any remaining teeth and carries out the pre-prosthetic surgery. Our board-certified periodontist places the implants. A restorative dentist then designs and delivers the bridge, working from photos, digital scans, and a wax-up so you see the shape and shade before anything is final. Because that happens under one roof, the surgical plan and the prosthetic plan are made together rather than posted between two offices.

All-on-4 is not automatically the right answer. It needs enough bone in the right places, which a 3D scan settles quickly, and it costs considerably more than a conventional denture that fits well. Plenty of patients are better served by an implant-supported overdenture on two implants, which snaps in for stability but still comes out at night, and sits between the two on both cost and convenience. We plan the case, price each option in writing, and leave the choice to you. CareCredit and Cherry are available if you want to spread the cost.

Who it's a good fit for

  • You have lost most of the teeth in an upper or lower arch, or are close to it
  • Your denture slips, clicks, or needs adhesive and you want teeth that stay put
  • You have been quoted for full-arch implants elsewhere and want a second opinion
  • You want the surgery and the final teeth handled by one team, not two offices
  • You want to know whether All-on-4 or a two-implant overdenture suits your bone

What to expect

  1. Consult: exam, 3D scan, and a written estimate for each option worth considering
  2. Planning: the surgical and prosthetic plans are built together before surgery
  3. Surgery day: remaining teeth removed, implants placed, sedation available
  4. Same day: a temporary set of fixed teeth, so you do not leave without teeth
  5. Final bridge: fitted once the implants have fused, roughly 3 to 6 months later

Common questions

What is the difference between All-on-4 and a regular denture?
A conventional denture rests on the gums, comes out, and relies on suction or adhesive to stay put. All-on-4 is a fixed bridge screwed onto four implants, so it never comes out and chewing force goes into the jawbone rather than the gum tissue. An implant-supported overdenture sits between the two: it snaps onto 2 to 4 implants for stability, but you still remove it at night.
Do I leave the surgery without teeth?
No. Most patients leave the same day with a temporary set of fixed teeth, so there is no period of going without. You eat soft foods while the implants fuse to the bone over roughly 3 to 6 months, then the final bridge is made and fitted once healing is complete.
What is recovery actually like?
Swelling and soreness peak in the first two or three days, and most people plan on 2 to 5 days away from work. After that it is a soft diet and ordinary care while the implants integrate. We see you for healing checks along the way, and you have a number to call if anything feels wrong between visits.
Am I too old, or is there too little bone left?
Age on its own rarely rules anyone out; general health and healing matter far more. Bone is the real question, and it is a measurable one. The 3D scan shows exactly how much is left and where, which is what the angled implant placement is designed to work around. Where there genuinely is not enough, grafting or a different plan is the honest answer, and we say so rather than proceeding anyway.
How long do full-arch implants last?
The implants themselves often last decades and frequently a lifetime, with published long-term success rates for full-arch cases in the region of 95 to 98 percent. The bridge attached to them is the part that wears, much like any other dental work, and may need repair or replacement over that span. Keeping up with cleanings and the recommended home care is what separates the two outcomes.
Does insurance cover All-on-4?
Partially, at best. Most dental plans contribute something toward extractions and sometimes toward the prosthetic, but annual maximums are usually well below the cost of a full arch. We verify your benefits, apply whatever they cover, and give you a written estimate of the balance before you commit. CareCredit and Cherry can spread the remainder over monthly payments.
Are full-arch implants FSA or HSA eligible?
Yes. Extractions, implant placement, bone grafting, sedation, and the prosthetic itself all restore function, which makes them eligible expenses under an FSA or HSA. Because the treatment usually spans months, some patients time the stages across two plan years to use two years of contributions.
Where is the surgery done?
In our own operatories, at either the Lincoln Park or the Schaumburg office, with oral or IV sedation if you want it. Nothing about a full-arch case is sent out to a surgical center or another practice, so the team planning your final teeth is the team that placed the implants.

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Available at both offices. Pick the one that's closer to you.

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