All-On-4 Dental Implants in Bromley

All-on-4 is an advanced implant technique designed for patients who have lost most or all of their teeth in one or both jaws, or who have severely failing teeth that need to be removed. Rather than placing an individual implant for each missing tooth, All-on-4 uses just four strategically positioned implants to support a complete arch of fixed teeth. The back implants are angled to maximise the use of available bone and avoid the need for bone grafting in most cases. This means you can often have all your teeth replaced with a fixed, non-removable prosthesis in a single day.

All-on-4 is suitable for many patients who have lost multiple teeth or are facing full-arch tooth loss, but a thorough assessment is essential. We’ll need to evaluate your bone quality and quantity, your overall oral health, and your medical history. Patients with uncontrolled diabetes, heavy smokers, and those with severe bone loss may need additional treatment or might not be ideal candidates. As a specialist prosthodontist, Michael has the advanced training to assess complex cases and determine whether All-on-4 is the right solution for you, or whether an alternative approach would be more appropriate.

The surgical phase of All-on-4 is typically completed in a single day under local anaesthetic or sedation. You’ll have any remaining teeth extracted, four implants placed in each jaw being treated, and a temporary bridge fitted on the same day, which means you’ll leave the practice with a full set of fixed teeth. After a healing period of approximately three to six months, during which the implants integrate with your bone, we’ll replace your temporary bridge with your definitive prosthesis. The entire process from start to finish typically takes around six months.

The procedure itself is carried out under local anaesthetic, so you won’t feel any pain during the surgery. We also offer sedation options if you’re particularly anxious. After the anaesthetic wears off, it’s normal to experience some discomfort, swelling, and bruising for the first few days. After all, you’ve had oral surgery. However, most patients report that the discomfort is manageable with over-the-counter painkillers and is much less than they anticipated. We’ll provide you with comprehensive post-operative instructions and prescribe appropriate pain relief. Most patients return to normal activities within a few days.

With proper care and maintenance, All-on-4 implants can last for many years, often decades. The implants themselves, once successfully integrated into your bone, can potentially last a lifetime. The prosthetic teeth attached to the implants will eventually need replacing due to normal wear and tear, but you’re typically looking at 10-15 years before this becomes necessary. Success depends on several factors, including your oral hygiene, regular professional maintenance, overall health, and lifestyle factors such as smoking.

Although your new teeth are fixed and can’t be removed for cleaning, maintaining excellent oral hygiene is crucial for long-term success. You’ll need to clean around and underneath your prosthesis daily using special interdental brushes, floss threaders, and water flossers. Regular professional maintenance appointments are essential. We typically recommend reviews every three to six months so we can professionally clean your implants and check everything is functioning properly. The cleaning technique is different from natural teeth, and we’ll teach you exactly what you need to do during your follow-up appointments.

All-on-4 provides a fixed, non-removable solution, which means no embarrassing slipping or clicking when you eat or speak. You’ll be able to eat virtually anything you want without worrying about your teeth moving, a freedom that denture wearers rarely enjoy. The biting force with All-on-4 is significantly stronger than with dentures, typically around 70-80% of natural teeth compared to just 20-30% with dentures. There’s no palate coverage, so food tastes better and your speech is more natural. You also avoid the bone loss that occurs under dentures, which causes that “sunken” facial appearance. Whilst All-on-4 is a more significant investment upfront, many patients feel the quality of life improvements are invaluable.

All-on-4 is a complex treatment that sits at the intersection of surgery, implantology, and advanced prosthetic dentistry. As a specialist prosthodontist, Michael has completed extensive postgraduate training specifically in the restoration and replacement of teeth, including complex implant prosthetics and full-mouth rehabilitation. Whilst the surgical placement of implants is important, the design, fabrication, and fitting of the prosthesis requires specialist expertise to ensure optimal aesthetics, function, and longevity. Michael’s specialist training means he can manage your entire treatment from planning through to the final result, ensuring every aspect is executed to the highest standard.