All-On-4 Dental Implants
Here’s everything you need to know about All-On-4 dental implant surgery in Singapore.
All-On-4 Implants – What is it?
The 1960s saw the first placement of a titanium dental implant, a procedure that after years of further research and clinical trials became a game-changer in options to replace missing teeth. Then, in 1998, along came All-on-4 implants, which took the concept to a new level.
The All-on-4 system can replace all your teeth – and restore your smile – in a single day, with fewer implants than conventional implant methods that cost a lot more.
This has made All-on-4 implants an increasingly popular alternative to traditional implants and regular dentures and bridges.If you’re thinking about All-on-4 implants to replace your missing teeth, many questions have probably occurred to you, such as:
- What are All-on-4 implants?
- What are the benefits of All-on-4 implants?
- What is the All-on-4 implant procedure?
- How much do All-on-4 implants cost in Singapore?
Here, we’ll be answering all these questions – and more – to help you understand what you can expect from All-on-4 dental implant treatment in Singapore.
What Are All-on-4 Implants?
All-on-4 implants are permanent full-arch fixed implant bridges.
All-on-4 is a registered trademark of Nobel Biocare, a global leader in innovative implant-based dental solutions. The brand name refers to all teeth being supported on four implants per arch, although sometimes five or six implants may be needed in the upper jaw because of lower bone density.
All-on-4 treatment entails placing two of the implants at an angle that allows a bridge to be supported at the front of the mouth, where the jaw bone is denser and stronger.
Rather than being inserted vertically, these tilting posterior (rear) implants are positioned at a 30-45-degree angle, which facilitates maximum support for your artificial teeth.
Benefits of All-On-4
If you need a full arch of teeth replacing, All-on-4 implant bridges provide superior results compared with conventional dentures.
All-on-4 implants look and work like natural teeth. They provide a fast, permanent solution to replace a full arch of teeth to get an attractive smile and be able to eat what you like, without embarrassment.
The implant bridges are fixed in place so you won’t have the inconvenience of taking out dentures and putting them back in, or having to use messy dental adhesive.
A further benefit of All-on-4 implants is that they maintain facial appearance because they give you artificial tooth roots that promote bone growth as the titanium implant fuses with bone over time to become part of your jaw.
Without the stimulus of a tooth root, jaw bone deteriorates, which can ruin your smile and give your face an ageing, sagging appearance – a problem traditional bridges and dentures can’t fix.
The All-on-4 procedure places implants in a way that takes advantage of stronger bone at the front of the jaw, so there’s usually no need for a bone graft – an invasive, time-consuming and costly procedure.
The All-on-4 Implant Procedure
During the All-on-4 procedure, four to six dental implants are surgically inserted in the upper or lower jaw to support a full dental bridge of 10 to 12 replacement teeth. This generally takes about 2.5 hours per arch.
Initial Consultation and Dental Impressions
The All-on-4 process begins with your initial consultation, during which your dentist will examine your mouth and jaw with the help of X-rays or digital scans. They’ll also assess your jaw bone density to determine optimum placement of the implants.
The next step is taking dental impressions, which are sent to a lab for your bridge to be designed to fit and look like natural teeth.
All-On-4 Surgery
After ensuring your mouth is thoroughly cleaned to remove any harmful bacteria and damaged tissue, your dentist will:
- Drill two or more holes at the front of your jaw for the front implants.
- Drill two holes at the rear – one on each side – angled to give greater support to the rear of the bridge.
- Insert the implants.
- Thoroughly clean your mouth again.
- Stitch the incisions.
- Fit your new teeth.
A temporary bridge will be fitted the same day as your implant surgery, so you’ll walk out with your smile fully rejuvenated and ready to show off to the world– and be able to enjoy your favourite foods again. You’ll get your permanent bridge a few months later.
If you need to have teeth removed ahead of implant placement, this can generally be done the same day.
Anaesthetic Options for All-on-4 Treatment
In most cases, a local anaesthetic – numbing the treatment area – is sufficient for All-on-4 patients. If you’re particularly nervous about the process, you may be offered sedatives to help you relax.
Conscious sedation is usually a better option than a general anaesthetic – safer with fewer potential after effects. However, if you think you’d prefer general anaesthesia for your All-on-4 treatment, ask your dentist about this at your initial consultation.
Recovery After All-on-4 Implants
You can expect some side after All-on-4 implant surgery. These symptoms may include:
- Soreness where the implants were placed.
- A small amount of bleeding.
- Stiff jaw.
- Sore throat.
These issues usually diminish over the first week, and any pain can typically be eased with over-the-counter medication.
Steps you can take to help your recovery after All-on-4 treatment include:
- Start brushing your new teeth with a soft-bristle toothbrush the day after surgery.
- Rest for the first three or four days before resuming normal activities.
- Be careful about what you eat – stick to a liquid diet for up to two weeks, and don’t use a straw, the sucking action from which can loosen blood clots.
All dental implants fuse with bone in the jaw in a process called osseointegration. With traditional implants, this can take several months or longer. With All-on-4, the process tends to be much faster.
All-on-4 Follow-Up Visits
You’ll be asked to return to your dental clinic over a few months after getting your All-on-4 implants. This allows your dentist to monitor your recovery and offer additional advice on ongoing aftercare, so it’s important to attend these appointments as scheduled to ensure the long-term success of your All-On-4 Dental Implants.
All-on-4 Implant Cost
Because All-on-4 uses fewer implants than standard implant procedures – which can need up to 10 implants – it gives you a considerably more affordable option to replace a full set of missing teeth in the upper and/or lower arch.
All-on-4 also generally avoids the need for an expensive and lengthy bone graft if you’ve suffered bone loss in the jaw.
As a permanent solution, All-on-4 implants mean you won’t have to worry about the cost of having to replace dentures – on average every five years.
Medisave for All-on-4 Implants
Singaporeans and permanent residents can reduce All-on-4 implant costs by using Medisave for partial payment of the surgical aspect of the procedure.
You can claim up to $1,250 on Medisave for each implant. If you’ve lost teeth due to injury, you may also be able to claim on your insurance.
Cost of All-On-4 (Before Medisave) per Arch
$15,000 – $26,500
| First Payment (Initial Consultation) |
$50 |
| Second Payment (Implant Placement) |
$7,450 – $13,200 |
| Third Payment (Next Follow-Up Visit) |
$7,500 – $13,250 |
*All prices indicated excludes 7% GST
**Prices quoted do not include other dental treatments such as sinus lifts, bone grafting, extractions, fillings and cleaning
*** Flexible payment plans are available as well
Are All-on-4 Implants Right for Me?
Anyone healthy enough for a routine tooth extraction is a potential candidate for a dental implant.
All-on-4 implants are a good option if you want to replace multiple missing teeth with fewer implants or you have unsightly teeth that can’t be repaired.
People who typically choose All-on-4 implants have had dental problems for a long time, and have:
- Lost all or most of their teeth.
- Need to have multiple teeth extracted.
- Experienced jaw bone loss.
If you have six or more healthy teeth in one arch, individual implants may be a better solution than All-on-4 treatment.
All-on-4 as a replacement for dentures
Some people who opt for the All-on-4 solution are unhappy with their existing dentures slipping out of place while talking or eating.
It can be particularly difficult managing with dentures if you’ve lost one arch of teeth but have most of your teeth intact in the other.
The bite pressure from natural teeth can damage the denture, and eating with a combination of traditional dentures and natural teeth can be uncomfortable.
Where Can I Get All-on-4 Dental Implants in Singapore?
If you’re thinking about getting All-on-4 implants, you’re going to want an experienced dental surgeon to perform the procedure – they have a higher success rate with dental implants than inexperienced dentists.
Dentists with oral surgery expertise at NoFrills Dental in Singapore offer All-on-4 treatment at two conveniently located clinics at Suntec City and Marina Square.
Get in touch with us if you want to know more about All-on-4 implants and whether this groundbreaking tooth replacement system is right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
About All-On-4 Dental Implants
How do I maintain my All-On-4 Dental Implants?
Certain measures can help to make sure your All-On-4 implants last a lifetime.
For instance, you need to preventharmful bacteria and plaque from infecting areas around the implants and causingthem to fail. This condition is called peri-implantitis.
Your dental hygienist can use specialised tools to keep your mouth healthy without damaging your implants, and you can help, too, by maintaining a good standard of oral hygiene:
- Brushing at least twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Using a low-abrasive toothpaste.
- Flossing daily to clean places your brush can’t reach.
How long do All-On-4 Dental Implants last?
Although All-on-4 implants can last a lifetime with good oral health, the bridge is likely to wear down more quickly.
Dental restorations like full-arch fixed implant bridges are made from durable materials but are still susceptible to wear and tear from chewing and biting.
With proper care and good oral hygiene, the bridge attached to your All-on-4 implants should last at least 10 to 15 years. Replacing the bridge can be done without disrupting the implants.
Schedule an appointment
We’ll get back to you within 24 hours.
Our Dental Clinics
We are conveniently located at these locations:
NoFrills Dental @ Suntec City
3 Temasek Boulevard
Suntec City (North Wing)
#03-317
Singapore 038983
NoFrills Dental @ Marina Square
6 Raffles Boulevard,
Marina Square,
#B1-11
Singapore 039594