How Long Does All-on-4® Treatment Take From Start to Finish

Initial Consultation and Treatment Planning

The All-on-4® process begins with a thorough consultation. At this appointment, your dentist checks your oral health, looks at your medical history, and talks with you about your treatment goals.

What Happens During This Phase

At this stage, your dentist uses digital X-rays, scans, or 3D imaging to evaluate bone structure and plan implant placement. If any remaining teeth need removal, that step is included in the treatment plan.

In some practices, this phase can be completed in one visit. However, depending on medical history or case complexity, planning may take one to two visits over one to two weeks.

After planning is done, your dentist will schedule your surgery and confirm the details of your treatment.

Tooth Removal and Implant Surgery

For patients with remaining damaged teeth, extractions may take place on the same day as implant placement. Not all patients require tooth removal, especially those who are already missing teeth.

Surgery Timeline

The All-on-4® surgery usually takes two to four hours for each arch, but the exact time depends on your needs. During the procedure, your dentist places four implants in your jawbone.

Two implants go in the front and two in the back at an angle to make the best use of your bone and often avoid bone grafts.

Most of the time, you will get a temporary set of teeth on the same day, so you can leave with a working smile.

Same-Day Temporary Teeth

A big benefit of All-on-4® treatment is getting temporary teeth right after surgery. These teeth help you look and feel better and let you eat and speak while you heal.

What to Expect With Temporary Teeth

With temporary teeth, you can smile and talk as usual, but they are not meant for hard chewing. Your dentist will suggest eating soft foods while you heal. Taking care during this time helps your implants last.

You will usually wear your temporary teeth until your mouth has fully healed.

Healing and Bone Integration Phase

Healing is an important step in the All-on-4® process. During this time, the implants join with your jawbone in a process called osseointegration.

Healing Timeline

Most people heal in three to six months. Swelling is usually worse in the first few days and gets much better within a week or two. Your gums heal first, but the bone takes longer to fully join with the implants.

As you heal, the implants become strong enough for your permanent teeth. During this time, you will have follow-up visits so your dentist can check your healing and help with any concerns.

Placement of Permanent Teeth

Once you have healed, your dentist will replace your temporary teeth with a permanent set.

Final Restoration Process

Your dentist will take careful impressions to make sure your new teeth fit well and look natural. Permanent teeth are stronger, more comfortable, and look better than the temporary ones.

This last step usually takes one or two visits over a few weeks. After this, your All-on-4® treatment is complete.

Total Timeline From Start to Finish

Every patient is different, but a typical All-on-4® timeline looks like this:

• Consultation and planning: 1 to 2 weeks
• Surgery and temporary teeth: 1 day
• Healing and integration: 3 to 6 months
• Final teeth placement: 2 to 4 weeks

For most people, the whole process takes about four to seven months.

Factors That Can Affect Treatment Time

How long your treatment takes can depend on your health, bone quality, whether you smoke, any medications you take, and how well you follow aftercare instructions. If you follow your dentist’s advice, you are more likely to heal smoothly and avoid delays.