DentalAll-on-4
All-on-4 replaces a full arch of teeth with a fixed bridge on just four implants, often without bone grafting and frequently with same-day temporary teeth. Here is how it works and what it costs.
Last reviewed: 20 July 2026
What All-on-4 is
All-on-4 is a full-arch treatment for people who have lost, or are about to lose, all the teeth in an upper or lower jaw. Four implants are placed to support a single fixed bridge of 10β14 teeth. The two back implants are tilted at an angle, which lets them anchor into denser bone and avoid the sinus (upper jaw) or nerve (lower jaw), frequently removing the need for grafting. Because the design is engineered for immediate stability, many patients leave with a fixed temporary bridge on the same day β hence the "teeth in a day" marketing you often see.
It is a fixed solution: the bridge is screwed onto the implants and is not removed by the patient, unlike a denture. It replaces a full arch with fewer implants (and usually lower cost) than placing six or eight.
Who it suits β and who it may not
Often suitable for people who: have lost most or all teeth in an arch, wear or are facing a full denture, and have enough bone at the front of the jaw to hold four implants. May not suit, or needs more planning, if you: have very severe bone loss (where zygomatic implants or grafting may be considered), heavy uncontrolled clenching, poorly controlled diabetes, or heavy smoking. A CBCT scan determines whether four implants can achieve the stability the technique relies on.
Step by step
- 1. Assessment and CBCT 3D planning of implant positions and angles, and the design of the new teeth.
- 2. Extractions Any remaining unrestorable teeth are removed, often the same day.
- 3. Implant placement Four implants are placed, the back two angled; multi-unit abutments are fitted to correct the angulation.
- 4. Immediate temporary bridge A fixed, lighter temporary bridge is attached, usually the same day, on which you avoid hard foods while healing.
- 5. Healing Osseointegration over about 3β6 months.
- 6. Final bridge A definitive, stronger bridge (acrylic-titanium, or monolithic zirconia) is fitted after healing.
Materials and systems
The four implants are titanium; angulation is managed with multi-unit abutments. Temporary bridges are usually reinforced acrylic; final bridges are commonly acrylic teeth on a titanium bar, or a single milled zirconia bridge for maximum strength and aesthetics. All-on-4 was popularised with Nobel Biocare protocols, but the concept is offered on many systems including Straumann, Osstem and MegaGen. Ask which system and which final-bridge material are quoted.
Healing, risks and timeline
The immediate temporary means you are not without teeth, but the first months require a soft diet to protect the healing implants. Risks include implant failure (losing one implant can jeopardise a four-implant bridge, so stability at placement is critical), infection, nerve or sinus involvement, bite and speech adjustment, and long-term maintenance of the bridge and gum health. Treated abroad, the usual pattern is one longer trip for surgery and the temporary, then a second trip for the final bridge β though some clinics compress this.
Typical approach in Turkey and indicative price
Full-arch work is one of the most common reasons patients travel to Turkey, and many clinics offer All-on-4 as a package including surgery, temporary and final bridge, sometimes with hotel and transfers. Because "All-on-4" can mean very different final materials, compare quotes on a like-for-like basis β especially temporary vs final bridge and acrylic vs zirconia.
Indicative bands only (GBP; rates fluctuate). Verify with the clinic what the quote includes β final bridge material is the biggest price driver. See the implant cost guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between All-on-4 and All-on-6?
The number of implants supporting the arch β four versus six. All-on-6 spreads load over more implants and can suit denser bone or heavier bites, while All-on-4 uses fewer implants and is often more economical. Your bone volume and quality guide the choice; see our All-on-6 page for detail.
Do I really get teeth in one day with All-on-4?
In many cases a fixed temporary bridge is fitted the same day as surgery, so you are not left without teeth. The stronger final bridge, however, is usually fitted after several months of healing. The same-day teeth are temporary and require a soft diet.
Does All-on-4 avoid bone grafting?
Often, yes β angling the back implants lets them use available bone and bypass the sinus or nerve, which is a key reason the technique exists. But not always; severe bone loss may still need grafting or an alternative such as zygomatic implants. A CBCT scan decides.
How long does an All-on-4 bridge last?
The implants can last many years with good care, while the bridge on top may need repair or replacement over time, particularly acrylic ones. Zirconia bridges are more wear-resistant. Hygiene, not smoking, and regular reviews are the main factors in longevity.
Can I eat normally with All-on-4?
After full healing and the final bridge, most people chew a wide range of foods far more comfortably than with a denture. During the initial healing months on the temporary bridge you must stick to softer foods to protect the implants.
How many trips to Turkey does All-on-4 need?
Typically two: a first trip for extractions, implants and the same-day temporary bridge, and a second a few months later for the final bridge. Some clinics offer variations. Confirm the exact schedule, what each trip covers, and follow-up arrangements in writing.
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