Implantes dentales All-on-4: Ventajas e inconvenientes

Implantes dentales All-on-4 are a game-changer for those with missing teeth or ill-fitting dentures.

If you’re considering this treatment but overwhelmed by all the info out there, you’re not alone—let’s get to the point:

Pros and Cons of All-on-4 Dental Implants?

All-on-4 dental implants are a permanent solution for full-arch tooth replacement with just 4 implants. Pros: comfort, function, aesthetics, 94-98% success rate over 10 years. Cons: higher upfront costs (€12,000-€20,000 per arch), surgical risks, learning curve for speaking. Ultimately it depends on your oral health and budget.

All-on-4 Dental Implants Benefits

Fast Treatment and Recovery

All-on-4 dental implants is a much faster treatment than traditional methods.

Patients can have their new teeth in 24 hours after the procedure (1).

This is possible because the technique requires only 4 implants per arch.

The treatment takes 2-3 hours per arch (2).

Post-op discomfort is minimal and short term, most patients back to normal activities in a few days.

Plano 3D de todos sobre 4 implantes dentales

Comfort and Function

All-on-4 implants provides a solid base for the prosthetic teeth.

Patients can eat a wide range of foods, even those they couldn’t with dentures (3).

The fixed prosthesis eliminates denture problems like slipping or clicking.

Speech is often clearer than with removable dentures as the prosthesis doesn’t move when talking.

Many patients experience better taste sensation as the upper arch prosthesis is palate free.

10 Year Success Rate

Clinical studies show great long term success with All-on-4 implants.

A 10 year follow-up study showed 94.8% implant survival and 99.2% prosthesis survival (4).

This high success rate is due to the strategic placement of the implants and the immediate loading protocol.

The angled placement of the posterior implants helps to maximize the available bone and reduce the need for bone grafting.

Proper maintenance and regular check-ups is key to the longevity of All-on-4 implants.

Smiling with new All on 4 dental implants

Natural Look and Confidence

All-on-4 prostheses are custom made to match the patient’s facial features and desired aesthetic result.

The fixed prosthesis looks more natural than removable dentures.

Patients often feel more self assured and social confident after treatment (5).

The prosthesis supports the facial structures, potentially reducing the appearance of aging caused by tooth loss.

Modern materials and techniques allows for very natural looking teeth and gums.

Beneficio	Descripción	Data Point
Quick Treatment and Recovery	Patients can receive new teeth within 24 hours of the procedure	2-3 hours per arch
Enhanced Comfort and Functionality	Improved ability to eat a wide variety of foods	Stable and secure foundation
Long-term Success Rate	High survival rate for implants and prostheses	94.8% implant survival rate over 10 years
Natural Appearance	Custom-designed to match facial features	Supports facial structures

Cons and Risks

Coste

All-on-4 dental implants is a big investment.

The average cost for a full mouth restoration with All-on-4 dental implants is between €25,000 to €50,000 (3).

This is more than traditional dentures or individual implants.

But consider the long term value and reduced maintenance costs.

Many dental practices offer financing options to help with the cost.

Opción de tratamiento	Initial Cost (per arch)	Annual Maintenance Cost	Estimated 20-Year Cost
Implantes All-on-4	€12,000 – €25,000	€200 – €500	€16,000 – €35,000
Dentadura postiza tradicional	€1,000 – €3,000	€300 – €500	€7,000 – €13,000
Individual Implants (full arch)	€20,000 – €45,000	€300 – €700	€26,000 – €59,000

Stability Issues

All-on-4 implants is generally very stable but:

The angled placement of the posterior implants can put more stress on the bone (4).

In rare cases this can lead to implant failure or bone loss over time.

Patients with severe bone loss may need additional procedures for optimal stability.

Regular check-ups is key to monitor the implant stability and address any issues early.

Maintenance Problems

All-on-4 implants requires special care and maintenance:

Daily cleaning is more complicated than with natural teeth (5).

Special tools like interdental brushes or water flossers are needed.

Professional cleaning appointments may be more frequent and deeper.

Patients must be committed to good oral hygiene to avoid complications.

Complicaciones

As with any surgery All-on-4 implants has some risks:

Infection at the implant site occurs in about 5-10% of cases (6).

Nerve damage although rare can cause numbness or altered sensation.

Sinus problems if the upper implants protrude into the sinus cavity.

Some patients may have difficulty to adapt to the new prosthesis and affect speech or eating habits initially.

Long term

Durability and Lifespan

All-on-4 implants is long lasting when maintained properly.

A 10 year follow-up study showed 94.8% implant survival and 99.2% prosthesis survival (4).

The angled placement of the posterior implants helps to maximize the available bone and reduce the stress on the implants over time.

Proper oral hygiene and regular check-ups is key to the long term success of All-on-4 implants.

Patients should be aware that while durable the implants may need occasional adjustments or repairs over their lifetime.

Mantenimiento

Daily cleaning for All-on-4 implants is more complicated than for natural teeth.

Special tools like interdental brushes or water flossers is often needed for effective cleaning (5).

Professional cleaning appointments may be more frequent, every 3-6 months.

Patients must be committed to good oral hygiene to avoid complications like peri-implantitis.

Regular check-ups allows to detect and treat any potential issues early.

Cost Benefit

While the initial cost is higher All-on-4 implants can be more cost effective in the long run than traditional dentures.

The need for frequent replacement or adjustments which is common with conventional dentures is reduced with All-on-4 implants.

Improved quality of life and oral function can justify the higher upfront cost for many patients.

Future dental work savings should be considered when calculating the total cost.

Some dental practices offers financing options to help you manage the cost of All-on-4 treatment.

Otras opciones

All-on-6 and All-on-8

All-on-6 and All-on-8 implants is another option to All-on-4 system each with its own advantages.

All-on-6 has six implants per arch, more stability and load distribution, good for patients with higher bone density (3).

This option reduces the risk of individual implant failure due to better force distribution across more implants.

All-on-8 has eight implants, more stability and support, good for patients with significant bone loss or those who wants more durability (6).

Both options can have immediate functionality, patients can leave with full set of teeth the same day as surgery.

These options may have more complex surgery and higher cost but have better long term outcome in terms of stability and aesthetics.

Conventional Implant Solutions

Conventional dental implants is still an option for many patients but it’s different from All-on-X system.

It involves placing individual implants for each missing tooth, which is more invasive and time consuming (5).

This method requires bone grafting if there’s not enough bone density, longer treatment time and recovery period.

Conventional implants is highly customizable, can be placed precisely to individual needs.

While it’s more costly and complex initially, it has excellent long term durability and functionality.

Patients should consider their dental health needs and consult with a dentist to determine the best implant solution.

Implant Solution	Número de implantes	Typical Treatment Time	Suitability for Bone Loss	Average Cost Range (per arch)
Todo a 4	4	3-6 months	Suitable for moderate bone loss	€21,000 – €30,000
Todo a 6	6	4-8 months	Better for significant bone loss	€25,000 – €35,000
Todos contra 8	8	4-8 months	Ideal for severe bone loss	€30,000 – €50,000
Traditional Implants	6-8 per arch	6-12 meses	May require bone grafting	€20,000 – €45,000

Conclusiones

Principales conclusiones:

94.8% success rate for patients and 98.1% for implants for 5 years (5).
Immediate functionality, patients can leave with new teeth the same day as surgery (6).
Preserves jawbone structure and prevent bone loss (6).
More cost effective in the long run than traditional dentures (8).
Requires good maintenance and regular dental check-ups to last long (3).

Conclusión:

All-on-4 implants is a good option for many but not for everyone. Bone density, overall health and budget should be considered. Consult a dentist to determine if All-on-4 is right for you.

PREGUNTAS FRECUENTES

¿Cuál es el país más barato de la UE para este procedimiento?

El país más barato de la UE para implantes dentales es Albania, que ofrece procedimientos de alta calidad a costes 70% significativamente inferiores a los de otros países europeos.

¿Cuánto cuesta el tratamiento mencionado en este artículo?

The average cost of All-on-4 dental implants ranges from €21,000 to €50,000+ for a full set (upper and lower arch). Per arch, the cost typically falls between €12,000 and €25,000

What is the expected lifespan of All-on-4 dental implants?

With proper care and maintenance, All-on-4 dental implants can last 20+ years or even a lifetime. This is significantly longer than traditional dentures, which typically need replacement every 5-7 years

Is there an adjustment period after getting All-on-4 implants?

Unlike traditional dentures, All-on-4 implants typically have a minimal adjustment period. Most patients adapt quickly to their new teeth, experiencing improved comfort and functionality almost immediately

Referencias

Babbush CA, Kutsko GT, Brokloff J. The All-on-Four immediate function treatment concept with NobelActive implants: a retrospective study. J Oral Implantol. 2011;37(4):431-445.
Artículo: The All-on-Four immediate function treatment concept with NobelActive implants: a retrospective study
Maló P, de Araújo Nobre M, Lopes A, Ferro A, Gravito I. All-on-4® Treatment Concept for the Rehabilitation of the Completely Edentulous Mandible: A 7-Year Clinical and 5-Year Radiographic Retrospective Case Series with Risk Assessment for Implant Failure and Marginal Bone Level. Clin Implant Dent Relat Res. 2015;17(S2):e531-e541.
Artículo: All‐on‐4® Treatment Concept for the Rehabilitation of the Completely Edentulous Mandible: A 7‐Year Clinical and 5‐Year Radiographic Retrospective Case Series with Risk Assessment for Implant Failure and Marginal Bone Level
Soto-Peñaloza D, Zaragozí-Alonso R, Peñarrocha-Diago M, Peñarrocha-Diago M. The all-on-four treatment concept: Systematic review. J Clin Exp Dent. 2017;9(3):e474-e488.
Artículo: El concepto de tratamiento all-on-four: Revisión sistemática
Patzelt SB, Bahat O, Reynolds MA, Strub JR. The All-on-Four Treatment Concept: A Systematic Review. Clin Implant Dent Relat Res. 2014;16(6):836-855.
Artículo: The All-on-Four Treatment Concept: A Systematic Review
Lopes A, Maló P, de Araújo Nobre M, Sánchez-Fernández E, Gravito I. The NobelGuide® All-on-4® Treatment Concept for Rehabilitation of Edentulous Jaws: A Retrospective Report on the 7-Years Clinical and 5-Years Radiographic Outcomes. Clin Implant Dent Relat Res. 2017;19(2):233-244.
Artículo: The NobelGuide® All‐on‐4® Treatment Concept for Rehabilitation of Edentulous Jaws: A Retrospective Report on the 7‐Years Clinical and 5‐Years Radiographic Outcomes
Taruna M, Chittaranjan B, Sudheer N, Tella S, Abusaad M. Prosthodontic Perspective to All-On-4® Concept for Dental Implants. J Clin Diagn Res. 2014;8(10):ZE16-ZE19.
Artículo: Prosthodontic Perspective to All-On-4® Concept for Dental Implants