Dental implants in Folsom are not just for replacing one tooth. When most or all teeth in an upper or lower jaw are failing — or already gone — the All-on-4 technique rebuilds the entire arch on as few as four strategically placed implants, often with temporary teeth attached the same day as surgery. Here is how it works, who it suits, and what to ask before you commit.
What All-on-4 Is
The name describes the concept: a full arch of replacement teeth supported by four (or more) dental implants. Two implants go in vertically at the front of the jaw, where bone is naturally denser. Two go in at the back, tilted at an angle — a placement trick that uses available bone efficiently and usually avoids the need for bone grafting or sinus lifts.
The result is a fixed, non-removable set of teeth. Unlike dentures, nothing comes out at night, nothing slips when you eat, and the implants stimulate the jawbone the way natural tooth roots did — helping preserve bone and facial structure over time.
“All-on-4” is a technique concept, not a brand. Some cases use six implants (“All-on-6”) when bone and bite forces call for extra support; your prosthodontist decides the number from your 3D scan, not from a package deal.
Who All-on-4 Is For
- Denture wearers who want fixed teeth — especially those whose dentures slip, click, or make eating an ordeal.
- Patients with many failing teeth — advanced gum disease, widespread decay, or teeth broken beyond repair, where saving individual teeth would mean years of patchwork dentistry.
- People facing full extractions — who would rather move directly to a permanent solution than spend years in dentures first.
- Patients told they lack bone for individual implants — the angled back implants often make grafting unnecessary.
It is generally not the answer for someone missing a single tooth (a single implant is simpler), or for patients whose medical condition makes surgery unsafe. A thorough health review is part of every evaluation.
The Process, Step by Step
1. Consultation and 3D planning. A cone-beam CT (CBCT) scan maps bone volume, density, nerve position, and sinus anatomy in three dimensions. The doctor plans each implant’s exact position, angle, and depth on a computer before surgery day. At our Roseville office this imaging is done in-house — learn more about our implant approach.
2. Surgery day. Under local anesthesia (sedation available), any remaining failing teeth are removed and the implants are placed — usually four per arch. Most patients are surprised how manageable the appointment is; the surgical portion for one arch typically takes a couple of hours.
3. Temporary teeth — often the same day. A provisional full-arch bridge is attached to the implants, so you leave with fixed teeth. These temporaries look natural and let you eat soft foods while healing.
4. Healing. Over the next three to six months, bone fuses to the implants (osseointegration). You will have check-ins during this period, and the temporaries may be adjusted as gums settle.
5. Final teeth. Once integration is confirmed, your definitive bridge is crafted — stronger materials, refined aesthetics, and a bite designed around how your jaws actually function. This final design step is a prosthodontist’s specialty: the physics, the appearance, and the long-term maintenance all have to work together.
All-on-4 vs Traditional Dentures: An Honest Comparison
Stability: All-on-4 teeth are fixed — they do not move. Traditional dentures are removable and can slip, especially lowers.
Chewing power: All-on-4 restores biting force close to natural teeth. Dentures restore only a fraction of natural force — many wearers quietly give up foods they love.
Bone health: Implants stimulate the jawbone the way natural roots did, slowing the shrinkage that makes dentures loosen over the years. Nothing about a conventional denture stops bone loss.
Daily routine: All-on-4 stays in — brush and water-floss daily. Dentures come out nightly for soaking and need periodic relines as the bone changes shape.
Lifespan: Implants can last decades with care. Dentures typically need replacing every 5–8 years.
Upfront investment: Dentures cost less initially; All-on-4 costs more but avoids the remake cycle.
Dentures remain a reasonable choice for patients who cannot have surgery or need the lowest upfront cost. But for daily quality of life — eating, speaking, laughing without thinking about your teeth — fixed implant teeth are in a different category.
Are You a Candidate?
Most adults in generally good health qualify. The essentials: enough bone in the key zones (the angled-implant design stretches what “enough” means), healthy gums at the time of surgery, and controlled medical conditions. Uncontrolled diabetes, heavy smoking, and certain bone medications can compromise healing — these do not always disqualify you, but they must be managed honestly.
The only way to know is a 3D evaluation. Bone that looks hopeless on a flat X-ray is often workable in three dimensions, and the reverse is occasionally true. Do not accept — or reject — All-on-4 based on a two-dimensional image.
Taking Care of Your New Teeth
Implant teeth do not get cavities, but the gums and bone around them still need care. Peri-implant inflammation is the main long-term risk, and it is preventable:
- Brush twice daily and clean under the bridge with interdental brushes or a water flosser — your hygienist will show you the technique
- Keep regular checkups and professional cleanings with implant-safe instruments
- Wear a night guard if you grind — grinding is a leading cause of implant and bridge complications
- Do not smoke — it remains one of the strongest risk factors for implant problems
What Affects the Cost?
No honest article quotes a fee without an exam, because the variables are real: number of implants (four vs six), extractions needed, sedation choice, the materials and lab work behind the final bridge, and case complexity. Be wary of bargain advertised prices — they frequently exclude the final teeth, imaging, extractions, or sedation, which are essential parts of treatment.
Think in terms of cost per year of use: a fixed implant arch that serves for decades often compares favorably with dentures that need adhesives, relines, and replacement every several years. Ask for an itemized plan, not a headline number, and ask what is not included.
The Bottom Line
All-on-4 compresses what used to be years of dentistry — extractions, grafting, healing, dentures, then implants — into a single planned treatment with teeth from day one. Its success rests on the same three pillars as all implant dentistry: 3D planning, surgical and restorative experience, and honest candidacy screening.
If you are in the Folsom area and wondering whether a full arch of fixed teeth is possible for you, start with a 3D-planned consultation at Expert Dental Group in Roseville — 5070 Foothills Blvd, Suite 2, Roseville, CA 95747. Call (916) 888-1646, Monday–Friday 9–6, Saturday 9–1. For a Sacramento-angle deep dive on the same technique, see our All-on-4 guide for Sacramento patients.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many implants do I really need for a full arch?
Usually four per arch — hence “All-on-4.” Some cases use six for extra support when bone or bite forces demand it. The number comes from your 3D scan, not from a one-size package.
Do I really get teeth the same day?
In most cases, yes — a provisional fixed bridge is attached the same day as surgery. The final, definitive teeth come months later after the implants have fully fused with the bone.
Is All-on-4 painful?
Surgery is done under local anesthesia with sedation available. Most patients manage post-operative soreness with over-the-counter pain relief for a few days and are surprised how routine it feels.
How long does All-on-4 last?
The implants themselves can last decades with proper care; the bridge may eventually need refurbishment after many years of chewing. Regular maintenance visits are what protect the investment.
Can All-on-4 be done if I’ve worn dentures for years?
Often, yes. Long-term denture wear shrinks bone, but the angled-implant design frequently works around it. A 3D scan shows exactly what is possible — many long-time denture wearers are candidates.
What is the difference between All-on-4 and All-on-6?
Both are full-arch implant techniques; All-on-6 simply uses six implants instead of four for additional support. The choice depends on your bone, bite forces, and the prosthodontist’s plan — more is not automatically better.