This article, part 1 of 4, provides an overview of the All on 4 protocol, including how it works

and what it’s capable of. In 1993, after years of clinical trials, tireless research and engineering, European implantologist, Dr. Paulo Malo, pioneered a revolutionary dental implant protocol known as the ‘All on 4’. In collaboration with one of the world’s largest manufacturers of dental implant products, Nobel Biocare, Dr. Malo innovated a surgical protocol for the placement of dental implants that was capable of giving edentulous (not having a single original adult tooth left) and near-edentulous patients a brand new set of immediately functional and non-removable teeth in as little as a single day, with a single surgery. The conception of All on 4 dental implants became a massive leap forward in the field of fixed oral rehabilitation as previous techniques often required multiple surgeries and up to a year or longer before patients could eat, speak and smile with confidence. In this four part article series, we shall be taking a sweeping look at the All on 4 dental implant technique, covering topics such as how it works and how it is capable of overcoming one of the greatest obstacles facing traditional placement protocol: the lack of available bone and thus the need for bone grafting. We shall also be taking a look at the benefits and advantages of the All on 4 over traditional placement techniques and technology, specifically, removable dentures. About All on 4 Dental Implants: How the Protocol Works The All on 4 essentially consists of the affixing of a fully customized and non-removable prosthetic dental bridge to – as the name suggests – four dental implants. Patients generally

arrive for the procedure in the morning, whereupon a sedative is administered to ensure that the experience is rendered completely anxiety and stress-free. Once the patient is relaxed and anesthesia has been administered, an experienced and qualified oral surgeon will remove all of the old and failing teeth (if any are left) and then place the four dental implants. Two are located in the anterior (front) portion of the jaw (see above diagram), where the bone is more resistant to atrophy and so exists in a greater volume, regardless of the degree of bone loss elsewhere in the jaw. Another two are inserted at an angle in the posterior (back) portion of the jaw. This angulation not only ensures that the implants reap maximum support from the underlying bone tissue, but also that they avoid damage to vital structures, such as the nerve canal in the lower jaw and sinus cavity in the upper jaw. Once the All on 4 dental implants have been placed, the surgical component of the procedure is finished and the patient is allowed to rest, then the prosthodontist puts the final touches on their customized dental bridge. This is fabricated from molds that have been previously taken of the patient’s mouth. On the afternoon of the All on 4 procedure, the bridge is fitted to the dental implants and when the patient is entirely comfortable and happy with the results, they are allowed to return home to a light supper and a good night’s rest. The All on 4 really is that simple; one surgery, one day and patients can go from being completely edentulous, or having a mouth full of failing teeth, to having a full set of beautiful and non-removable teeth that can be used for eating on the same day! All on 4 Dental Implants: Stay Tuned… Stay tuned for our next article on the revolutionary All on 4 protocol. In the second installment of this four-part series, we shall be taking a look at how the All on 4 almost always bypasses the need for bone grafting surgery, enabling patients to get new and non-removable teeth in a single day. Thanks for reading