--- title: Bridging Implanted Teeth in an All on 4 Procedure description: The All on 4 procedure uses only four implants for a complete set of teeth. Conventional implants require between six and eight anchored implants or more anchor an arch of teeth. image: https://www.drlinger.com/hubfs/all%20on%204-484046-edited.jpeg --- # Bridging Implanted Teeth in an All on 4 Procedure. ![avatar](https://www.drlinger.com/hubfs/DrLinger%20May%202017/Images/Doctor%20photo%202015%20cropped.jpg "avatar") Posted by Dr. William Linger, DDS, MAGD - [**](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://www.drlinger.com/blog/all-on-4-procedure) - [**](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.drlinger.com/blog/all-on-4-procedure&title=&summary=&source=) - [**](https://twitter.com/home?status=) - [**](https://plus.google.com/share?url=https://www.drlinger.com/blog/all-on-4-procedure) - [**](mailto:?&subject=https://www.drlinger.com/blog/all-on-4-procedure&body=https://www.drlinger.com/blog/all-on-4-procedure) ** ![all on 4 procedure](https://www.drlinger.com/hs-fs/hubfs/all%20on%204-484046-edited.jpeg?width=600&name=all%20on%204-484046-edited.jpeg) People whose mouth no longer supports rooted teeth because of extensive gum and bone weakness (said to be ([Edentulous or soon-to-be-edentulous](https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=31865)) can still have a strong set of implanted teeth through new procedures. Where gums are not strong enough to support independent implants, several artificial teeth can be bridged to a single anchor tooth. #### **How is this possible?** The All-on-Four dental technique uses only four implants for a complete set of teeth. Conventional implants require between six and eight anchored implants or more anchor an "arch" of teeth. Where bone is lost, the problem solved by these new procedures is to maximize the contact with remaining bone by placing the teeth on an angle. Conventional tooth implants often require bone grafting to strengthen the anchor points in the mouth. The All-in Four procedure usually requires no bone grafting. #### **How long has the All-on-4 procedure been around? ** Dental implantation is part of the general discipline of [osseointegration](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4439679/), which refers to the science of fixing prosthetic devices directly into bones. The techniques of getting the body, the bone, to accept a titanium metal plug as if it were part of the bone was developed at the laboratory of vital microscopy at the University of Lund and at the laboratory for experimental biology at the University of Gothenburg in the early 1950s. The procedure requires precise surgery to shape the bone around the implant so that after a healing period, a shell of bone would form around the implant. The [first application of the process to dentistry](https://www.allon4.com.au/all-on-4/history/) was performed for a patient in 1965. This was, interestingly, not a single tooth implant, but a full arch of artificial teeth supported by only four implants (an All-on-Four procedure). It took 20 years of experimentation to develop a screw-shaped implant made of pure titanium. The [implant has an outer diameter of only 3.7 mm and a length of only 10 mm.](https://www.drlinger.com/dental-implant-charlotte-nc?hsCtaTracking=d74526e1-1e56-4519-b5ed-d71d92295fb1%7C6be18f7b-d415-404b-bdd2-0c032f12b246) This implant could fit almost any edentulous jaw.  #### **The aim of All-on-Four.** From the beginning, the dental and medical scientists who have been developing and perfecting dental implantation were aiming for complete functional restoration. They were not happy with the safer and easier procedure of single implantation. All-on-Four restores normal dental functioning in an entire arch of teeth. If you receive an All-on-Four implantation procedure for your lower teeth and your upper gums and jaw are in danger, most dentists will recommend that you get both upper and lower dental arches done at once to save time, money, and to keep you dental functioning optimal. #### **What will happen?** The [All-in-Four procedure](https://www.drlinger.com/blog/what-are-dental-implants) is serious dental surgery that involves the use of central nervous system anesthetic. The first appointment with your dentist will be to evaluate the condition of your mouth. You will probably receive a dental CT scan to allow the dentist to view your oral bone structure. The dentist will consider your general health to evaluate your surgery risks.  The dentist and technicians will work with you to make sure the teeth you get will have the shape, color, and size of your original teeth so that they will look absolutely natural. Generally, the procedure of implantation only takes one day. When you leave you will be fitted with a  temporary set of teeth attached to the implants. Since this is dental surgery, you can expect there will be a recovery period during which you may experience some discomfort. You will be given a soft food diet over a period of up to a few weeks to allow your implants to heal. After that, you will be able to return to a normal diet. Six months after the procedure, you will return to the dentist to receive your permanent teeth.  **William Linger, DDS, MAGD **offers a dynamic combination of advanced technologies in one convenient location. Please [contact us](https://www.drlinger.com/contact-us) to learn more. Topics: [Dental Implants](https://www.drlinger.com/blog/topic/dental-implants) [![dental implants guide](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3280013/e90e08c8-376c-4b69-8422-3770df74c074.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3280013/e90e08c8-376c-4b69-8422-3770df74c074) --- ### Recent Posts By Dr. William Linger, DDS, MAGD #### Concierge Dentistry in Charlotte, NC [![read more](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/685080/IMG-TurboSodium/Sodium%20v2/blog/arrow-recent-blog-post.png "read more")](https://www.drlinger.com/blog/why-you-deserve-concierge-dentistry-0) By Dr. William Linger, DDS, MAGD #### Disturbing Trends in Dentistry Vol.1 [![read more](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/685080/IMG-TurboSodium/Sodium%20v2/blog/arrow-recent-blog-post.png "read more")](https://www.drlinger.com/blog/disturbing-trends-in-dentistry-vol.1) By Dr. William Linger, DDS, MAGD #### What Does Wisdom Teeth Growing in Feel Like? [![read more](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/685080/IMG-TurboSodium/Sodium%20v2/blog/arrow-recent-blog-post.png "read more")](https://www.drlinger.com/blog/what-does-wisdom-teeth-growing-in-feel-like) --- #### Welcome to Charlotte's Dental Blog Sign up for updates on our blog to receive them: instantly, weekly or on a monthly basis. Get the latest dental health tips and advice delivered to your email.   ### Subscribe our Newsletter ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - [Dentistry (55)](https://www.drlinger.com/blog/topic/dentistry) - [Cosmetic Dentistry (53)](https://www.drlinger.com/blog/topic/cosmetic-dentistry) - [Dental Implants (28)](https://www.drlinger.com/blog/topic/dental-implants) - [Sedation Dentistry (16)](https://www.drlinger.com/blog/topic/sedation-dentistry) - [Dental Health (15)](https://www.drlinger.com/blog/topic/dental-health) - [Restorative Dentistry (12)](https://www.drlinger.com/blog/topic/restorative-dentistry) - [Teeth Whitening (8)](https://www.drlinger.com/blog/topic/teeth-whitening) - [Gum Disease (6)](https://www.drlinger.com/blog/topic/gum-disease) - [Microscope Dentistry (3)](https://www.drlinger.com/blog/topic/microscope-dentistry) - [Concierge Dentistry (1)](https://www.drlinger.com/blog/topic/concierge-dentistry) - [Periodontal Disease (1)](https://www.drlinger.com/blog/topic/periodontal-disease) [see all](https://www.drlinger.com/blog/all-on-4-procedure#) ### Blog Archive - [Dentistry (55)](https://www.drlinger.com/blog/topic/dentistry) - [Cosmetic Dentistry (53)](https://www.drlinger.com/blog/topic/cosmetic-dentistry) - [Dental Implants (28)](https://www.drlinger.com/blog/topic/dental-implants) - [Sedation Dentistry (16)](https://www.drlinger.com/blog/topic/sedation-dentistry) - [Dental Health (15)](https://www.drlinger.com/blog/topic/dental-health) - [Restorative Dentistry (12)](https://www.drlinger.com/blog/topic/restorative-dentistry) - [Teeth Whitening (8)](https://www.drlinger.com/blog/topic/teeth-whitening) - [Gum Disease (6)](https://www.drlinger.com/blog/topic/gum-disease) - [Microscope Dentistry (3)](https://www.drlinger.com/blog/topic/microscope-dentistry) - [Concierge Dentistry (1)](https://www.drlinger.com/blog/topic/concierge-dentistry) - [Periodontal Disease (1)](https://www.drlinger.com/blog/topic/periodontal-disease) - [**](https://www.facebook.com/drwilliamlinger) - [**](https://twitter.com/drlinger) - [**](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5TW3XC6FRxcDb-vocNFbzw) Blog updates sign up form it’s fast and easy ##### About Us Welcome to William Linger, DDS, MAGD!  We want to be your full-service dental office. Dr. Linger has been a trusted, reliable, and popular top rated Charlotte dentist for the past 20 years. The support team that we have built inside the office includes the best dental assistants, hygienists, patient comfort specialists, and cheerful front office professionals. Financial Assistance Available ##### Office Park Place On Wendover, 435 N. Wendover Road Charlotte, NC 28211 ##### Call us:   704-364-2510 ### Fresh from our blog: © 2021 All Rights Reserved Dr. William Linger, DDS, MAGD - Managed by RiseFuel. | Privacy Policy. [Contact Us](https://www.drlinger.com/contact-us) | [Sitemap](https://www.drlinger.com/sitemap) **