Am I a Candidate for All-on-4 Implants?
If you are missing most or all of your teeth on the top, the bottom, or both, there is a good chance you are a candidate for All-on-4. That is the honest starting point. All-on-4 was designed for exactly the situation that rules people out of regular implants: failing teeth, loose dentures, and bone loss. Our All-on-4 implant patients in Tulsa often come in assuming they will be told no, and most of the time the answer is yes.
The only way to know for sure is an exam and a 3D scan. But here is what we are looking for, and what tends to make someone a strong candidate.
You are probably a good candidate if...
You are missing most or all of your teeth on an arch. All-on-4 replaces a full row of teeth on four implants. If you are down to a few failing teeth, or you have none left, this is the situation it was built for.
Your dentures don't fit or don't stay put. If you are tired of adhesive, sore spots, and a denture that shifts when you eat or talk, fixed implant teeth solve that. They do not come out.
You have some bone loss. This is the big one. Standard implants often need a lot of healthy jawbone, and bone shrinks after teeth are gone. All-on-4 is angled to use the bone you still have, which is why many people who were told they need bone grafts for regular implants can still get All-on-4.
You are generally healthy. Most common conditions are not a dealbreaker. We just want them managed and we want to know about them.
What we look at more closely
A few things need a closer look, though they rarely rule you out on their own:
Smoking slows healing and raises the risk of implant problems. It does not automatically disqualify you, but we will talk honestly about it.
Uncontrolled diabetes or gum disease can affect healing. Getting these under control first improves your odds.
Severe bone loss in rare cases needs a different implant approach. Our 3D scan tells us exactly how much bone you have to work with.
Nighttime grinding can stress any dental work, so we plan for it with a guard if needed.
None of these are reasons to assume you are out. They are reasons to get a real evaluation instead of guessing. Our post on how to tell if All-on-4 suits your needs walks through this in more detail.
What happens at the evaluation
Here is what makes the consultation worth your time. We take a 3D scan that shows your bone, your nerves, and the structure under the gums, things you cannot see in a regular x-ray. From that, we can tell you on the same visit whether All-on-4 is a fit, what the plan would look like, and what it would cost. Because we place and restore implants in house, the person who reads the scan is the same person who does the work. Nothing gets handed off, and your plan does not get lost between offices. You can see how implant care fits together on our dental implants page.
Find out where you stand
You do not have to wonder. If you are missing teeth or fighting with dentures, come in, let us scan, and we will give you a straight answer about whether All-on-4 is right for you.
Call or text us at (918) 834-2330 to request your evaluation, or reach out on our contact page.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get All-on-4 if I have bone loss? Often yes. All-on-4 is specifically designed to use the bone you still have by angling the back implants. Many patients who were told they need bone grafts for traditional implants still qualify for All-on-4.
Is there an age limit? No. What matters is your health and your jaw, not your age. Many of our patients are in their 60s, 70s, and beyond.
What if I still have some teeth? If those teeth are failing, they are usually removed as part of the treatment and replaced along with the rest. We assess this at your exam.
Will smoking stop me from getting implants? Not automatically, but it does raise the risk of problems and slows healing. We will be upfront with you about how it affects your case.
How do I know for sure if I qualify? A consultation with a 3D scan gives you a definite answer. We can usually tell you the same day whether All-on-4 is a fit and what your plan would look like.