What Happens on All-on-4 Surgery Day? A Step-by-Step Walkthrough

If you’ve already decided All-on-4® full-mouth dental implants are right for you, the surgery itself is probably what’s on your mind. Here’s what the day actually looks like from arrival to walking out with a functional new smile.

Before You Arrive

By the time surgery day comes, your treatment plan has already been mapped out using 3D imaging that shows exactly where each implant will go relative to your bone structure. You’ll typically be asked to avoid eating or drinking for a set window beforehand if sedation is part of your plan.

Getting Comfortable

For patients who feel anxious about dental procedures, sedation dentistry options are available so the day feels far less intimidating than it might sound. Your provider will go over your sedation plan and answer any last questions before beginning.

Placing the Implants

As few as four implants are placed into strategic positions in your jawbone, chosen specifically because they take advantage of the denser bone that’s typically available in those locations, even in patients with some bone loss elsewhere. This is part of what makes All-on-4 workable for patients who might not qualify for other full-arch approaches.

Attaching Your Temporary Teeth

This is the part that gives All-on-4 its “Teeth in One Day” reputation. Once the implants are placed, a temporary set of teeth is attached the same day, so you leave your appointment with a functional, natural-looking arch rather than a gap while you heal.

What You’ll Feel Immediately After

Some grogginess from sedation and mild numbness are normal right after surgery. Swelling and tenderness typically build over the first day or two rather than peaking immediately, which is why most patients plan to take it easy for a few days following the procedure.

The First Few Days at Home

Soft foods, gentle oral hygiene around the surgical sites, and avoiding strenuous activity are the main things to focus on early on. Implant maintenance covers the daily habits that support healing once you’re past the first few days.

What Happens Over the Following Months

While your temporary teeth let you eat and speak normally right away, the implants themselves need time, usually a few months, to fully fuse with your jawbone through osseointegration. Once that’s confirmed, your final, permanent restoration is placed.

Who Performs This Procedure

Dr. Kenneth Soffer brings Branemark Institute training and Smartfit certification to All-on-4 placement, planning each case around your specific bone structure rather than a one-size approach.

Ready to Find Out If Surgery Day Could Be Yours?

Schedule a consultation at Signature Dental in Clementon, NJ to see whether All-on-4 is the right path for your smile.