All-on-4 is an implant denture system that uses 4 implants to support an entire denture. This system promises same-day teeth, a simple process, and affordable care. But how many of those perks can it actually deliver? For some patients, the All-on-4 implant denture isn’t an option, while for others, the system has serious disadvantages they may not know about. If you’ve been looking into All-on-4 implants, we urge you to consider alternatives like Fix-on-Six first! This implant denture system may use more implants, but many patients find it more accessible, reliable, and affordable than other implant dentures.
Potential Drawbacks of All-on-4 Implants
The All-on-4 prótesis sobre implantes has been used for years now and is a reliable way to restore a smile. But it’s not the best choice for everyone. The All-on-4 implant denture system has potential drawbacks that make patients hesitate to move forward with treatment.
Implant Failure
All-on-4 implant dentures rely on 4 conventional implantes dentales. Two are placed towards the front of your smile, while the other two are placed in the back near your molars. We place the back implants at a 45-degree angle to avoid important anatomical structures like your sinuses or nerves.

However, the design puts a lot of stress on only 4 implants. Typically, the pressure of your bite is spread evenly across your smile, with molars taking slightly more force as you chew. But with All-on-4 implants, your entire bite force comes down on only 4 implants, with the back two taking the brunt of the pressure.
In general, dental implants can handle a lot of force. But in some cases, that pressure can affect your implants’ ability to integrate with your jaw. If even one implant fails, we may need to start the entire process over, since you can’t rely on just 3 dental implants.
Loosening Screws
Conventional dental implants are also multi-piece implants, with separate components that we place. Each component fits tightly onto the other to provide a secure foundation.
But a multi-piece design comes with a few disadvantages. For one, not everyone is eligible for the same-day support that All-on-4 promises. Because we need to place the abutment and implant body at the same time, only patients with strong enough jawbone are eligible for a true All-on-4 experience.
And with so many parts, it’s not uncommon for screws to loosen over time. Once your implant becomes loose, everyday functions like eating or speaking with your denture become a struggle.
Peri-implantitis Risk
Titanium implants with multiple components also increase the risk of infections like peri-implantitis.
These screws have several pieces, leaving small microgaps between them where bacteria can gather. With proper maintenance, these gaps shouldn’t be a huge problem. But for patients who struggle to care for their teeth, these gaps become bacterial breeding grounds for infection.
Peri-implantitis involves the loss of gum and bone tissue surrounding your implant. Eventually, it may cause your implant to loosen or even fail, as bacteria destroy the foundation underneath it. While peri-implantitis isn’t always an issue, it’s more common among implants with multiple components.
Fix-on-Six: The Better Way To Restore Your Smile
All-on-4 implants are conventional-sized implants that we anchor in your jaw. Unfortunately, many patients aren’t eligible because they don’t have enough jawbone structure to support them.
For patients who want to avoid the risks and disadvantages of All-on-4 implant dentures, we recommend miniimplante dental-supported dentures instead.
Mini implants are small titanium screws that we embed in your jawbone. Just like conventional implants, these posts are made of durable titanium that integrates naturally with your bone. But unlike conventional implants, these small-diameter screws are less than 3 mm in diameter and have a unique one-piece design.
For patients who aren’t eligible for conventional dental implants due to jawbone loss, mini implants are a great alternative. To support a denture with these implants, we often use the Fix-on-Six method. Fix-on-Six actually surpasses All-on-4 in many ways, including:
- Lower pressure on your bite: As the name suggests, Fix-on-Six uses 6 mini dental implants. These titanium screws are small and spread across your jaw to distribute bite pressure evenly. This not only protects your implants from stress, but also creates a more comfortable, natural feel in your mouth.
- Menor riesgo de infección: Mini implants have a one-piece design, which eliminates the small gaps between parts. While peri-implantitis is still possible, it’s much less common with one-piece implants thanks to their sleek design.
- Menor coste: Conventional implants are relatively expensive, especially due to their multi-piece structure. In general, patients pay for multiple components and may need multiple appointments if they require additional procedures to rebuild lost bone. Mini dental implants are less expensive, as they only have one piece and generally don’t require as much bone structure. For most patients, a Fix-on-Six denture with mini implants is less expensive than All-on-4.
Looking for All-on-4 Implants? Try Fix-on-Six in Wayne, NJ!
The All-on-4 implant denture system uses 4 conventional dental implants to support your denture. But this design isn’t right for every patient, and it does come with some important drawbacks. For a restoration that is more accessible, more protected from infection, and more affordable, book a free consultation with us! We offer Fix-on-Six dental implants to secure your denture to your jawbone.
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