All-on-4 Dental Implants for Finchley Central Patients

All-on-4 is an excellent option if you're facing complete tooth loss in your upper or lower jaw. It's designed for people who currently wear dentures and want a stable, non-removable alternative that doesn't cover the palate. You're also a good candidate if you have many failing teeth due to decay or gum disease and want to avoid replacing them one by one. A recent patient from Finchley Central was tired of his loose lower denture affecting his meals out with family. The All-on-4 procedure gave him a completely fixed set of teeth, allowing him to eat his favourite foods again without worry. This treatment is also ideal if you've been told you lack sufficient bone for traditional implants, as the technique uses the dense bone at the front of the jaw.

Your treatment process is carefully planned for efficiency and comfort. First, you'll have a 60-minute consultation including a 3D CBCT scan. This allows us to assess your bone structure and plan the exact placement of the four implants. The main procedure happens in a single visit, typically taking 4-6 hours. Any remaining failing teeth are removed, and the four titanium implants are placed under local anaesthetic. Next, a temporary but fixed bridge, crafted beforehand, is attached to the implants. This means you leave our Finchley practice with a full set of non-removable teeth on the very same day. Then, you'll have a healing period of 3-6 months for the implants to fuse with your jawbone. Finally, you'll return for a 45-minute appointment to have your final, permanent bridge fitted.

Following your surgery, it's normal to experience some swelling and mild discomfort for the first 3-5 days, which is manageable with over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen. We recommend a soft food diet for the first two weeks (soups, smoothies, scrambled eggs) to avoid putting pressure on the healing implants. You'll need to use a special mouthwash and be gentle when cleaning around the area. Long-term care involves using water flossers or interdental brushes to clean beneath the bridge. Regular hygiene appointments are essential to maintain the health of your gums and implants, ensuring a success rate that research shows is over 95% at the 10-year mark. If you experience increasing pain after day 4, a fever, or persistent bleeding, call our practice during office hours (Mon/Wed/Fri 9-5, Tue/Thu 11-7). For out-of-hours emergencies, please visit A&E or call 111.

While All-on-4 is a leading solution, there are alternatives. Traditional full-arch implants use 6-8 implants instead of four. This approach is very stable but often requires bone grafting, adding months and significant cost to the treatment. Removable dentures are the most budget-friendly option initially, but they don't prevent jawbone loss and can become loose over time, affecting speech and eating. A key advantage of the All-on-4 technique is that the two rear implants are placed at an angle, often avoiding the need for bone grafting—a benefit for a patient from Barnet who wanted to minimise surgical procedures. During your consultation, we'll explain the pros and cons of each option as they relate to your specific clinical needs and goals.

All-on-4 treatment is a significant investment in your long-term health and quality of life. The final cost depends on the complexity of your case and the material chosen for your final bridge (e.g., acrylic vs. zirconia). A full, personalised quote is provided after your initial consultation and 3D scan, with no hidden fees. The fee includes the surgery, all appointments, the temporary same-day bridge, and the final permanent bridge. As a private practice, we do not offer this treatment on the NHS. However, we do accept several private insurance plans, including Max Bupa, Denplan, and Cigna. We can discuss payment plans and financing options to help make this life-changing treatment accessible.

To make an informed choice for your care, whether with us or another practice in North London, you should ask these questions during your consultation. What brand of implants do you use and what is their long-term track record? What material will my final bridge be made of, and what are the pros and cons? Who will be performing the surgery and what is their specific experience with the All-on-4 technique? Does the quoted price include both the temporary and final bridge? What happens if an implant fails to integrate? And finally, can you show me before-and-after photos of similar cases you have treated?