How Long Do All-On-4 Dental Implants Last? What to Expect?

Factors affecting the longevity of All-on-4 dental implants:

The long-term success and durability of the All-on-4 implant system depend on many factors. Under ideal conditions and with the right care, it is possible to use All-on-4 implants for more than 20 years or even a lifetime. The factors that determine the lifetime of All-on-4 implants are as follows:

Individual characteristics and lifestyle of the patient:

Oral hygiene habits:

Daily care routine:

Brushing at least twice a day with a soft-bristled brush and the use of special implant floss is essential to prevent the accumulation of bacteria around the implants.

Professional cleaning:

Professional cleanings by a dentist twice a year greatly reduce the risk of peri-implantitis (inflammation around the implant).

Care products:

Regular use of antibacterial mouthwashes and interdental brushes prolongs implant life.

Smoking and use of tobacco products:

• Smoking reduces blood circulation around the implant by up to 70 percent, leading to bone loss. It has been reported that the implant failure rate increases 3 times in smokers who smoke more than 10 cigarettes a day.
• It is very important to quit smoking at least 2 weeks before the surgery and not to smoke for 3 months after the surgery, or at least to reduce it.

Eating habits:

• First 6 months: During the period of integration of the implants into the bone, it is important to eat soft foods.
• In the long term: Avoiding hard nuts, chewing ice, and excessively hard foods prevents the formation of microcracks in the prosthesis.

Medical and biological factors:

Bone quality and density:

• Bone type: Implant success is high in patients with dense bone structure, while this rate is somewhat lower in weak bones.
• The need for bone grafting: Patients who undergo sinus lifting or bone powder applications have a longer healing time, but long-term success is increased.

Systemic diseases:

• Diabetes: Uncontrolled diabetes increases the risk of implant loss 4-fold. This risk is close to normal in diabetics with well-controlled blood sugar.
• Osteoporosis: Patients on bisphosphonate medication may need to discontinue medication for 3 months before implant surgery.
• Autoimmune diseases: Diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis may slow the healing process.

Surgical and technical factors:

Implant placement technique:

Angular placement: Placing the posterior implants at an angle of 30-45° increases bone support by 40%.

Torque values:

Placement of implants with a torque of 35-45 Ncm is considered ideal. The risk of osseointegration increases at low torques.

Implant brand and features:

• Surface coating: Implants with SLA (sandblasting-acid etching) surface have a higher rate of osseointegration.
• Titanium quality: The use of titanium increases durability.
• Connection system: Implants with tapered connections reduce the risk of micro-leakage.

Denture design and material selection:

Denture materials:

• Zirconium: can withstand a chewing force of 1400 MPa. Color stability is maintained for 15 years.
• PMMA acrylic: More economical but needs to be renewed every 5-7 years.
• Hybrid dentures: Acrylic prostheses with metal substructure last 10-12 years.

Denture design:

• Occlusal balance: Dynamic occlusion analysis is essential for even distribution of masticatory forces.
• Number of teeth: Designs with 12-14 teeth last longer than designs with 10 teeth.

Maintenance and follow-up protocols:

Control periods:

• First year: Check every 3 months
• Subsequent years: Check every 6 months
• Radiological follow-up: Periapical X-ray once a year or CBCT every 3 years

Home care

• Special cleaning instruments: Water irrigation devices such as Waterpik and interdental brushes
• Night plaque: If bruxism is present, use of hard acrylic plates 1.5-2 mm thick

How long does All-on-4 last?

Factor	Positive Impact	Negative Impact
Good maintenance	20+ years	-
Smoking	-	May decrease to 5-10 years
Diabetes	if under control, does not affect	Poor control: Early loss
Quality implant	15-20 years	Poor quality implant: 5-10 years

When considering an All-on-4 Dental Implant abroad, meet Akdeniz Dental's expertise and quality to make sure you get the best possible results.