All On 4

Bowral Street Dental Practice

All On 4 in Bowral:
A Full Set of Teeth in a Single Day

If you’ve lost most of your teeth — or your dentures keep slipping at the worst moments — All On 4 might be the answer you’ve been searching for. This treatment uses just four dental implants per jaw to hold a full set of fixed teeth in place. At Bowral Street Dental Practice, we help people right across the Southern Highlands get their smile back with All On 4 treatment, and many patients leave with fixed temporary teeth on the same day their implants are placed.

This page walks you through what All On 4 is, who it suits, the All On 4 process step by step, indicative All On 4 cost ranges in Australia, and the questions we hear most often from Bowral and Moss Vale patients. We’ve kept it honest, plain English, and free of sales fluff — because picking a dentist for major work like this is too important to rush.

What Is All On 4 Treatment?

All On 4 is a way to replace a full arch of teeth — top, bottom, or both — using only four implants per jaw. The implants act like artificial tooth roots. A fixed bridge of replacement teeth is then attached on top.

The treatment is often called teeth in a day because most patients walk out with a temporary fixed bridge the same day surgery is done. The final, custom-made bridge is fitted a few months later, once the gums and bone have healed.

All On 4 has been used in Australia since the early 2000s and is backed by long-term published clinical research. It’s a well-established option — not an experimental one.

Why Only Four Implants?

Two of the four implants are placed straight, near the front of the jaw. The other two are angled (tilted) to anchor into the strongest, densest parts of the jaw bone at the back. This clever placement means many people can have All On 4 without needing bone grafts — even after years of wearing dentures.

Who Is a Good Candidate for All On 4?

All On 4 suits people who:

Have lost most or all of their teeth in one or both jaws
Wear dentures that slip, click, or feel loose
Have failing teeth from advanced gum disease, decay, or trauma
Want a fixed solution they don't have to take out at night
Are in reasonably good general health

We always check your jaw bone with a 3D scan during your consultation. Even patients who have been told they “don’t have enough bone” for regular dental implants can often still have All On 4, thanks to the angled implant technique.

If you smoke heavily, have uncontrolled diabetes, or take medications that affect bone healing, your dentist will talk through the risks honestly. Sometimes the safer path is to delay treatment until those things are managed.

The All On 4 Process: Step by Step

The full All On 4 process usually runs across four to six months from your first visit to the final bridge. Here’s what happens at our Bowral clinic.

Step 1

Consultation and 3D Scan

You meet your dentist for an open chat about your goals, health history, and budget. We take 3D x-rays and digital scans of your jaw so we can plan exactly where each implant will go before any surgery.

Step 2

Written Treatment Plan and Quote

Step 3

Surgery Day

Step 4

Temporary Teeth Fitted the Same Day

A temporary fixed bridge is attached to your implants before you leave. You walk out with teeth — not gaps, not a denture. You can eat soft foods straight away.

Step 5

Healing Phase (3 to 6 Months)

The implants fuse with your jaw bone in a process called osseointegration. During this time you wear the temporary bridge and come in for short check-ups so we can keep an eye on healing.

Step 6

Final Bridge Fitted

Once healing is complete, your custom-made final bridge is fitted. This is the one built to last. You leave with the smile you set out to get.

All On 4 Cost in Australia: A Detailed Breakdown

Let’s talk money — because cost matters. All On 4 is a major investment, and pricing varies based on what’s included in your quote.

In Australia, the indicative industry-wide All On 4 cost generally falls within these ranges:

Treatment Option	Indicative Cost Range (per arch)
All On 4 with acrylic bridge (standard finish)	$23,000 – $28,000
All On 4 with titanium-reinforced bridge	$25,000 – $32,000
All On 4 with zirconia bridge (premium finish)	$28,000 – $38,000+
Full mouth All On 4 (both arches)	$25,000 – $32,000+

What Affects Your All On 4 Cost?

Bridge material

acrylic is more affordable than zirconia, but zirconia is harder-wearing

Implant brand

premium brands carry longer warranties and higher fees

Extra procedures

tooth removals, bone grafts, or sinus lifts add to the total

Sedation choice

sleep dentistry costs more than local anaesthetic

Number of arches

top, bottom, or both

Follow-up care

some quotes include first-year reviews, others charge separately

Payment Plans and Health Funds

Many of our Bowral patients spread the cost using a dental payment plan. Some private health funds with major dental cover contribute towards part of the implant or bridge fee — always check your individual policy before booking treatment. Medicare generally doesn’t cover dental implant treatment for adults.

All On 4 vs Other Tooth Replacement Options

Here’s how All On 4 compares with other ways to replace missing teeth.

Feature	All On 4	Traditional Implants (6–8 per arch)	Full Dentures
Implants per arch	4	6–8
Fixed or removable	Fixed	Fixed	Removable
Time to fitted teeth	Same day (temporary)	4–9 months	4–8 weeks
Bone graft often needed?	Sometimes	Often	No
Indicative cost per arch	$25k–$32k+	$30k–$50k+	$1.5k–$4.5k
Typical lifespan	Implants 20+ yrs; bridge may need refresh sooner	20+ years	5–10 years
Eats most foods?	Yes	Yes	Limited

Cost and lifespan figures are indicative industry-wide ranges drawn from published Australian dental sources. Your individual results depend on care, health, and case complexity.

Common Mistakes to Avoid Before Choosing All On 4

After years of helping Southern Highlands patients with implant treatment, here’s what we wish more people knew before signing up anywhere.

Picking the cheapest quote without checking what's included

Some “from $15,000” offers don’t include the final bridge, the temporary, sedation, or follow-up visits. Always ask for the full all-in fee in writing.

Skipping the 3D scan

A flat 2D x-ray can’t show how much bone you really have or where critical nerves sit. Without a 3D scan, surprises can show up on surgery day.

Not asking about the dentist's training

All On 4 is advanced clinical work. Ask how many cases your dentist has done, what their success rate is, and who handles complications if they arise.

Travelling overseas without a backup plan

Dental tourism can save money up front, but follow-up care back in Australia can be hard to find — and overseas warranties may not apply here.

Assuming all bridge materials are the same

Acrylic versus titanium-reinforced versus zirconia changes the look, feel, durability, and cost. Have your dentist walk you through the trade-offs.

Forgetting about long-term care

Implants don’t get decay, but the gums around them still need cleaning. Skipping check-ups can lead to peri-implantitis — a leading cause of late implant failure.

Recovery and Looking After Your All On 4 Smile

Most patients are back to normal daily life within a few days. There’s some swelling and tenderness in the first week, which we manage with prescribed pain relief and clear aftercare instructions. You’ll stay on a soft diet for around three months while the implants fuse to your bone.

Once your final bridge is fitted, looking after All On 4 teeth is fairly simple:

With consistent home care and regular reviews, All On 4 implants can last decades. Healthdirect Australia has more general information on dental implants and aftercare.

Why Choose Bowral Street Dental Practice for All On 4

Our Bowral clinic at 88 Bowral Street has been caring for Southern Highlands families for many years under the leadership of principal dentist Dr Rajesh Tomar. When you come in to talk about All On 4, you can expect:

A calm, gentle approach — no rushed appointments, no pushy upsells
Clear, written treatment plans with no surprise fees
Sleep dentistry and sedation options for nervous patients
A full discussion of all your options, including alternatives to All On 4
Easy access from Moss Vale, Mittagong, Burradoo, Berrima, and right across the Highlands
On-site parking

Frequently Asked Questions About All On 4

How long does All On 4 take from start to finish?

Most cases take four to six months from your first consultation to the final bridge. You’ll have fixed temporary teeth in place from day one.

Is All On 4 surgery painful?

The surgery itself is done with local anaesthetic, sedation, or sleep dentistry — so you won’t feel pain during the procedure. Recovery is usually compared to having a few teeth removed: some swelling and tenderness for a week, managed with pain relief.

Can I eat normally with All On 4 teeth?

You’ll start on soft foods for around three months while the implants fuse to your bone. Once your final bridge is fitted, you can eat most foods again — steak, apples, crusty bread. Hard items like ice cubes are best avoided to protect the bridge.

How long do All On 4 implants last?

With good care, the implants themselves can last 20+ years. The bridge on top may need replacing or repairing sooner, depending on material and wear. Regular six-month check-ups help spot small issues before they become big ones.

Will Medicare or my health fund cover All On 4?

Medicare generally doesn’t cover dental implants for adults. Many private health funds with major dental cover contribute towards part of the implant or crown fees — check your individual policy details before treatment.

Can I get All On 4 if I've been told I don't have enough bone?

Often, yes. The angled placement of the four implants uses the strongest part of the jaw and can work where standard straight implants can’t. A 3D scan during your consultation will give a clear answer for your case.

What's the difference between All On 4 and All On 6?

All On 6 uses six implants instead of four. It can give extra support for some patients with heavy bite forces or specific bone patterns. Your dentist will recommend the right number based on your scans and bite assessment.

Can I have All On 4 in only one jaw?

Yes. Many patients only need it for the upper jaw or the lower jaw. Some have it on both. Each arch is planned and quoted separately.