The ultimate guide to All on 4 in India

Last fact-checked: 29 January 2021

Save big money with the All-on-4® treatment concept in India.

Dental Departures’ quality-checked specialists can replace all your teeth with this innovative dental implant procedure, which is exclusively provided by Nobel Biocare®. 

What Is the All-on-4® Treatment Concept?

The All-on-4® treatment concept is a specialist technique pioneered by Lisbon implantologist, Dr. Paulo Malo, whereby all the teeth in either your upper jaw, lower jaw—or both—are replaced using dental implants.

As the name suggests, this procedure uses just four strategically placed implants that support a complete arch of teeth securely and permanently.

After confirmation of a patient's suitability and extensive planning, they are surgically embedded into the jaw bone, essentially taking the place of a tooth root. 

They look, feel and act like your own teeth (up to 90% functionality), and unlike dentures, there is no danger of them slipping or falling out.

The unique placement and length also negates the need for a bone graft.

How Much Does the All-on-4® Treatment Concept Cost in India Compared to Home?

The procedure is not available on the NHS (British National Health Service), and as a private procedure, the cost runs into multiple tens of thousands of pounds in the UK, as well as other European countries. In fact, patients seeking this treatment will find this to be the same story in most other parts of the world.

However, the savings in India are substantial, which makes it a good option if you’d like something that is more secure than dentures.

The table below compares All-on-4® treatment concept prices in India with your home country:

(Note: the prices above are approximate. Please check our current prices for your selected clinic for estimated costs of treatment).

Am I a Suitable Candidate for the Procedure?

You should be in overall good health, and your dentist will need to undertake diagnostic assessments of your mouth and jawbones to confirm that you are a suitable candidate for the procedure.

Unlike traditional implants where the bone loss in the jaw will render you unsuitable for the treatment, this technique may be viable even if you do have bone loss. The main cause of bone loss in the jaw is periodontitis, the advanced stages of gum disease, whereby the soft tissue and bone that supports the tooth is damaged.

The reason why the All-on-4® treatment concept is still possible under these circumstances is due to the fact that the technique differs from traditional implants in the following ways:

1: The implants are placed two in the front and two in the rear. They form a three-dimensional trapezoid force that secures the false teeth firmly in place.

2: The rear implants are longer than traditional implants.

3: They are placed at a 45 rather than a 90-degree angle, which creates greater bone to implant contact.

If you are a smoker, dental implants are not a good option. Smoking reduces blood flow to the mouth, and so oxygen and nutrients needed for cell health are diminished. This is a particular problem when tissues are healing, and your body’s ability to fight infection may be compromised, which could lead to infection and failure of your implants.

Is this a Good Procedure to Have in India as a Dental Tourist?

Although the treatment does involve a major procedure that can take between four and six hours, many patients find they experience little discomfort after surgery and are able to continue with most everyday activities without too many problems.

Dental Holiday

If you are planning to combine a holiday in India with your procedure, there is no reason why you shouldn’t be able to make the most of your time here, without feeling so out-of-sorts that you’d rather stay in your hotel room.

India is a vast country with a huge variety of locations and attractions to choose from. From the hippie-friendly beaches of Goa to laidback Kerala and all the areas in and around the capital city, New Delhi, including Shimla and Darjeeling in the Himalayas and, of course, the majestic Taj Mahal. With Dental Departures, you can find a great dental clinic to fit in with your travel plans in one of several popular destinations.

It is worth stressing here that you should take things slowly and gently after surgery—your body needs its strength and energy to help speed your recovery, so treat it kindly.

Quality of Care in India

There’s no need to be worried about the qualifications and skills of the dentists in India if you have chosen a reliable provider. The All-on-4® treatment concept is a specialist procedure with a high success rate and will be carried out with the same know-how and expertise by your Indian dentist as a suitably-qualified dentist at home.

Many private dental clinics in India are modern and contemporary, equipped with the latest high-tech innovations, such as 3D/CT scanning, digital x-rays and computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacture (CAD/CAM) that ensures accurate diagnoses and treatment outcomes.

Can You Recommend Good Clinics for Dental Restorations in India?

All of the clinics listed with Dental Departures have been pre-screened by us. We know that finding a trustworthy facility is paramount to obtaining the best treatment outcomes, which is why we make it our business to partner only with the very best.

Our background checks include searching criminal/legal records, visiting clinics personally and collecting real patient reviews. We confirm dentist qualifications, verify professional memberships and include clinic photos, location maps, prices and more with each of our listings. You’ll have all the information you require at your fingertips to enable you to make an informed choice.

Our top-rated clinics in India for dental restorations are:

• Specialists Dental Center in Bangalore
• Stunning Dentistry in New Delhi
• Perfect Smile India in Goa

What Does the All-on-4® Treatment Concept Entail?

The surgical procedure is carried out in just one session, but the treatment relies on precise planning beforehand, which may require a number of visits to your dentist prior to the procedure.

After surgery, you should stick around for a couple of days so your dentist can keep an eye on how things are healing, and to make sure there are no problems. Do always take your dentist’s advice—and have realistic expectations about how long you need to stay in the country.

The treatment stages can be summarised as follows:

1: Initial Consultation & Assessment:

First things first: allow Dental Departures to help you send up-to-date digital x-rays (taken at home before you fly) through to your chosen dentist in India with details of your medical history. This will enable the dentist to make a preliminary assessment as to your suitability for the treatment.

Once you arrive in India, your dentist will arrange to see you in person, carry out a thorough examination and conduct appropriate diagnostic tests to assess your mouth and jaw bone. Digital x-rays and cone-beam CT scans are used as a template for your dentist to accurately appraise the optimal placement for your implants.

You will also need to have impressions made of your mouth so that your new teeth can be made and be ready for attaching to your implants on the day of the procedure.

2: Treatment Day:

The surgery takes around two hours per jaw, and local anaesthetic with conscious sedation is normally used.

The dentist will first remove any remaining teeth before opening up gums at the points indicated from the CT scan and other digital evaluations. A small incision is made in the jaw at each of these points for the titanium implants to be inserted. 

Once in place, abutments and coping cylinders are used to hold the complete arch of teeth in place, which are attached to a custom-made acrylic base. 

It should be noted that this temporary arch of teeth (immediate loading denture) is lighter than the permanent one, which allows the implants to properly heal over the next three to four months. Following surgery, patients are advised to follow a diet of semi-solid/soft food during this time. 

3. Final Restoration

Patients return to their dentist after around six months to have the permanent (final) fixed bridge attached. This involves further tests and impressions, although the procedure itself does not require surgery. 

Further Information About the All-on-4® Treatment Concept in India:

Take a look at our listings on the Dental Departures site to find your dentist. Read patient reviews, compare prices, and check out our exclusive discounts.

Speak to Dental Departures’ Customer Care Team for further information about dental care in India, as well as finance options and insurance cover.

If you are ready to schedule your appointment you can do so online right here any time of the day or night, at no charge to you. 

Sources:

Nobel Biocare. Website accessed: 29 January 2021. https://www.nobelbiocare.com/en-uk

About Prof Paulo Malo. Nobel Biocare. Website accessed: 29 January 2021. https://www.nobelbiocare.com/dk/en/education/our-speakers/m-o/paulo-malo.html

Nordqvist, Christian. What is Periodontitis? Medical News Today. 18 January 2018. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/242321.php

Murphy, Caleb. Smoking And Tooth Implants: How it Affects the Success Rate. Authority Dental. 8 April 2019. https://www.authoritydental.org/smoking-tooth-implants

Dental treatments. NHS. Website accessed: 29 January 2021.
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/dental-treatments/

Malo, P et al. A Longitudinal Study of the Survival of All-on-4 Implants in the Mandible with Up to 10 Years of Follow-up. Journal of the American Dental Association. March 2011. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21357865

India. Lonely Planet. Website accessed: 29 January 2021. https://www.lonelyplanet.com/india

Digital Dental Radiography: Zooming in on the Future of Dental Imaging. Consumer Guide to Dentistry. Website accessed: 29 January 2021. https://www.yourdentistryguide.com/digital-radiography/

Boulos, Paul. (2010). Immediate loading of implants and fixed complete dentures: A simplified prosthetic procedure. General dentistry. 58. 406-9. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/46191254_Immediate_loading_of_implants_and_fixed_complete_dentures_A_simplified_prosthetic_procedure