Four Implants. One Day. Teeth That Stay In for Good.
There is a moment a lot of full arch patients describe the same way. They are sitting across from a dentist who just told them their remaining teeth need to come out and the only option is another denture. For patients who have already been through that, that answer is not acceptable. All-on-4 exists for exactly this situation. Four implants in a single surgery, a fixed arch attached the same day, and a result that never comes out.
At ReNEW Dental in Tewksbury, every All-on-4 case is handled by Dr. Elaine Wu, DMD and Dr. James Wu working together from the first consultation through the final restoration. Dr. Elaine Wu graduated with highest honors from Boston University School of Dental Medicine and completed a 260-hour program at the Kois Center in Seattle. Dr. James Wu is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon with over 30 years of experience. Patients from Tewksbury, Andover, Lowell, and Chelmsford choose this team because the restorative plan and the surgical plan are built together from the start.
What Is All-on-4 and How Does It Work?
All-on-4 uses exactly four implants to support a complete fixed prosthesis. Two are placed vertically at the front and two at an angle toward the back, maximizing contact with available bone and in many cases eliminating the need for grafting. The angled placement is what makes All-on-4 work for patients who have experienced bone loss from long-term tooth loss or denture wear.
The four implants create a fixed arch that does not come out. No adhesives, no nightly removal, no food restrictions after healing. Unlike a traditional upper denture there is no plate covering the roof of your mouth, so taste and sensation stay fully intact. Dr. Elaine Wu designs the prosthesis around the bite and aesthetic goals before Dr. James Wu places the implants.
Who Is a Good Candidate for All-on-4?
All-on-4 was designed for patients with significant bone loss who might otherwise require extensive grafting. The angled rear implants reach denser bone further back in the jaw, making many patients who do not qualify for standard full arch implants strong candidates. Here are the most common situations where All-on-4 is the right fit:
- Complete tooth loss in the upper or lower arch
- Failing teeth requiring full extraction and replacement
- Significant bone loss that makes standard implant placement difficult
- Patients who want to avoid or minimize bone grafting
- Long-term denture wearers ready for a permanent fixed solution
- Patients who want same-day teeth after surgery
Health conditions that affect healing, including uncontrolled diabetes and active smoking, are discussed openly before anything is scheduled. Patients who have been told elsewhere that bone loss disqualifies them are often surprised to find they are strong All-on-4 candidates once Dr. James Wu reviews the 3D imaging. Candidacy is determined by what the bone can actually support, not by a general assumption about bone loss.
