Next Smile Australia | August 2026 | Approx. 8min read
The primary difference between single dental implants and the All-on-4® treatment concept is the scale of tooth replacement. Single dental implants use one titanium post per missing tooth to replace individual gaps while preserving surrounding natural teeth. In contrast, the All-on-4® treatment concept uses just four strategically placed dental implants per arch to support an entire fixed bridge of replacement teeth, providing a full-arch restoration without requiring an individual implant post for every missing tooth.
If you’re looking at options to replace missing or failing teeth, you may be considering traditional dental implants or the All-on-4® treatment concept. While both use titanium implants to provide a stable foundation for replacement teeth, they are designed for very different situations. The right solution depends on your individual needs, including how many teeth are missing or failing, the condition of your remaining teeth and gums, available bone, and what you want to achieve for your smile, function and long-term oral health.
A single dental implant is designed to replace an individual missing tooth, without relying on the teeth around it. A titanium implant is placed into the jawbone to act as an artificial tooth root. Once the implant has integrated with the bone. Typically over 3–6 months, a custom-made crown is attached to restore the tooth’s appearance and function.
• Best suited for: Patients missing one or a small number of individual teeth, where the surrounding teeth, gums and available bone are healthy enough to support an implant.
• How it works: One implant supports one replacement tooth. If several teeth are missing in different areas, multiple individual implants may be required.
• Key advantage: A single implant can replace the missing tooth without preparing or crowning healthy neighboring teeth.
When most or all of the teeth in an upper or lower jaw are failing, severely damaged or already missing, replacing each tooth with an individual dental implant may not be the most practical approach. It can mean multiple implants, more extensive surgery and, in some cases, bone grafting.
The All-on-4® treatment concept takes a different approach, replacing an entire arch of teeth using just four strategically placed dental implants.
Best suited for: Patients who have most or all teeth failing or missing, including those affected by advanced gum disease, severe decay or failing dental work.
How it works: Four All-on-4® implants are strategically positioned in the jaw, two in the front and two angled at the back. This approach is designed to maximise the use of available bone and provide a stable foundation for a full-arch bridge.
Key advantages: The All-on-4® treatment concept can provide a fixed, full-arch solution using just four implants, often without the need for extensive bone grafting. It can also allow for a fixed provisional bridge on the day of surgery or within 24 hours, so you can leave treatment with a functional set of teeth while your implants heal.
“The All-on-4® treatment concept was developed by Professor Paulo Malo to overcome the limitations of traditional full-mouth implant surgery. By tilting the posterior implants, clinicians can utilise existing jawbone density and often avoid invasive bone grafting procedures.”
| Feature | Single Dental Implants | All-on-4® Dental Implants |
| Primary Indication | 1 to 3 missing or isolated damaged teeth | Full arch of missing, broken, or failing teeth |
| Implants per Arch | 1 implant post per missing tooth | 4 All-on-4® implants per arch |
| Surgical Approach | Targeted placement at individual gap sites | 4 strategic implants supporting a single full bridge |
| Bone Grafting | Frequently required if bone loss has occurred | Often avoids bone grafting due to angled placement |
| Treatment Timeline | 3 to 6+ months per individual tooth | Provisional fixed bridge fitted within 24 hours of surgery |
| Tooth Preservation | Preserves healthy natural teeth where possible | Replaces failing or missing teeth across the entire arch with a fixed, full-arch restoration |
| Daily Maintenance | Brushed and flossed like an individual tooth | Cleaned using water flossers and interdental tools under bridge |
The right treatment depends on how many teeth are missing or failing. If you have one or a few individual teeth that need replacing, a single dental implant can be an excellent solution. But when most or all teeth in an arch are failing, full-arch treatment with the All-on-4® treatment concept can provide a more comprehensive approach, replacing an entire arch with a fixed set of teeth.
When teeth are lost, the jawbone naturally changes and can lose volume over time. Traditional single implants require sufficient bone in the specific area where the implant is being placed, and some patients may require bone grafting first.
The All-on-4® treatment concept is designed to make strategic use of the bone that remains. At Next Smile, implants are positioned according to the MALO Protocol, including angled posterior implants where appropriate, to maximise available bone and provide a stable foundation for a fixed full-arch bridge.
Replacing several or all missing teeth with individual implants can quickly become a complex and costly treatment, particularly when multiple implants, crowns or additional procedures are required. Attempting to replace an entire arch with single implants will add up quickly, as single dental implants typically cost $4,000 to $6,000 per tooth in Australia and All-on-4® treatment concept started at $27,990 per arch at Next Smile.
Only a consultation with imaging can confirm whether All-on-4® is suitable for you. Book a no-obligation consultation with a Next Smile Australia surgeon at your nearest Super Clinic.
All-on-4® dental implants are a long-term solution for replacing a full set of missing or failing teeth.
Instead of replacing each tooth individually, this treatment uses just four strategically placed dental implants to support a full arch of fixed, natural-looking teeth. This means you can restore your smile with fewer implants and, in many cases, avoid more complex procedures like bone grafting.
All-on-4 dental implants are designed to give you a stable, comfortable alternative to dentures—so you can eat, speak, and smile with confidence again.
Key benefits include:
It follows the same trusted principles as traditional dental implants just in a more efficient and streamlined way.
Once implanted, All-on-4® dental implants and teeth are ‘fixed’. They can only be taken out by a trained dentist for regular maintenance and cleaning. It is important to remove the bridge of teeth regularly and check connection of the abutment screws between the implants and fixed teeth.
Dental implants have long been the bedrock of any dental restoration procedure. The All-on-4® treatment concept offers a faster, more efficient approach to full-arch tooth replacement compared to traditional dental implants.
With traditional implants, each missing tooth is replaced individually or with multiple implants to support bridges. This often requires several surgeries, a longer healing period, and sometimes bone grafting before the final teeth can be fitted.
All-on-4® was developed by Professor Paulo Malo, takes a different approach. Using just four strategically placed implants, it supports a complete arch of fixed replacement teeth. The back implants are positioned at a 45° angle to maximise contact with the existing bone, usually avoiding the need for grafting.
This innovative design allows most patients to receive a full set of new teeth within 24 hours — offering immediate function, comfort and confidence.
In short, All-on-4 dental implants delivers the same strength and stability as traditional implants, but with fewer surgeries, faster results and a more cost-effective full-mouth solution.
Learn more about All-on-4® vs traditional dental restoration options.
Yes, All-on-4® can be an alternative to dentures, but they are not the same thing.
The All-on-4 treatment concept is a full-arch dental implant solution designed to replace an entire upper or lower set of teeth using four strategically placed implants to support a fixed bridge. Unlike traditional dentures, which sit on the gums and can move or require adhesives, All-on-4 teeth are fixed in place and secured to dental implants. How All-on-4 dental implants differs from traditional dentures?
Stability
Traditional dentures rest on the gums and may shift when eating or speaking. All-on-4 is anchored to implants, providing significantly greater stability.
Comfort
Dentures can cause sore spots or rubbing over time. Because All-on-4 dental implants is supported by implants rather than sitting directly on the gums, many patients find it feels more secure and natural.
Function
With dentures, chewing efficiency can be reduced. All-on-4 is designed to restore stronger biting function, allowing patients to enjoy a wider range of foods.
Bone Preservation
When teeth are missing, jawbone shrinkage can occur. Dental implants used in All-on-4 stimulate the bone, which may help maintain bone structure over time – something dentures do not do.
So, are they a denture alternative? Yes. for patients who want a fixed, non-removable solution, All-on-4 fixed teeth are considered a long-term alternative to removable dentures. However, suitability depends on individual factors such as bone quality, overall health, and treatment goals. A clinical assessment is always required to determine whether the All-on-4 treatment is appropriate for you.
Stage One:
During your All-on-4® surgery, four dental implants are placed into your jaw. You then receive your first set of fixed teeth – called a provisional bridge. This bridge is worn for approximately three to six months while your bone naturally fuses to the implants.
Stage Two:
Once healing is complete, your final bridge is created and fitted. This is your permanent set of teeth, custom-designed by Next Smile Australia Labs using genuine Nobel Biocare components for strength, comfort, and aesthetics.
Following this protocol allows for:
Many of our dental surgeons have been personally trained in the Malo Protocol by Dr Paulo Malo himself. As such, Next Smile Australia is the only All-on-4® provider in Australia personally certified by Dr Paulo Malo.
At Next Smile Australia, safety of our patients is our priority. The two-bridge Malo Protocol we follow has been clinically proven over 25 years, resulting in a 98% success rate*. We only use TGA approved dental implants and materials.
Even if implants are placed by experienced professionals, there is no known way to determine if your body will accept them. So, careful analysis of your medical situation may assist in determining potential success rates.
Following your initial consultation with our experienced dental team, you will receive a comprehensive, personalised treatment plan outlining every stage of your surgical and restorative journey. This includes tailored solutions for more complex cases, incorporating advanced techniques where clinically appropriate.
Once you have selected your preferred treatment approach, we will provide a clear and structured timeline so you know exactly what to expect at each step.
All-on-4® treatment typically involves a 1–3 hour procedure, depending on whether one or both jaws are being treated. For more complex cases, such as those requiring zygomatic implants, surgical time may be longer. Your surgeon will discuss your individual case in detail and provide specific guidance based on your clinical needs.
In most cases, temporary teeth are fitted on the same day as surgery. In certain situations, they may be placed the following day – within 24 hours of your procedure.
In many cases, yes. At Next Smile Australia, eligible patients can receive a fixed provisional bridge on the day of All-on-4® surgery. Treatment suitability depends on factors including your oral health, bone availability, general health and individual treatment plan. For more information, check out our blog on “what teeth in 24 hours actually means“
Understandably, this is one of our most frequently asked questions. During an initial consultation at a Next Smile Australia clinic near you, we fully examine your dental health and if we establish that All-on-4® is suitable for you, then we provide you with a detailed treatment plan and corresponding costs for All-on-4 .
Treatment costs from $27,900 for a single arch. Not included in this costing is the anaesthetic fees which are billed separately by the medical provider. Those fees will be quoted to you prior to your surgery and are eligible for Medicare rebates.
For more details on pricing and payment plans, please visit our pricing page.
The All-on-4® treatment concept was developed by Professor Paulo Malo and is supported by extensive clinical research demonstrating a success rate of up to 98% in suitable patients.
At Next Smile Australia, we follow the proven Malo Protocol – a globally recognised treatment approach designed to maximise precision, stability, and long-term outcomes. We also use Nobel Biocare implants, which are specifically designed for this procedure and backed by long-term clinical evidence.
As the only clinics in Australia endorsed by Professor Malo, our teams are trained to deliver this treatment in line with his exacting standards, ensuring every patient benefits from a consistent, evidence-based approach.
To understand more about the 98% success rate, please read our blog “98% Success Rate with the All-on-4® Treatment Concept“
The bridge of teeth can be cleaned by you on a daily basis. The regime will include use of a toothbrush, specialised dental floss and a water flosser. You will be given detailed instructions on how to carry out this regime at home and ongoing support to ensure you understand this process. You will need to have your All-on-4® professionally cleaned every 6 months.
For additional frequently asked questions about All-on-4® Dental Implants, visit our All-on-4® FAQ’s page
Reference
With 7 Super Clinics across Australia and a network of accredited regional partners, reliable dental implant care is always within reach. From your first consultation to lifelong aftercare, our coordinated network delivers complete implant solutions – all under one roof.