All-on-4 Dental Implants in Atlanta: What to Expect From Start to Finish

If you have spent years repairing one failing tooth after another, or a loose denture keeps you from eating what you love, a long-term answer can feel out of reach. All-on-4 is one way people in Atlanta get there: a full arch of teeth held in place by four or more dental implants. Dr. Jennifer Okhiria walks every patient through what the process involves before anything is decided, and this guide gives you the same overview ahead of your consult.

How All-on-4 Works

A dental implant is a small titanium post that takes the place of a tooth root. Mayo Clinic explains that the bone grows around the implant over time, which is what makes it such a steady base for teeth. With All-on-4, four or more implants are placed in one arch, upper or lower, and they hold a fixed bridge that does not come out at night and does not slide when you eat.

Who It Helps

The patient Dr. Okhiria has in mind is often someone who has been in and out of dental offices for years and wants a lasting solution, or someone whose denture keeps them from eating the foods they enjoy. People who have worn a denture for decades sometimes do not have enough bone left, and the 3D scan is how you find out.

Not Everyone Needs the Same Plan

If you already have a snap-on denture held by two implants, it can sometimes be turned into a fixed bridge by adding implants. Dr. Okhiria will tell you at your consult whether your existing implants can be used.

Your Surgery Day

You begin with a scan. A CBCT image shows the bone, nerves and sinuses in three dimensions, and Dr. Okhiria goes through it with you on a large screen so the plan makes sense before you agree to it. Most patients choose IV sedation for the surgery itself. She removes any teeth that remain in that arch, places the implants using a surgical guide, and attaches a temporary fixed bridge, so you go home the same day with teeth and with someone to drive you.

The Final Bridge Comes Later

All-on-4 is not a single appointment, and Dr. Okhiria is careful never to describe it that way. The bone needs months to heal around the implants. The final bridge is made after that, usually around six months later. Dr. Okhiria does most full-arch cases from start to finish, and some patients prefer to have their general dentist make the final bridge, in which case the two offices plan the case together from the first scan.

Caring for Your New Teeth

Brushing, flossing and regular checkups matter as much with a fixed bridge as with natural teeth. Dr. Okhiria sends you home with written instructions for the first days, and she calls to check on you herself.

Common Questions About All-on-4 in Atlanta

Do I leave with teeth on surgery day?

Yes. On surgery day you receive your implants and a temporary fixed bridge. The final bridge is made after the bone has healed, usually around six months later, so Dr. Okhiria explains both stages at your Atlanta consult.

Will I be asleep for the surgery?

Most patients choose IV sedation, which leaves you deeply relaxed and with little memory of the procedure. Dr. Okhiria reviews your health at the consult to confirm it is right for you, and you will need an adult to drive you home.

Can my snap-on denture become a fixed bridge?

Sometimes, by adding implants to the ones you already have. Dr. Okhiria checks your scan and your current implants at The Buckhead Oral Surgery Suite and tells you honestly whether they can be used.

Who makes the final teeth?

Dr. Okhiria does most full-arch cases from start to finish, though some patients prefer their own dentist for the final bridge. Either way, you will know who is doing what before you begin.

Seeing Your Own Scan