Reconstructive Dentistry

All-on-4™ (Full Smile Replacement)

Our All-on-4 implant protocol combines advanced surgical care with our onsite laboratory to deliver life-changing results without the big-city price tag.

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Experience the Sundial Dental difference in full-arch implants.

Hey there, Dr. Peter Elfar here from Sundial Dental. I know firsthand how challenging it can be when you’re dealing with missing teeth, uncomfortable dentures, or worrying about teeth that just aren’t holding up anymore. It’s more than just a dental issue, isn’t it? It can really affect how you feel about yourself, how you eat, and how you engage with people.

At Sundial Dental, we believe that everyone deserves to eat, laugh and speak without worry. That’s why we’re making our comprehensive All-on-4 dental implant program a cornerstone of our practice. We are bringing comprehensive full-arch rehabilitation to the Mid North Coast and Northern NSW, meaning you don’t have to travel to Sydney or a capital city for quality care. We’re seeing so many of our patients feel comfortable again, and we truly believe this could be the right solution for you, too.

What is All-on-4? Fixed Teeth, Fewer Implants, Faster Results

All-on-4 is a streamlined surgical technique that replaces a full upper or lower arch of missing teeth using just four strategically placed dental implants. Think of these implants as solid anchors for your smile.

Two implants are placed vertically at the front, and two are placed at an angle at the back. This smart design often avoids the need for complex bone grafting and provides enough strength to securely hold a complete set of beautiful, new teeth in place. Unlike traditional dentures that can slip, slide, or rub, All-on-4 provides a fixed solution that feels and functions much like your natural teeth. If you’re weighing up the differences, our guide on how All-on-4 compares to traditional implants covers the detail.

All-on-4 is an ideal solution for patients who:

Want a fixed solution that does not need to be removed at night.
Are currently wearing full dentures and hate the instability or having the roof of their mouth covered. Our article on dentures vs dental implants explains the trade-offs in more detail.
Have been told they do not have enough bone for traditional implants (the angled placement of All-on-4 helps overcome this). You can read more about bone loss after tooth loss and how implants can help.
Have failing teeth due to severe gum disease or decay and are facing clearance. If this sounds like you, our guide on your options for replacing failing teeth is worth a read.

The Sundial Difference: Experience & Our In-House Lab

What sets our approach apart? It starts with experience and a genuine commitment to making your journey as smooth as possible. I’ve personally dedicated a big chunk of my 20+ years in dentistry to implantology, undertaking extensive global training, including advanced All-on-4 surgery and completing the Implant Masters Series in Miami.

But where we really stand apart is our fully equipped in-house dental laboratory. While many clinics have to outsource the making of your teeth to external labs (often overseas or in major cities), we streamline the entire process from start to finish right here.

Quality Control: From the critical titanium bars to the final zirconia restorations, we oversee every single detail.
Efficiency: Adjustments can be made right here in the chair, saving you time and helping achieve a comfortable fit.
Smart Savings: By removing the middleman, we can offer this treatment at a highly competitive price point. This unique setup allows us to potentially save our patients up to $10,000 or more on their All-on-4 treatment compared to what you might find in larger metropolitan areas like Sydney.

How the Process Works

We lean heavily on smart technology to make our All-on-4 program smooth and predictable:

Consultation & Planning: We use our in-house 3D X-ray (digital imaging) and planning software to meticulously map your jawbone. This allows us to perform 3D guided implant surgery, helping achieve precise placement for better outcomes and a smoother recovery.
The Procedure: Your surgery is performed under local anaesthetic (with sedation options available for anxiety). Any remaining failing teeth are removed, and the implants are securely placed.
Immediate Teeth: Because of our on-site lab, we can often fit a high-quality provisional bridge within 24–72 hours of surgery, sometimes even on the very same day! You leave with a fully functional, aesthetic smile while your mouth heals.
Final Restoration: After the implants have fully integrated with the bone (usually a few months later), we craft and securely place your final, highly durable prosthesis.

Recovery and What to Expect After All-on-4

I get asked about recovery a lot, so let me walk you through what a typical healing journey looks like. Every patient is different, but here is the general pattern we see at our clinics.

The first week: Some swelling, bruising and discomfort around the jaw is normal. We prescribe pain relief and anti-inflammatory medication to keep you comfortable. Most patients manage well at home and return to light daily activities within a few days. You will be on a soft-food diet during this stage.

Weeks two to six: Swelling settles and you can gradually reintroduce firmer foods, though we recommend avoiding anything very hard or crunchy until the implants have fully integrated. We schedule follow-up visits to check healing and adjust the provisional bridge if needed.

Three to six months: This is the osseointegration period, where the titanium implants fuse with your jawbone. It happens quietly in the background while you go about your life with your provisional teeth in place. Once integration is confirmed with imaging, we fit your final restoration.

For a more detailed breakdown, our resource on All-on-4 recovery week by week covers each stage in depth.

Are You a Candidate for All-on-4?

All-on-4 can suit a wide range of patients, but it is not the right fit for everyone. During your consultation we assess bone density, gum health and overall medical history to determine whether this approach is appropriate for you.

Patients over 60 often ask whether age rules them out. In most cases it does not. General health tends to matter more than age alone, and many of our All-on-4 patients are in their 60s, 70s and beyond. Your clinician will assess overall health and suitability at your consultation. Our guide on what to expect from dental implants after 60 addresses the common concerns.

If you have been told you lack sufficient bone for traditional implants, All-on-4 may still be possible. The two angled posterior implants are designed to make use of available bone, which may reduce or eliminate the need for bone grafting in some cases. We assess this with 3D imaging at your first visit.

Conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes, active gum disease or heavy smoking can affect healing. We work with you to manage these factors before proceeding, because a stable foundation gives the implants the strongest chance of long-term success.

All-on-4 Dental Implants for Patients Across Northern NSW

Our five clinics in Port Macquarie, Taree, Kempsey, Wauchope and Laurieton mean Sundial Dental can provide full-arch implant treatment without patients needing to travel to a capital city. Patients regularly travel from towns along the Mid North Coast and beyond, including Iluka, Yamba, Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Forster and the Manning Valley, because there are very few practices in regional areas offering the combination of in-house lab work, 3D guided surgery and same-day provisional teeth.

All-on-4 is a significant investment, and travelling a couple of hours for the right team and the right price can make a real difference to your outcome. We coordinate appointments to minimise trips, and our Kempsey and Taree clinics are often the most convenient starting points for patients coming from the north or south.

Why Patients Choose Sundial for All-on-4

Beyond the technology, the expertise, and the value, it’s about our approach. We are a local practice, and we believe in clear, honest communication. We’ll walk you through every step, answer all your questions (even the ones you think are silly!), and ensure you feel completely comfortable and informed. That gentle dental care mantra we live by extends to every aspect of your All-on-4 journey.

Ready to explore your options and get back to enjoying life fully?

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FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the most frequent concerns we hear relating to All-on-4™ (Full Smile Replacement).

What is the difference between All-on-4 and traditional dentures?

The difference is life-changing. Traditional dentures sit on top of the gums and rely on suction or messy adhesives to stay in place. This often leads to slipping, sore spots, and a restricted diet (no steak or crunchy apples). All-on-4 uses four titanium implants strategically placed in the jawbone to act as anchors. A full arch of prosthetic teeth is then permanently fixed to these anchors.

Stability: They do not move, slip, or rub.

Function: You can eat whatever you like with up to 90% of natural chewing force (compared to roughly 20% with dentures).

Palate: The upper bridge does not cover the roof of your mouth, allowing you to taste food properly again.

Will I be left without teeth at any stage of the treatment?

No. This is one of the most common fears we hear, but we can reassure you: you will not leave our clinic without teeth. The All-on-4 procedure is often referred to as “Teeth in a Day.” On the day of your surgery, we place the implants and fit a temporary, fully functional bridge immediately. This allows you to smile and eat soft foods while your jaw heals and bonds with the implants. Once healing is complete (usually after 3–6 months), we replace the temporary bridge with your final, customised permanent bridge.

I have been told I don’t have enough bone for implants. Can I still have All-on-4?

Yes, in most cases, you can. Traditional dental implants require a significant amount of vertical bone height. If you have worn dentures for years, you may have suffered from bone resorption (shrinkage). The All-on-4 technique is unique because the two back implants are tilted at a 45-degree angle. This utilises the denser bone in the front of the jaw and avoids the need for complex bone grafting or sinus lifts. Many patients who were previously told they were not candidates for implants are successfully treated with All-on-4 at Sundial Dental.

Is the All-on-4 procedure painful?

We understand that the idea of oral surgery causes anxiety. At Sundial Dental, we prioritise your comfort. The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic, often combined with IV sedation (Sleep Dentistry). This means you will be in a state of deep relaxation or “twilight sleep” throughout the surgery. You will not feel pain, and you likely won’t remember much of the procedure afterwards. Post-surgery, most patients report that the discomfort is manageable with over-the-counter pain relief and subsides within a few days.

How do I clean and care for my All-on-4 teeth?

While All-on-4 teeth cannot get cavities, the gums around the implants still need care to prevent infection.

Brushing: You brush them just like natural teeth, twice a day.

Flossing: Instead of standard floss, we recommend using a “water flosser” (like a Waterpik) or specialised super-floss to clean underneath the bridge where it meets the gum.

Professional Maintenance: You will need to visit us for regular check-ups. We may occasionally remove the bridge (which only a dentist can do) to give it a deep clean and check the health of the implants to ensure they last a lifetime.