Therapies to Enhance Success of All-on-4 Treatment

We’ve talked a lot on this platform about the benefits of All-on-4 treatment and what it offers patients. Replacing multiple failing or decayed teeth with 4–6 dental implants and attaching a bridge to those implants on the same day can completely transform a patient’s life, often in just a single day.

After this truly transformative procedure, patients are able to smile with confidence, eat whatever they desire and also be free from dental pain. For many, this means feeling comfortable at family gatherings and being able to smile without fear or sense of embarrassment in family photos. For others it means spending more time with children and grandchildren. Some even feel ready to start dating again with a renewed sense of self-esteem.

But here’s the question: What can you do to make sure your All-on-4 treatment is as successful as possible?

Is there a way to maximize the success of your All-on-4 implants? 

Yes, there are a few supportive therapies that can help you get the best possible outcome. Let’s see how.

LPRF

LPRF stands for leukocyte and platelet-rich fibrin. You may be wondering, what is leukocyte platelet-rich fibrin? It’s a healing material made from a small amount of the patient’s own blood. This blood is spun in a centrifuge to separate out the fibrin, which is rich in healing cells that help reduce inflammation, improve clotting, and promote faster recovery.

One of the biggest advantages of LPRF is that it’s completely natural, which makes it both safe and effective. This leads many patients to ask, is PRF dental worth it? Since L-PRF is a specific type of PRF with additional white blood cells and healing potential, the benefits often make it well worth including in treatment.

Some also ask if PRF is necessary for tooth extraction as part of the treatment? While not strictly necessary, using it after an extraction can significantly improve healing and reduce post-operative discomfort. That said, can you still get a dry socket with PRF? The risk is significantly lower, but it’s not entirely eliminated; good post-op care still plays an important role.

Finally, as with any treatment, it’s important to know who is not a candidate for PRF. Generally, individuals with certain blood conditions or those taking medications that affect clotting may not be suitable for this therapy. 

Bone graft

Bone grafting is occasionally used during the All-on-4 procedure. It involves placing either small pieces of a patient’s own bone around the implants to enhance their long-term stability or alternatively using bone derived from other human specimens or synthetic bone substitutes. I won’t go into too much detail as to the pros and cons of each type of bone graft (this is discussed elsewhere on this blog), but the main idea is that bone grafting can be very helpful in many cases of All-on-4 and All-on-6 treatment. For those considering full arch solutions, do you need a bone graft for All-on-4 implants? The answer depends on bone volume and density, but it is not always required.

It’s also worth addressing a common concern: Can you have All-on-4 with bone loss? Yes, many patients with bone loss can still qualify for the treatment, especially when strategic implant placement and supporting therapies are used. Depending on the case, implants may be placed immediately or after a short healing period to ensure optimal results.

Final thoughts

I wanted to discuss these two therapies because, unfortunately, they’re sometimes treated as optional add-ons in certain dental practices – something patients are charged extra for. I don’t agree with that approach. If these therapies improve healing and increase the chances of long-term success, they should be included as part of the treatment. Especially when we’re using the patient’s own blood or bone – why should that cost more?

As healthcare providers, it’s our responsibility to use the tools and knowledge we have to do what’s best for the patient. That means offering therapies like LPRF and bone grafting during All-on-4 as part of the care, not as an extra fee.

Thanks for reading. If you have any questions or want to know more, we’re here for you.