All-On-4 Dental Implants in Lacey: One of 10 Full-Arch Options at Lacey Smiles

If you’ve lost most or all of the teeth in one or both arches — or you’re facing the prospect of full extractions — All-On-4 is one of the most well-known full-arch implant solutions available today. It replaces an entire arch of teeth with a fixed bridge supported by four strategically placed implants.

At Lacey Smiles, All-On-4 is one of 10 full-arch options we offer through our partnership with Dental Implant Solutions (DIS). The right answer for any individual patient depends on bone, anatomy, esthetic goals, and budget — which is why we don’t force every patient into the same plan.

This guide explains how All-On-4 works, when it’s the right choice, and how it fits into the broader set of full-arch options at Lacey Smiles.

‍

What Is All-On-4?

All-On-4 is a full-arch tooth replacement technique that uses four dental implants per jaw to support a complete fixed bridge of replacement teeth. Two implants are placed vertically at the front of the jaw, and two are angled at the back — a strategic geometry that lets the implants anchor securely even in patients who don’t have ideal bone volume.

Unlike a traditional denture that rests on the gums, an All-On-4 bridge is screwed onto the implants and stays in place. You don’t take it out at night. You brush and floss it like natural teeth.

In practice, full-arch implants at Lacey Smiles typically use 4–6 implants depending on bone, esthetic goals, and the specific approach — All-On-4, All-on-X, slim implant bridges, or a combination treatment that may even keep some natural teeth.

How It Compares to Other Tooth-Replacement Options

•       Versus single implants: Replacing every missing tooth with its own implant requires significantly more implants, more bone volume, more surgery, and more cost. All-On-4 achieves a complete arch with just four well-positioned implants.

•       Versus traditional dentures: Conventional dentures rest on the gums, can slip while eating or speaking, and accelerate jawbone loss over time. All-On-4 is fixed, stable, and preserves bone where the implants are placed.

•       Versus implant-supported dentures (snap-on): Implant dentures are removable and clip onto 2–4 implants. All-On-4 is permanently attached and never removed by the patient.

Who Is a Good Candidate?

All-On-4 may be a good fit if you:

•       Are missing most or all of the teeth in one or both arches

•       Have severely failing teeth scheduled for extraction

•       Wear a full denture and want a fixed, stable solution

•       Have moderate bone loss that would otherwise require extensive grafting for traditional implants

•       Want a permanent result with the fewest possible surgical visits

Because there are 10 full-arch options at Lacey Smiles, candidacy is rarely a yes-or-no question. If All-On-4 isn’t the right fit, an alternative often is.

What to Expect: The Process

1. Comprehensive Consultation & 3D Imaging

Treatment begins with a thorough exam and a CBCT (cone beam) 3D scan of your jaw. This imaging lets us evaluate bone, gums, sinus position, and nerve pathways with precision so implants can be planned exactly where bone is strongest. We also use Osstell implant stability testing and Piezo surgery as part of our protocol.

2. Customized Treatment Plan & Transparent Pricing

Working collaboratively, Dr. Hodges and our restorative team design your prosthesis to deliver optimal aesthetics, function, and comfort. We’ll discuss all options and costs before treatment begins — no surprises.

3. Guided Surgery & Same-Day Provisional Teeth

Using digital surgical guides, the implants are placed with accuracy and minimal discomfort. In many cases, you’ll receive a temporary fixed prosthesis the same day — you leave with teeth, not a denture cup.

Sedation note: Full-arch implant surgery at Lacey Smiles can be performed under sedation dentistry / general anesthesia through our partnership with Elite Anesthesia — a mobile team of board-certified Anesthesiologists and CRNAs. You’ll be comfortably asleep for the procedure.

4. Healing & Osseointegration

Over several months, the implants fuse with your jawbone (osseointegration). You’ll wear the temporary prosthesis during this time and follow a prescribed diet and hygiene protocol.

5. Final Restoration & Maintenance

Once healing is complete, the temporary bridge is replaced with your permanent, custom-fabricated final restoration. We’ll review a long-term care plan to protect your investment for the decades ahead.

Materials and Quality

All implants placed at Lacey Smiles are commercially pure titanium, with abutments in titanium, zirconia, cobalt-chromium, or gold — specifically paired to avoid galvanic corrosion (a harmful reaction between metals that can weaken bone and jeopardize implant success). The materials story matters more than most patients realize: the wrong combination of metals can shorten the life of an otherwise well-placed implant.

How Long Do Implants Last?

Per our implant FAQ, implant success rates often exceed 95% in healthy individuals with proper planning and care. The implants themselves can last decades. The bridge attached to them generally lasts 10–20 years depending on materials and bite forces, after which it can be replaced without disturbing the underlying implants.

Cost

Cost varies depending on the number of implants, whether bone grafting is required, the type of prosthesis, and other case-specific factors. We provide a detailed, transparent treatment plan and breakdown at your consultation, and offer financing options to make treatment manageable.

Common Questions

Will I have teeth the whole time?

Yes. From the day of surgery onward, you’ll have a fixed bridge in place. You will never go without teeth during the process.

Is the surgery painful?

Most patients report manageable discomfort following surgery — often less than anticipated. We use local anesthesia, optional sedation, and prescribe post-op analgesics as needed. Swelling is common, peaks around 48 hours, and then subsides; most patients resume normal activities within a day or two.

Will All-On-4 work for me, or should I look at another option?

That’s the right question, and it’s exactly what a consultation answers. With 10 full-arch options on the table, the answer is rarely “only All-On-4.” See our Dental Implant FAQs for more.

Considering All-On-4 or another full-arch option in Lacey?

A consultation and 3D scan are the only way to know which approach is right for you. Lacey Smiles offers complete diagnostic workups and clear, no-pressure treatment planning under the care of Dr. John Hodges, an internationally recognized implant clinician and educator.

Book online: book.modento.io/lacey-smiles-dental — or call the office to schedule your consultation.

About Lacey Smiles

Lacey Smiles is led by Dr. John Hodges, DDS, who brings more than 30 years of experience to our team and has placed and restored over 7,500 dental implants — including 750 full-arch cases. We serve Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater, DuPont, and the surrounding South Sound with comprehensive family and implant dentistry, accept most PPO insurances, and offer in-office sedation dentistry / general anesthesia through our partnership with Elite Anesthesia so multiple procedures can be completed comfortably in a single visit.

Book online: book.modento.io/lacey-smiles-dental — or call our Lacey office to speak with our team.