All-on-4 Dental Implants in Medellín

All-on-4 is the gold standard for people who've lost most or all of their teeth and want a fixed solution—not removable dentures. Four strategically placed implants support a full arch of teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. In the US, this runs $20,000-30,000 per arch. In Medellín, you're looking at $6,000-9,000 for the same procedure with the same implant brands.

What Exactly Is All-on-4?

The name says it: four dental implants support an entire arch of teeth. Two implants go straight down in the front of your jaw, and two go in at an angle (up to 45°) in the back. This angled placement is the innovation—it lets dentists use existing bone without needing bone grafts in most cases.

The result is a fixed prosthesis (a full arch of teeth) that's permanently attached to the implants. You don't take it out at night. You brush it like natural teeth. It doesn't slip or click like dentures.

All-on-4 vs All-on-6

You'll see both options advertised. Here's the difference:

For most people, All-on-4 provides more than enough support. All-on-6 adds extra stability for patients with larger jaw structures or those who grind their teeth heavily. Your dentist will recommend based on your anatomy.

The Two-Trip Process

All-on-4 typically requires two trips to Medellín, separated by 4-6 months. Here's why and what happens:

Trip 1: Surgery + Temporary Teeth (7-12 days)

Day 1: Evaluation

• Comprehensive exam and 3D CT scan
• Final treatment plan confirmation
• Impressions for temporary prosthesis

Day 2-3: Surgery Day

• Remaining teeth extracted (if any)
• Four implants placed per arch
• Temporary fixed prosthesis attached same day
• You leave with teeth—not a gap

Days 4-10: Recovery

• Swelling peaks around day 2-3
• Soft diet required
• Follow-up appointments to check healing
• Final check before flying home

Healing Period: 4-6 Months at Home

Your implants need time to fuse with your jawbone (osseointegration). During this time, you're wearing the temporary prosthesis—which looks fine and functions for eating soft-to-normal foods. You're not walking around toothless.

Trip 2: Permanent Prosthesis (5-7 days)

Days 1-2: Impressions and bite registration for final prosthesis

Days 3-5: Lab fabricates your permanent teeth

Days 5-7: Fitting, adjustments, final placement

You fly home with your permanent, final teeth.

Same-Day Teeth: How It Works

One of All-on-4's biggest advantages is immediate loading—you get teeth the same day as surgery. Here's what that actually means:

The temporary prosthesis placed on surgery day is functional. It's typically made from acrylic, lighter than your final teeth, and designed to allow healing while still giving you a smile. You can eat soft foods immediately, progressing to more normal foods over weeks.

This isn't a compromise—it's the standard protocol developed by Nobel Biocare (who pioneered All-on-4). The temporary teeth protect the implants during healing while letting you live normally.

What's Included in the Price

When a Medellín clinic quotes $6,000-9,000 per arch, this typically includes:

• 4 dental implants (Nobel Biocare, Straumann, or equivalent)
• All surgical procedures
• Extractions of remaining teeth
• 3D CT scan and planning
• Temporary prosthesis (same-day teeth)
• Final permanent prosthesis (acrylic or hybrid)
• All follow-up appointments during your stay
• Warranty (typically 3-5 years on implants, 1 year on prosthesis)

What's usually NOT included:

• Bone grafting if needed (add $500-1,500)
• Sedation/general anesthesia (add $300-800)
• Upgrade to zirconia prosthesis (add $2,000-4,000)
• Hotel and travel costs

Prosthesis Options

Your final teeth come in different materials:

Acrylic (Standard): Included in base price. Looks good, lighter weight, easier to repair if damaged. Lifespan 5-10 years before needing replacement.

Hybrid (Acrylic + Metal Frame): Stronger, longer-lasting. Acrylic teeth on a titanium bar. Lifespan 10-15 years.

Zirconia (Premium): Most natural appearance, most durable, most expensive. Individual zirconia teeth on a zirconia or titanium frame. Lifespan 15-20+ years. Adds $2,000-4,000 per arch.

Are You a Candidate?

Good candidates:

• Missing most or all teeth in an arch
• Current denture wearers wanting a fixed solution
• Teeth failing and beyond saving
• Adequate bone density (or willing to do grafting)
• Generally healthy, non-smokers preferred
• Committed to oral hygiene

May not be candidates:

• Uncontrolled diabetes
• Heavy smokers (significantly higher failure rate)
• Severe bone loss requiring extensive grafting
• Active periodontal disease (must be treated first)
• Certain medications (bisphosphonates for osteoporosis)

Recovery Timeline

Real Total Cost (Both Trips)

Questions to Ask

1. What implant brand do you use? (Nobel Biocare, Straumann, Neodent are top tier)
2. Who performs the surgery? (Should be a prosthodontist or oral surgeon)
3. What's included vs extra? (Get itemized quote)
4. What type of prosthesis is included? (Acrylic, hybrid, zirconia)
5. What if an implant fails? (Understand warranty and revision policy)
6. Do you have before/after photos of All-on-4 cases?
7. What's your success rate? (Should be 95%+ for experienced surgeons)

The Bottom Line

All-on-4 is a life-changing procedure for people living with failing teeth or uncomfortable dentures. The Medellín price difference—$14,000 vs $50,000+ for full mouth—makes it accessible to people who couldn't otherwise afford it.

The two-trip requirement means more planning, but the alternative in the US is either paying 3-4x more or continuing to suffer with bad teeth. For most people, two trips to a beautiful city with great food and perfect weather isn't exactly a hardship.