Woolbert Dental in Shreveport restores All-on-4 — a full arch of fixed teeth carried on four titanium implants instead of resting on your gums. We are a restorative practice: we plan the case with CBCT 3D imaging, design and fit the bridge, and look after it for the years that follow. The implant posts themselves are placed by the oral surgeon or periodontist we coordinate with, and we stay involved through that stage so the implant positions serve the finished teeth. If you are living with a denture that moves, or facing the loss of a whole arch, this is the conversation to have before anything is removed — schedule your consultation or call 318-868-8276.
What are All-on-4 dental implants?
The All-on-4 dental implant technique, also referred to as full arch implants, comprises four titanium posts strategically implanted along the arch of the jaw and connected to a denture plate. Its primary goal is to replace a complete arch of teeth, restoring the functionality of your bite and the aesthetic of your smile.
This method is an exceptional solution for missing teeth that entails a minor two-hour surgery per arch. The All-on-4 system eliminates the necessity for bone grafts to support the implant as the surgeon can position the posts in the most compact part of the jaw. It reduces chair time and recovery time as the whole process, from post insertion to denture fitting, is accomplished in one session, allowing you to leave with a brand new smile on the same day.
What is the All-on-4 Dental Implant Procedure?
Curious about All-on-4 dental implants? This innovative dental implant technique utilizes small titanium screws that fuse to your jawbone, replacing the root of a missing tooth. While traditional implants require one for each missing tooth, All-on-4 streamlines the process by using just four implants to support a full set of upper or lower teeth. Unlike the traditional method that may require bone grafting and sinus augmentation, All-on-4 only needs two implants angled at 45 degrees, avoiding areas of low bone density while maintaining strength. Say hello to a new smile without the hassle, thanks to All-on-4.
Benefits of choosing All on 4 implants over conventional implants:
- Support for a full arch with only four implants required
- No need for bone grafting
- Reduced healing and rehabilitation process due to less invasive surgery
- Faster procedure than traditional implants
- Greater flexibility for designing and fitting replacement teeth
- Lower bone density needed to secure the implant
- Fixed teeth can be received within just 24 hours after surgery
Who is a candidate for All-on-4?
If you’re wondering whether full mouth implants are a viable option for your dental concerns, the answer is yes! Here are some common situations where we may recommend this treatment:
- Your missing, failing, or damaged teeth severely affect your daily life, eating habits, and self-confidence when smiling.
- You’ve tried dentures, but they don’t fit properly, cause discomfort, and risk embarrassing accidents.
- Conventional implants aren’t an option for you due to reduced bone density resulting from tooth loss or gum disease.
The Next Step in All-on-4 dental implants at our Shreveport dental office
If you’re tired of concealing your smile and seeking information about the available options, Woolbert Dental is here to assist you. We can carry out an implant assessment, during which we evaluate your individual requirements and the results treatment could realistically achieve for you.
Woolbert Dental restores All-on-4: the planning, the prosthesis design, the fit, the bite and the years of maintenance that follow. The surgical placement of the implant posts is carried out by an oral surgeon or periodontist we coordinate with. Both halves are planned together, so the surgeon knows where the finished teeth have to sit before the first implant goes in — not the other way round.
Long-term success of a full arch depends on planning and maintenance far more than on the day of surgery. CBCT 3D imaging is used for every case to map bone height, nerve position and sinus floor before the plan is agreed, and a maintenance schedule is built with every patient to protect the investment. The All-on-4 design itself is what allows the posterior implants to be angled forward into the denser anterior jawbone, which is why most patients avoid separate bone grafting.
Reviewed by Dr. Michael Woolbert · Woolbert Dental, Shreveport, LA
Why Choose This Treatment
Only 4 Implants for Full Arch
Four implants — two of them angled forward into denser bone — carry an entire arch of teeth, which keeps the surgical stage shorter and the cost lower than placing an implant for every tooth.
Same-Day Temporary Teeth
In most cases a provisional arch is fitted the same day the implants are placed, so you are never left without teeth while the bone heals.
Preserves Jawbone
Implants stimulate the jawbone just like natural tooth roots, preventing the bone resorption that causes facial collapse with dentures.
Permanent Fixed Solution
All-on-4 teeth are anchored securely — no adhesives, no removal at night, no slipping. They function and feel like your own natural teeth.
Restored Chewing Strength
All-on-4 restores up to 90% of natural bite force, allowing patients to comfortably eat the foods they love without restriction.
All-on-4 vs Traditional Dentures vs Individual Implants
Here is how All-on-4 compares to the two most common alternatives for replacing a full arch of teeth. Dr. Michael Woolbert reviews all three options with every candidate during consultation at Woolbert Dental.
| Feature | All-on-4 | Traditional Dentures | Individual Implants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of implants | 4 per arch | 0 | 8–12 per arch |
| Removable | No, fixed | Yes, daily | No, fixed |
| Bone graft needed | Rarely | No | Often yes |
| Bite strength restored | Up to 90% | 20–30% | Up to 95% |
| Prevents bone loss | Yes | No — accelerates it | Yes |
| Same-day teeth | Usually yes | Yes | No — months of healing |
| Longevity | 20–25+ years | 5–7 years (relines needed) | 25+ years |
Is All-on-4 Dental Implants Right for You?
All-on-4 Dental Implants is a good fit if you are:
- Adults with multiple failing teeth or a full arch of missing teeth
- Patients with ill-fitting or uncomfortable traditional dentures
- Patients with moderate bone loss who want to avoid grafting
- Healthy adults looking for a permanent, non-removable solution
This may not be the right option if:
- Patients with severe uncontrolled diabetes or other conditions that impair healing
- Heavy smokers (implant failure rates are significantly higher)
- Patients with severe bruxism without commitment to night guard use
- Patients who cannot commit to regular maintenance visits
What to Expect, From Your First Visit to the Final Bridge
Full-arch treatment is a series of appointments over several months, not a single visit. Two practices are involved — Woolbert Dental for the planning, the prosthesis and the aftercare, and the surgeon we coordinate with for the placement. Knowing the order, and who you are seeing when, removes most of the anxiety about it.
- 1. Consultation, CBCT scan and plan — with us. Dr. Michael Woolbert examines the remaining teeth, the bite and the gum tissue, then takes a CBCT 3D scan of your jaw. Bone height, bone width, the inferior alveolar nerve and the sinus floor are all mapped before anything is decided. You get the plan, the number of visits and the cost in writing.
- 2. The surgical visit — with the surgeon. Any teeth that cannot be saved are removed and the four implant posts are placed by the oral surgeon or periodontist we refer you to, working to the plan we agreed together. It is done under local anesthetic; most of what you feel is pressure and vibration. Their office will go through the anesthetic and after-care arrangements with you directly.
- 3. A provisional bridge, so you are not without teeth. A provisional acrylic bridge or an immediate denture goes in at the same stage, on the same principle as the immediate denture on our denture page. No gap, no waiting months with nothing to smile with.
- 4. Healing and integration — back with us. Over the next three to four months the implants fuse with living bone — osseointegration. Soft foods for the first weeks. You come to us for adjustments as the gum tissue settles and reshapes underneath the temporary.
- 5. Final impressions, try-in and fit — with us. We record the exact position of each implant, establish the bite, and agree the shade, shape and tooth position at a try-in. Nothing is made permanent until you have seen it in your own mouth. The finished screw-retained zirconia or acrylic-on-metal bridge is then fitted and the bite balanced across the arch.
Common Concerns About All-on-4 Dental Implants
These are the questions patients at Woolbert Dental ask most often before committing to treatment. Dr. Michael Woolbert addresses each one honestly at your consultation.
"All-on-4 is too expensive"
A full arch usually costs less than rebuilding a mouthful of failing teeth one at a time. An honest number only exists after the exam and the scan, so that is when you get it — in writing, with the surgical fee shown separately from ours. We accept most PPO dental insurance, work on a fee-for-service basis, run an in-house membership plan, and arrange financing through CareCredit and Cherry so the cost can be spread over time.
"I'm scared of the surgery"
Almost everyone is, and saying so out loud is the easiest part of this. The placement is done under local anesthetic by the surgeon we refer you to, and most patients tell us afterwards that the anticipation was worse than the appointment itself. Most people take two to three days off work. At our own appointments — the planning, the impressions, the try-in and the fit — we offer nitrous oxide and a calm atmosphere for anyone who needs help relaxing.
"I've had dentures fail before — how is this different?"
Traditional dentures rest on the gums and slip. All-on-4 is anchored to four titanium implants fused to the jawbone — the bite force is dramatically stronger, bone loss is prevented, and there's no adhesive or slipping.
Risks and Considerations of All-on-4 Dental Implants
Every procedure has tradeoffs, and transparent conversation about them is part of informed consent. Dr. Michael Woolbert reviews these at your consultation and answers every question before treatment begins.
- Surgical infection at the implant site
- Implant failure (failure to osseointegrate) — rare
- Nerve irritation or injury (minimized by CBCT planning)
- Sinus involvement for upper-arch implants
- Peri-implantitis (bone loss around the implant) if oral hygiene is neglected
- Prosthetic wear or fracture over many years of use
Frequently Asked Questions About All-on-4 Dental Implants
After each meal, use dental floss to clean under the bridge. You can also use a water pick and/or non-alcoholic antibacterial mouthwash mixed with water. It is recommended to brush your teeth with an electric toothbrush like Oral B or Sonicare. Additionally, don’t forget to brush your tongue and the inside of your cheeks to eliminate bacteria and bad breath.
Woolbert Dental restores All-on-4 — the planning, the prosthesis, the fit and the ongoing maintenance. The surgical placement of the implant posts is carried out by an oral surgeon or periodontist we coordinate with. We stay involved through the surgical stage so the implant positions serve the finished teeth, and you come back to us for everything that follows.
The placement itself is done under local anesthetic. At our own appointments we offer nitrous oxide and a calm atmosphere for patients who need help relaxing.
Yes. Woolbert Dental in Shreveport offers All-on-4 dental implants to patients from Shreveport. Schedule a consultation or call 318-868-8276.
Cost depends on the material of the final bridge (acrylic, composite or zirconia), how many teeth have to be removed first, and the surgeon’s fee for the placement, which is billed separately from ours. You get a personalised quote after the consultation and CBCT scan at Woolbert Dental. We accept most PPO dental insurance, work on a fee-for-service basis, run an in-house membership plan, and arrange financing through CareCredit and Cherry.
As with any surgical procedure, All-on-4 carries some risk. Possible complications include post-surgical infection, implant failure (rare, typically from bone not fully integrating), nerve irritation, sinus involvement, and bone loss around an implant (peri-implantitis) if oral hygiene is neglected. Dr. Michael Woolbert reviews your full medical history and CBCT imaging with the surgeon before the placement is scheduled, precisely to keep these risks as low as they can be made.
Most patients return to work within two to three days of the surgical visit. Soft foods for the first six to eight weeks, while the implants integrate with the jawbone (osseointegration). Once healing is complete — usually three to four months later — we fit the final fixed bridge. Dr. Michael Woolbert sees you throughout that period for adjustments and stays your point of contact from the first scan to the last review.
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute dental or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Woolbert Dental restores dental implants and does not place them — the surgical placement of implant posts is carried out by a referring oral surgeon or periodontist. All-on-4 involves surgery and carries risks including infection, implant failure, nerve irritation, sinus involvement and bone loss. Candidacy depends on overall health, bone volume, and oral condition as evaluated by a dentist. Consult Dr. Michael Woolbert or a qualified dental professional regarding any questions about your oral health. Individual results may vary.
Before, during and after your all-on-4 / full arch appointment
Woolbert Dental restores implants and refers the surgical placement. Both halves are planned together, so the surgeon knows where the finished teeth have to sit before the first implant goes in.
How to prepare
- A full examination, CBCT 3D scan and photographs — the scan is what tells us whether four implants can carry your arch.
- Tell us about every medication you take, and about diabetes, blood thinners, bisphosphonates or a history of radiotherapy to the jaw. Any of these change the plan.
- If you smoke, say so. It measurably affects implant success and we would rather plan around the truth.
- You will get the full cost, the number of visits and the timeline in writing before anything starts.
How it is carried out
- Teeth that cannot be saved are removed and the implant posts are placed by the surgeon we coordinate with — Woolbert Dental restores implants, we do not place them.
- A temporary bridge or immediate denture is fitted so you do not go without teeth while the implants integrate.
- Once the implants have fused with bone, we take final impressions, record your bite and register the exact position of each implant.
- You see and approve the tooth position, shape and shade at a try-in before the laboratory finishes the bridge.
- The finished bridge is screwed to the implants and the bite is adjusted until it is even across the arch.
Afterwards, and long term
- Expect swelling and soreness for several days after the surgical stage, and a period of adapting to speaking and eating with the temporary.
- Clean underneath the bridge daily with a floss threader, superfloss or a water flosser — plaque at the implant collar is what causes long-term trouble.
- We remove the bridge periodically to clean beneath it, check the screws and inspect the tissue around each implant.
- Come back promptly if you feel any movement, hear a click, or notice bleeding or tenderness at the gum line around an implant.
What we use, and why it matters to the result
The two technologies the practice named in its own PIF — CBCT 3D imaging and digital imaging — are the ones doing the real work on a full-arch case.
CBCT 3D imaging
A three-dimensional scan of the jaw showing bone height and width, the inferior alveolar nerve and the sinus floor. Every full-arch plan starts here.
Digital imaging
Images available to view immediately, with about 70% less radiation than conventional film, and a grey-scale of 256 shades against 16–25 on film.
Titanium implant posts
Placed by the surgeon and left to fuse with living bone — osseointegration — before any load is put on them.
Zirconia and acrylic-on-metal prostheses
Zirconia for strength and stain resistance; acrylic on a rigid metal framework where lip support has to be rebuilt as well as the teeth.
Screw-retained design
The bridge is screwed rather than cemented, so it can be removed for cleaning, inspection and repair without cutting anything off.
Nitrous oxide
Available for patients who need help relaxing, alongside a calm atmosphere — the practice's own words for how it approaches nervous patients.