Overview
All-On-4 Plus® treatment involves implant placement, oral surgery and healing of the gums and jawbone. Whilst we do everything we can to prevent risks and complications, it's important to understand that all surgery carries inherent risks.
Some risks are common to many surgical procedures and may include swelling, bruising, bleeding, discomfort, infection, or reactions linked to general anaesthesia. Other risks relate specifically to dental implant treatment and may include implant failure, delayed healing, sinus complications, temporary or permanent changes in sensation due to nerve involvement.
Healing varies from person to person. Factors such as smoking, existing medical conditions, bone quality, oral hygiene and overall health can affect both recovery and long-term results.
Careful planning, digital imaging, established surgical protocols and ongoing follow-up help reduce risk and support recovery. You will also receive post-operative instructions to help guide you through the healing period.
To make you as informed as possible, your dentist will discuss these with you during your initial consultation so you can make a decision about treatment. Although no dental procedure can guarantee a specific outcome, every step is taken to maximise the likelihood of a successful result. Success is a shared commitment—we carefully plan and place your implants using proven techniques, and your role in following post-operative instructions, maintaining good oral hygiene, and avoiding smoking is essential to supporting the long-term health of your implants.
Common Questions
See below common questions that we get asked about clinical risks & complications.
Yes. Like all surgical procedures, All-On-4 Plus® treatment carries potential risks and complications. These vary depending on the procedure, your anatomy, general health and healing response.
The most common side effects are swelling, bruising, bleeding, tenderness and discomfort after surgery. Most of these side effects will subside 1-2 weeks after surgery.
Yes, although uncommon, implants may sometimes fail to integrate with the jawbone. This can be caused by a number of factors such as smoking, infection, limited bone quality, uncontrolled medical conditions, or excessive force on the implants can increase this risk. We assess all of these risks before your surgery to try and limit the chances of failure happening- based on what we can control.
Nerve alteration refers to temporary or permanent changes in sensation, due to implants being placed, that can affect areas like the lips, chin, gums, or tongue after surgery which is caused by an impact to the sensory nerves. Our clinicians use digital planning and x-rays to determine the correct placement of implants, helping to minimise the risk of this occuring.
Yes, smoking is considered one of the biggest risk factors for All On 4 Plus® implants failing. Smoking can impair healing, raise the risk of infection and lower the chance of successful implant integration.
Yes. General Anaesthesia can carry potential risks, especially for patients with certain medical conditions. Your medical history and suitability are thoroughly assessed and considered before you are cleared to go ahead with treatment.
Clinicians use detailed planning, digital imaging, established surgical protocols, sterilisation procedures and ongoing follow-up care to reduce risks and support healing throughout treatment. All of this is part of the All On 4 Plus® protocol and process.
Peri-implantitis is a recognised implant-related complication. It occurs when bacteria cause inflammation around the implant. If left untreated, the inflammation can spread into the surrounding bone and may affect implant stability in the future.
Biomechanical wear and tear refers to the physical stress placed on implants, screws and prosthetic teeth over time through everyday biting and chewing forces. While All-On-4 Plus® restorations are designed for long-term durability, components can still experience normal wear and may occasionally require maintenance, adjustment, or replacement.
Traditional bone grafting may be recommended when there is not enough jawbone to support dental implants. While it can be useful in some cases, it is an additional surgical procedure and may involve extra healing time, discomfort, cost and clinical risks such as infection, graft failure or delayed healing.