All-on-4® Dental Implants in Washington, DC
All-on-4® is the most widely studied full-arch dental implant protocol. Four strategically placed implants support a complete arch of fixed, non-removable teeth. At Elite Prosthetic Dentistry, every case is planned, surgically placed, and restored by the same specialty-trained prosthodontist.
3,900+
Implants Placed
97%
Success at 20 Yrs
1985
In-House Lab Since
12
Restoration Patents
Dr. Gerald Marlin, DMD, MSD
Specialty-Trained Prosthodontist (DMD, MSD)
Washingtonian "Top Dentist" 22+ Consecutive Years
Why Choose a Specialist for All-on-4
- Same prosthodontist plans, places, and restores. No clinician handoffs.
- In-house dental laboratory since 1985 for full-arch prosthesis fabrication
- CBCT-guided surgical placement to control implant angle, depth, and position
- Customized case planning, not standardized corporate protocol
- 12 U.S. patents inform how full-arch cases are engineered
Or call now: (202) 244-2101
How the All-on-4® Protocol Works
Four implants per arch, with the posterior implants tilted at a 30 to 45 degree angle to take advantage of dense anterior bone. The geometry often eliminates the need for bone grafting in patients with posterior bone loss.
Two Anterior Vertical Implants
Placed in the dense bone at the front of the jaw, where bone density is consistently strongest. These provide the foundation of the prosthesis.
Two Posterior Tilted Implants
Angled to keep the implant body inside available bone, avoiding the maxillary sinus or mandibular nerve. The angulation increases effective implant length and load distribution.
Fixed Temporary Prosthesis During Healing
A fixed temporary prosthesis is provided during the healing phase so the patient maintains function and appearance while the implants integrate with the bone.
The All-on-4 Treatment Process
Surgical placement is typically completed in a single visit. Final restoration follows after osseointegration.
Consultation and CBCT
Clinical exam, CBCT 3D imaging of the jaw, review of medical history, and a planning discussion. Output: clinical understanding of whether All-on-4 is the right protocol.
Digital Treatment Planning
Implant position, angulation, and prosthesis design determined digitally before surgery. Surgical guides produced from CBCT data.
Surgical Placement
Four implants placed in a single visit under local anesthesia with sedation options. A fixed temporary prosthesis is provided during the healing phase.
Final Restoration
After 3 to 6 months of osseointegration, the final prosthesis is designed and fabricated in the in-house lab and delivered.
Why Specialist Training Matters for All-on-4
All-on-4 is a procedure name. It is not a guarantee of outcome. The same procedure produces measurably different long-term results depending on who plans the case, who places the implants, and who designs the prosthesis.
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Three Roles, One Doctor
Dr. Marlin performs the planning, surgical placement, and restorative design. No communication breakdowns between split clinicians.
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In-House Lab Eliminates Production Lag
Final prosthesis fabricated on-site with the master ceramist working directly with Dr. Marlin. No commercial-lab shipping or loss of control.
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Customized to Patient Anatomy
The implant plan is built around the patient. Not retrofitted to a corporate protocol designed for predictable production at scale.
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Deep Research Foundation
12 U.S. patents in implant restoration methodology. The depth of research is unusual in private practice and shapes how cases are engineered.
Who Is a Candidate for All-on-4?
All-on-4 is often the right protocol for patients with significant tooth loss who want a fixed full-arch solution. Specific situations where it tends to be the better choice over All-on-6:
Significant Posterior Bone Loss
The tilted-implant design of All-on-4 specifically addresses compromised posterior bone, often eliminating the need for bone grafting.
Patients Wanting to Avoid Grafting
When bone grafting and sinus augmentation are not desired or not appropriate, All-on-4's geometry frequently provides a path without preparatory surgery.
Average Bite Forces
Patients without severe bruxism or parafunctional habits tolerate the four-implant load distribution well long-term.
Cost-Conscious Patients Wanting Fixed Teeth
All-on-4 is typically less expensive than All-on-6, while still providing a fixed full-arch solution.
What to Expect After All-on-4 Surgery
Initial discomfort is typically managed with prescribed pain medication and resolves within several days. Swelling is normal for the first 48 to 72 hours. A soft diet is required for the first several weeks while osseointegration begins. Final dietary normalization typically occurs after delivery of the final prosthesis. The full recovery timeline, including week-by-week and month-by-month milestones, is available on the All-on-X recovery page.
All-on-4 in the DMV: Specialist vs. Corporate Chain
Several corporate full-arch chains operate in the DC metro area. Their marketing is consumer-friendly and their pricing is bundled, both of which appeal to patients early in the research process. The corporate model is structurally different from a specialist prosthodontic practice in several ways that influence long-term outcomes:
- Different clinicians for surgical and restorative phases.
- Centralized production lab rather than in-house collaboration.
- Standardized protocols designed for volume and predictability.
- Sales coordinator as first patient contact.
Neither model is universally better. The corporate model can produce acceptable results for straightforward cases. The specialist model is structured for cases where the planning, prosthesis design, and long-term engineering matter most, which is typical of high-investment full-arch treatment. A more detailed comparison is on the specialist alternative to ClearChoice page.
Ready to Discuss Your Treatment Options With a Specialist?
Real All-on-4 Patient Results
Each case below was planned, placed, and restored by Dr. Marlin at the Washington, DC practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is All-on-4®?
All-on-4® is a full-arch dental implant protocol that uses four strategically positioned implants to support a complete fixed set of teeth on one arch. The two posterior implants are typically tilted to take advantage of the densest bone in the front of the jaw, which often eliminates the need for bone grafting in patients with posterior bone loss.
How long does the All-on-4 procedure take?
Surgical placement of four implants per arch is typically completed in a single visit lasting two to three hours. A fixed temporary prosthesis is provided during the healing phase. The final restoration is delivered after three to six months of osseointegration.
Will I be without teeth during All-on-4 treatment?
Not for the duration of treatment. A fixed temporary prosthesis is provided during the surgical and healing phase so the patient maintains function and appearance while the implants integrate with the bone. The final restoration is delivered after osseointegration is complete.
Do All-on-4 implants last forever?
The implants are designed to last decades when properly planned, placed, and maintained. Long-term predictability depends on accurate placement, prosthesis design, bite control, and ongoing hygiene. Dr. Marlin's in-practice implant success rate exceeds 97% at 20-year follow-up across more than 3,900 implants placed.
What is the difference between All-on-4 from a specialist and All-on-4 from a corporate chain?
The procedure name is the same, but the model of care is structurally different. At Elite Prosthetic Dentistry, the same doctor (a specialty-trained prosthodontist) plans the case, places the implants, and designs the final restoration. The prosthesis is fabricated in the in-house lab. Corporate chains commonly use a different clinician for each phase and a centralized production lab.
Related All-on-X Resources
All-on-X Overview
The full-arch implant category and how the protocols compare.
All-on-6® Dental Implants
The six-implant alternative with broader force distribution.
All-on-4 vs. All-on-6
Direct comparison of the two protocols.
Am I a Candidate?
Full-arch implant candidacy criteria in detail.
Zirconia vs. Acrylic Prosthesis
Material selection for the final full-arch prosthesis.
Recovery Timeline
What to expect after surgery, week by week.
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Conveniently Located in Friendship Heights
Serving Washington DC, Bethesda, Chevy Chase, McLean, Great Falls, Potomac, and surrounding communities. One block from the Friendship Heights Metro on the Red Line.
Request Your Specialist Consultation
Personally reviewed by Dr. Marlin or his team.
Hours
- Monday — Thursday8:00 AM — 5:00 PM
- Friday8:00 AM — 2:00 PM
- Saturday — SundayClosed
All-on-4® and All-on-6® are registered trademarks of their respective owners and are referenced here for descriptive purposes only. Elite Prosthetic Dentistry is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the trademark holders.