Losing a full arch of teeth changes more than how you eat. It changes how you speak, how confident you feel in a conversation, and whether you feel like yourself when you look in the mirror. Traditional dentures address the visible gap, but they rest on the gums and shift with every bite, creating a cycle of adjustments and discomfort that many patients tolerate for years before learning there is a better option. All-on-4 dental implants in Tega Cay offer a fixed, same-day solution that works the way your natural teeth did, anchored in the bone and built to last.
Harmony Dental Implants and Oral Surgery is one of the few practices in the Tega Cay and Fort Mill area where a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon performs every step of this procedure in-house, from the initial CBCT imaging through the placement and final restoration. Dr. Riddhi Patel earned her DMD from the University of Pennsylvania, completed her surgical residency at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, and is board-certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. She is a member of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, the American College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, the South Carolina Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, and both the North Carolina and South Carolina Dental Societies. For all patients pursuing dental implants at our practice, we warranty our implants for five years and will replace them at no cost if a failure occurs.
All-on-4 is a full-arch tooth replacement system that uses four strategically placed dental implants to support a complete set of upper or lower teeth. Two implants are placed vertically at the front of the jaw, and two are placed at an angle toward the back, which allows the system to make use of available bone density even when some bone loss has occurred. A temporary set of fixed teeth is then attached on the same day as the procedure, so patients leave with a functional smile before the permanent restoration is placed.
Long-term clinical data supports how reliable this approach is. A study published through the National Institutes of Health documented All-on-4 implant survival rates of 96.2% at the implant level over a ten-year period, with the maxillary arch showing 95.7% survival at 13 years. For patients who want a stable, decades-long solution, All-on-4 is one of the most well-studied options available.
Dentures solve the visibility problem, but they do not address what happens beneath the gum line. Without an implant root in place, the jawbone continues to shrink over time, which is why dentures that fit well at first gradually become loose and uncomfortable. All-on-4 replaces the root as well as the teeth, which preserves bone density and keeps the prosthesis stable without adhesives.
| All-on-4 Implants | Traditional Dentures | |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed vs. Removable | Fixed in place — never removed | Removable — requires nightly removal |
| Bone Preservation | Preserves jawbone by replacing the root | Bone continues to resorb over time |
| Stability | Secure as natural teeth — no slipping | Can shift during eating and speaking |
| Adhesives Needed | No adhesives required | Often relies on adhesives for security |
| Maintenance | Brushed like natural teeth; routine checkups | Requires soaking, special cleaners, relining |
Most healthy adults who are missing all or most of their teeth on one or both arches are candidates for All-on-4. Because the two posterior implants are placed at an angle, the system requires less jawbone density than conventional implant methods, which means patients who have been told they do not have enough bone for traditional implants may still qualify. Dr. Patel evaluates each case with CBCT imaging before recommending any course of treatment. Factors that support strong candidacy include the following:
If significant bone loss is present, procedures such as bone grafting or a sinus lift may be needed first. In cases of severe upper jaw bone loss, Dr. Patel may also discuss zygomatic implants as an alternative path to full-arch restoration. Your imaging results guide every recommendation.
All-on-4 treatment takes place across several appointments, and we walk you through each phase before anything is scheduled. Most patients leave the day of their implant surgery with a fully functional temporary set of teeth already attached, which is one of the most significant advantages of this approach over conventional implant timelines.
Recovery from the surgical phase is generally more manageable than patients expect. Most people return to light daily activities within a few days, with more significant activity resuming within a couple of weeks. Our team is available throughout your recovery and at every follow-up appointment to confirm healing is progressing as planned. For patients who would like to review All-on-4 cost and financing details before scheduling, we walk through that information during your consultation.
We accept most major PPO insurance plans at both our Tega Cay and Charlotte locations, including Delta Dental, Ameritas, Aetna, Guardian, Principal, MetLife, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Concordia, United Healthcare, and HSA and FSA funds. For patients pursuing All-on-4, we offer 0% financing for up to 24 months through Cherry, which carries one of the highest approval rates available, along with Proceed Finance and other flexible options. Our team reviews your coverage at your first appointment so you have a clear picture of out-of-pocket costs before committing to any treatment plan.
Dr. Patel is board-certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and is a member of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, the American College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, the South Carolina Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, and both the North Carolina and South Carolina Dental Societies. Her recognition in Incisal Edge Magazine’s 40 Under 40 reflects the same detail-oriented approach you can expect at every appointment, from your first imaging review through the placement of your final restoration. Whether you are exploring All-on-4 for the first time or coming to us after hearing that a different practice cannot help you, we build every plan from your imaging and your goals, not a one-size-fits-all protocol.
Our Tega Cay office sees patients from throughout Fort Mill, Rock Hill, and the surrounding communities. If you are ready to find out whether All-on-4 is the right fit for your situation, reach out to schedule a consultation and we will walk you through every step of what comes next.
1All-on-4® is a registered trademark of Nobel Biocare.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and discover the harmony of exceptional oral and facial surgical care.
