All-on-4 Dental Implants

Losing most or even all of your teeth doesn’t have to mean a life of removable dentures and compromised confidence. All-on-4 dental implants provide one of the most transformative solutions in modern restorative care, and for patients in Peoria, this option is closer than you might think. With just four strategically placed implants, an entire arch of teeth can be restored with a fixed, natural-looking result that lets you eat, speak, laugh, and smile without hesitation.

At Pine Glen Dental, Dr. Lori Rice and Dr. Jacey Thelen, D.D.S., bring a meticulous, detail-driven approach to every restorative case they take on. Dr. Rice joined the practice in 2002 and purchased Pine Glen Dental Group in 2012; Dr. Thelen, a UMKC graduate and Peoria-area native, joined the team as an associate dentist in 2026. Together, our dentists have built a reputation for delivering exceptional results in implant dentistry with the kind of personalized attention that larger corporate practices can’t offer. If you’ve been told implants aren’t possible due to bone loss, or if you’ve been living with uncomfortable dentures, All-on-4 may be the answer you’ve been waiting for.

What Are All-on-4 Dental Implants?

All-on-4 is a full-arch restoration technique that uses four dental implants to anchor a complete set of fixed prosthetic teeth. Unlike traditional implants, which require one implant per missing tooth, this protocol places two straight implants in the front and two angled implants in the back of the arch. The angled placement takes advantage of areas with greater natural bone density, which means many patients who have experienced bone loss can qualify as candidates without requiring extensive bone grafting first.

The result is a permanent, non-removable set of teeth that function and look like your natural smile. Patients are often able to receive a provisional set of teeth on the same day as their implant surgery, a feature that is sometimes called “teeth in a day.” The final prosthesis is placed after the implants fully integrate with the jawbone over several months.

Is All-on-4 Right for You?

Most adults who are missing all or nearly all of their teeth in one or both arches are potential candidates. This includes patients who:

• Currently wear full or partial removable dentures and are unhappy with the fit or function
• Have experienced significant tooth loss due to decay, gum disease, or injury
• Have been told that they don’t have enough bone for traditional implant placement
• Want a long-term, fixed alternative to conventional dentures

Research indexed in the National Library of Medicine (PubMed) confirms high long-term survival rates for All-on-4 restorations, with studies reporting cumulative implant survival exceeding 95% at five-year follow-up intervals, highlighting this procedure’s clinical reliability. Your surgical provider will conduct a thorough evaluation, including digital imaging and a review of bone volume and overall health, to determine candidacy for implant placement.

The All-on-4 Process at Pine Glen Dental Group

Every All-on-4 case at Pine Glen Dental Group follows a structured, patient-centered process designed to deliver predictable results and a comfortable experience from start to finish. Understanding each phase can help you feel confident and prepared before your first appointment.

Your Initial Consultation

The journey begins with a comprehensive consultation with Dr. Rice or Dr. Thelen, where digital impressions and advanced imaging help plan the restorative side of your treatment and coordinate with your surgical provider on timing and goals. Pine Glen Dental’s use of digital impressions eliminates the discomfort of traditional molds and produces more precise data to guide treatment planning. This is also the time to discuss your goals, timeline, and financial considerations. Our practice offers case-by-case financing for established patients on major procedures like All-on-4.

Surgical Placement and Restorative Follow-Up

Once a treatment plan is in place, your implants are surgically placed by a trusted oral surgeon under local anesthesia. Depending on your case, a provisional prosthesis may be attached the same day as part of the surgical visit. Once you’ve healed from surgery, our dentists take over for the restorative phase, monitoring osseointegration, which is the process of the implants bonding with the jawbone, over the following months.

Final Prosthesis and Long-Term Care

After the healing period, our dentists craft and place the final restoration, matched to the color, contour, and feel of natural teeth. Patients who want to explore whether All-on-6 implants might provide additional stability in their case can discuss this option with Dr. Rice or Dr. Thelen as well. Proper maintenance, including routine cleanings and checkups, keeps your restoration functioning beautifully for decades.

Why Choose All-on-4 Over Dentures?

Traditional dentures sit on top of the gums and rely on suction or adhesive to stay put, which can lead to slipping, sore spots, and difficulty eating certain foods, often leaving wearers feeling uncertain much of the time. Since they don’t stimulate the jawbone the way natural tooth roots do, conventional dentures also allow bone loss to continue over time, gradually changing the shape of your face.

All-on-4 implants work differently. The titanium implants act as artificial tooth roots, stimulating the jaw and halting further bone resorption. The fixed prosthesis doesn’t move, doesn’t require adhesive, and allows you to eat a full diet with confidence. Many patients who previously relied on full or partial dentures report a dramatic improvement in their quality of life after switching to implant-supported restorations.

Choose Pine Glen Dental for All-on-4 in Peoria

Dr. Lori Rice graduated at the top of her class from Loma Linda University School of Dentistry in 2002 and has spent more than two decades at the practice. Dr. Jacey Thelen, D.D.S., a UMKC graduate and Peoria-area native, joined the team as an associate dentist in 2026, bringing a special interest in restorative dentistry. Pine Glen Dental holds a BBB A+ rating, has earned a 4.7-star Google rating, and has been recognized as a Nextdoor Neighborhood Favorite every year from 2018 through 2024. When it comes to complex restorative procedures like All-on-4, our dentists’ commitment to precision and individualized care sets our practice apart from high-volume corporate alternatives in the Peoria area.

If you’re ready to find out whether All-on-4 dental implants are right for you, the Pine Glen Dental team is here to help you get started. Schedule your consultation today and discover what a full and permanent smile can mean for your confidence and quality of life.