Guide

All-on-4 Dental Implants in Guangzhou: Cost, Suitability and What to Ask (2026 Guide)

Last updated: 2026-09-18

All-on-4 is a fixed full-arch restoration. Four implants support a complete bridge of teeth on one jaw, replacing everything that is missing or about to fail. The technique gets its name from the placement: two implants go in at the front and two are angled at the back to make use of the stronger bone that is usually still present there.

People choose this route when a full denture no longer feels secure, or when most of the teeth in one arch need to come out. It is a major treatment, so the sensible approach is to understand the options before you book a flight.

What is the difference between All-on-4 and All-on-6?

Both systems anchor a fixed arch to implants. The difference is the number of implants and, usually, the cost.

All-on-4 uses four implants per arch, with the back two placed at an angle. It is often the more economical option and can frequently avoid a bone graft because the angled implants reach into denser bone.

All-on-6 uses six implants per arch. More implants spread the load over a larger area, which some clinicians prefer for patients with strong bite forces or a history of grinding. It tends to cost more and may need more bone to be viable.

Neither is automatically “better”. Which one suits you depends on your bone volume, the opposing teeth, and your budget. Ask the clinic which system they recommend for your scan and why.

Who is a good candidate for All-on-4?

The treatment suits people with several missing or failing teeth in one arch, and enough bone to hold four implants. Good general health and healthy gums help.

Factors the clinic will check before agreeing to treatment:

1. Bone height and width on a CBCT scan.
2. Gum health and any active infection that needs clearing first.
3. Medical conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes or certain bone medications.
4. Smoking, which can slow healing.

If you have significant bone loss, do not assume you are excluded. Angled implants are designed to work around moderate loss, and a graft can be added where needed. The clinic, not a website, decides after seeing your scan.

Why do people fly to Guangzhou for All-on-4?

Cost is the main driver. Full-arch work in the US, UK or Australia is often quoted in the tens of thousands of pounds or dollars per arch. In Guangzhou, an All-on-4 arch typically runs ¥55,000–110,000 (about US$7,700–15,400).

The city also has a dense concentration of dental laboratories and implant specialists, which supports short turnaround on the temporary and permanent bridge. For some patients, the saving is large enough to justify the travel even after flights and accommodation.

That said, travel adds its own logistics: recovery time away from home, follow-up visits, and a clear written warranty. Check what happens if you need adjustment after you return home.

One trip or two: how treatment is usually scheduled

The schedule depends on whether the clinic offers immediate loading (teeth the same day) or a staged approach.

A common one-trip pattern looks like this:

1. Arrive for assessment and CBCT.
2. Extraction of remaining failing teeth and implant placement.
3. A temporary fixed arch fitted within a day or two.
4. Healing period of three to six months.
5. Return for the permanent bridge, or have it delivered later.

Some patients do this in two trips: a first visit for surgery and the temporary arch, then a second visit months later for the permanent bridge. A shorter single trip is sometimes possible for the initial phase, but the permanent bridge usually waits for bone integration.

Ask the clinic to write out the expected number of visits, the gap between them, and what happens if healing is slower than expected.

Do you need a bone graft if you have bone loss?

Not always. The angled back implants in All-on-4 are specifically designed to avoid the areas where bone is thinnest. Many patients with moderate resorption proceed without a graft.

A graft may still be recommended if the bone is too thin to hold even an angled implant, or if there has been long-standing tooth loss. Grafting adds ¥1,500–6,000 (about US$210–840) per site and usually adds healing time before implants can be placed.

The decision comes from your CBCT scan, not from a phone consultation. Ask the clinic to show you where the implants would sit and explain whether grafting changes your timeline or cost.

Temporary teeth and the permanent bridge

After surgery you usually receive a temporary fixed arch, sometimes on the same day. This lets you eat soft foods and speak while the implants integrate with the bone.

The permanent bridge is made later, once healing is confirmed. Most clinics fabricate a milled or zirconia arch that is stronger and more precisely fitted than the temporary.

What to ask about the transition:

1. How long the temporary is designed to last.
2. The material of the permanent bridge and whether it is included in the quote.
3. How many appointments the permanent fitting requires.
4. Whether adjustments to the permanent bridge are covered.

Cost range and what is included

The headline range for All-on-4 is ¥55,000–110,000 (about US$7,700–15,400) per arch. The final figure moves with the implant brand, the bridge material, the number of extractions, and any grafting.

Before you commit, get a written quote that states whether it includes:

• The CBCT scan and assessment.
• Extractions of failing teeth.
• The temporary arch.
• The permanent bridge.
• Any bone grafting.
• Aftercare and warranty.

Warranty on implants and the bridge is per clinic policy and must be in writing. Do not rely on a verbal promise.

If you want a clinic match and a package quote, send us your case.

What can you eat the day after surgery?

Expect the first few days to be soft and cold or lukewarm. Most patients manage:

• Soups and broths, cooled to room temperature.
• Yoghurt, porridge and smooth mashed foods.
• Soft scrambled egg and well-cooked, finely mashed vegetables.
• Plenty of water, avoiding a straw for the first days.

Avoid hot, crunchy or chewy foods while the surgical sites settle. The clinic will give you a staged diet plan, and the temporary arch is designed for soft-to-moderate chewing, not for biting into hard foods.

Failure rates and maintenance: what to ask the clinic

You should not accept a blanket “this never fails” answer. Instead, ask about the clinic’s own experience and policy.

Questions worth putting in writing:

1. What is your own success rate for full-arch cases, and how do you define success?
2. Which implant brand do you use, and what is its written warranty?
3. How do you handle a failed or loose implant within the warranty period?
4. What maintenance schedule do you recommend, and is a review included?
5. What follow-up do you offer once I have returned to my home country?

Ongoing maintenance matters as much as the surgery. Implants need cleaning around the bridge, and an annual review is typical. A clinic that gives clear, written answers to these questions is easier to plan around than one that does not.

If you want a clinic match and a package quote, send us your case.

We are an information and referral service, not a medical provider. This guide is for planning only and is not medical advice. Final diagnosis and pricing come from the clinic after assessment.