
The practice of dentistry is getting complicated. There has been a lot of new development in the past ten years especially in the field of implant dentistry. In fact, sometimes, implant manufacturers create new products faster than dentists can incorporate them into their practice. In the past, dentists are the gatekeepers of what technological innovation is suited for their patients. When dental product manufacturers produce new products, they need to prove to dentists that the new products have undergone stringent tests over several years before a dentist will use it in his practice. This is usually a slow process as dentists usually view these new products with a healthy dose of skepticism. Some manufacturers have taken a different route. They advertise directly to the consumer with catchy names and slogans. All-on-four, which by the way is a registered trade mark own by a particular implant manufacturer even though the term has been used rather loosely, is basically a treatment concept that replaces full dentures with a full arch fixed prosthesis supported by four implants that are placed in a tilted fashion. In Singapore, the company has not marketed the concept aggressively but elsewhere, particularly in the USA and China, many patients are aware of it through the lay media. I have patients who comes in asking for All-on-four on their own. So, what’s the big fuss about All-on-four®?
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