Losing teeth to gum disease?
Once the bone is going, crowns and bridges are patchwork on a failing foundation. At some point the honest answer is to start again. Send us a photo and we will tell you where you actually are, and what it would cost to fix it properly.
- A call within two hours during office hours.
- A written cost from us, before you commit to anything.
- No obligation. Many patients take weeks to decide. That is normal.
What this case cost
$454/month
144 payments at 9.99% APR, on approved credit.
Total: $38,000 for the upper arch, with the final bridge in pink porcelain.
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Treatment Plan by Dr. Mehdizadeh
- Extraction of gum disease-affected teeth with poor long-term prognosis
- Placement of 4 dental implants using All-on-4 protocol under IV sedation
- Custom implant-supported bridge with pink porcelain gum reconstruction
- Color matching to blend seamlessly with natural posterior teeth
- Follow-up adjustments and occlusal calibration over 20 weeks
When Patchwork Dentistry Fails: Why Dental Implants Were the Right Choice
This patient came to us with advanced periodontal disease. Her previous dentist had tried to save her upper teeth with a six-unit bridge, and it made things worse: an uneven gum line, long, asymmetrical teeth and a bridge that did not look right. She had lost all confidence in her smile.
The teeth holding the bridge had a poor long-term prognosis: bone loss and gum recession from the periodontal disease meant they were unlikely to stay stable and healthy. Building on them again would have meant repeated failures, more procedures and rising costs. Dr. Mehdizadeh recommended starting again on implants.
"Dentistry isn't about filling holes or patchwork. It's about restoring the patient to a beautiful state that is also functional."
Why We Recommended Dental Implants
Dr. Mehdizadeh examined her with a 3D X-ray (CT scan) and periodontal probing, and recommended removing the failing teeth and replacing them with dental implants. Implants gave her a stable foundation that does not depend on the teeth the disease had loosened.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are titanium posts placed in the jawbone, where the bone grows against them over three to six months, a process called osseointegration. Unlike a bridge on natural teeth, an implant stands on its own, so it needs no support from the teeth beside it.
How the All-on-4 Dental Implant Protocol Works
Dr. Mehdizadeh chose the All-on-4 protocol for her: four implants carrying a whole arch of teeth. He places the two front implants upright and angles the two back implants at about 30 to 45 degrees, to reach more of the available bone. The angle often avoids bone grafting, which shortens treatment and lowers its cost.
Dr. Mehdizadeh removed the failing teeth and placed the implants under IV sedation, which he administered. With severe gum recession from years of periodontal disease, teeth set on the implants alone would have looked unnaturally long, with visible gaps at the gum line. Pink porcelain solved that.
How Pink Porcelain Reconstructs the Gum Line
We designed the bridge with pink porcelain that rebuilds the missing gum. Our ceramist layers and fires it by hand to match the shade and translucency of natural gum. The pink porcelain let us give her teeth natural proportions instead of long ones, an even gum line that frames the smile, and a color that blends with her remaining back teeth.
The Result After 20 Weeks of Treatment
Treatment took 20 weeks. Her smile looks natural and balanced. The implants hold the bridge firmly, the pink porcelain reads as healthy gum, and the bridge is fixed in place: she eats, speaks and smiles with it as she would with natural teeth.
"Her smile is beautiful; it looks natural; she smiles with confidence."
Frequently Asked Questions About All-on-4 Dental Implants
What are All-on-4 dental implants?
All-on-4 is a dental implant technique that uses four strategically placed implants to support a full arch of teeth. We place two implants upright in the front of the jaw and angle two in the back to reach more bone. This often avoids bone grafting, so you receive a complete, fixed arch on fewer implants, and heal faster than with six to eight individual implants.
How much do All-on-4 dental implants cost in Beverly Hills?
This case was $38,000, covering the upper arch, with the final bridge in pink porcelain. Our three full-arch options today are $19,000 per arch in PMMA on a milled titanium bar ($34,000 for both arches), $24,000 per arch in hand-layered zirconia ($42,000 for both arches) and $34,000 per arch for Complex Reconstruction ($58,000 for both arches). Each includes the surgery, IV sedation, extractions, temporary teeth and the follow-up visits until we deliver the final teeth. $454/month: 144 payments at 9.99% APR, on approved credit.
What does "poor prognosis" mean for teeth?
When dentists say teeth have a poor prognosis, it means the teeth are unlikely to remain healthy and stable long-term. This typically occurs due to advanced periodontal disease (periodontitis), severe bone loss around the roots, extensive decay below the gum line, or structural fractures. In such cases, attempting to save the teeth often leads to repeated failures, additional emergency visits, and escalating costs over 3–5 years that exceed the cost of definitive implant treatment.
What is pink porcelain and why is it used on implant bridges?
Pink porcelain is a specially crafted ceramic that mimics natural gum tissue in color, translucency, and texture. We use it on implant bridges when significant gum recession or bone loss would otherwise result in unnaturally long teeth with dark triangles between them. The pink porcelain reconstructs the appearance of healthy gums, allowing the teeth to be designed with proper proportions (typically 10–12mm in length) while maintaining a natural, seamless appearance at the lip line.
How long do All-on-4 dental implants last?
The titanium implant posts are designed to be long-lasting and typically last many years when properly maintained. The implant-supported bridge or prosthesis may need replacement after 15–25 years due to normal wear on the porcelain or acrylic. Many patients maintain their original restorations much longer with excellent home care, regular professional cleanings every 3–4 months, and annual checkups. All-on-4 implant survival is above 95% at ten years.
Is the All-on-4 dental implant procedure painful?
We do the surgery under IV sedation, administered by Dr. Mehdizadeh, or under local anesthesia, and under sedation most patients remember very little of it. Most patients report that recovery is easier than expected, with manageable discomfort controlled by prescribed medications for 3–5 days. Patients typically return to normal activities within 7–10 days after surgery.
How long does All-on-4 treatment take from start to finish?
The complete All-on-4 treatment timeline is typically 12–24 weeks, depending on the case. This case took 20 weeks. Where the implants hold firmly, you receive a fixed temporary bridge the day of surgery; otherwise you wear an interim denture made before the surgery. Our laboratory makes the final bridge once the implants have integrated, usually at 12 to 16 weeks, and you try it in before we fix it in place, so the fit, the bite and the look are right before it is final.
What are the alternatives to All-on-4 dental implants?
Alternatives include traditional removable dentures, implant-supported removable overdentures (snap-on dentures using 2–4 implants), and conventional implant bridges using 6–8 individual implants per arch. Removable dentures are the least expensive option but offer the least stability and can accelerate bone loss. Implant-supported overdentures provide better retention than traditional dentures but are still removable. The All-on-4 protocol offers a fixed, non-removable solution with fewer implants than conventional approaches.
Who is a good candidate for All-on-4 dental implants?
Good candidates include patients with multiple failing teeth, advanced gum disease, ill-fitting dentures, or complete tooth loss who want a fixed, long-lasting solution. The angled posterior implants in the All-on-4 protocol allow treatment even for patients with moderate bone loss who might otherwise need extensive bone grafting. We assess candidacy with a 3D X-ray (CT scan), which shows bone volume, density and anatomy. Patients must be in adequate overall health for minor oral surgery and IV sedation.
Can you eat normally with All-on-4 dental implants?
Yes. Once the permanent bridge is in place and the implants have fully integrated, patients can eat virtually anything—including foods that were difficult or impossible with dentures, like steak, apples, and corn on the cob. During the healing phase with the temporary bridge, we recommend a softer diet for the first 8–12 weeks to allow the implants to integrate undisturbed. The fixed nature of All-on-4 restorations provides significantly more biting force than removable dentures.
