Key points
- Ask whether the price is per arch and whether upper + lower treatment is double that figure.
- A useful full-arch quote identifies implant count, implant system, provisional teeth, final bridge material, extractions, grafting, imaging, sedation and follow-up.
- “All-on-4” describes a full-arch concept supported by four implants; it does not by itself tell you the bridge material, brand, staging or what is included.
- Full-arch treatment commonly involves a surgical/provisional phase and a later definitive-restoration phase after healing.
What does an All-on-4 price actually buy?
All-on-4 is commonly used to describe a fixed full-arch prosthesis supported by four implants. In practice, two clinics advertising “All-on-4” can be selling packages with very different prosthetic materials, provisional designs, imaging, sedation, grafting policies and follow-up. The number in the ad is therefore only useful after you define the package.
A full-arch quote should tell you at minimum: the number of implants, whether the figure is per arch, the implant system, whether extractions are included, what provisional teeth you receive, what the final bridge is made from, and how many trips are expected.
Current Medellín price examples
Price-example note: The figures below are prices published by individual Medellín providers and are included to show how quotes can be structured. They are not a Colombia-wide average, endorsement, guarantee, or quote for your case.
| Published package example | What the provider says it includes |
|---|---|
| COP 28,800,000 per arch — hybrid acrylic All-on-4 | One Medellín provider currently publishes this as an all-inclusive per-arch package including extractions, implants/abutments, surgical guide, provisional and final bridge; its published price increases for porcelain or zirconia. |
| $4,500 phase 1 + $4,500 phase 2 — acrylic All-on-4 | Another Medellín provider currently separates implant/surgical and final-bridge phases on its price page. Its listed extras are priced separately. |
The point is not that one package is “better.” The point is that $4,500, $9,000 and COP 28.8 million can describe different points in the same treatment journey. Always normalize the scope before comparing.
What should an “all-inclusive” full-arch quote define?
| Component | Questions to ask |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic phase | Consultation? Panoramic X-ray? CBCT? Surgical planning? |
| Extractions | All teeth in the arch? Surgical extractions? |
| Implants | Four implants exactly? Brand/model? What if five or six are recommended? |
| Bone management | Minor grafting included? Major grafting excluded? Sinus procedures? |
| Provisional teeth | Fixed or removable? Delivered same day/next day? Replacement if it fractures? |
| Final bridge | Acrylic/PMMA, porcelain, zirconia or another material? Framework? |
| Sedation | Local anesthetic only? Nitrous? IV sedation? Who administers it? |
| Laboratory | Included? In-house vs external is not inherently better; ask who is responsible for remakes. |
| Follow-up | How many local visits? Remote review? Adjustments after you return home? |
| Contingencies | Implant non-integration, delayed healing, prosthesis repair, plan change after imaging |
The final bridge material can change both price and maintenance
Full-arch prostheses can be made with different materials and designs. Marketing terms vary, so ask for the exact material and framework rather than relying on labels such as “premium.” Acrylic or PMMA-based provisionals and hybrid restorations, porcelain systems and zirconia restorations can have different cost, repairability, weight, wear and laboratory requirements.
The best question is not “Which material is best?” It is: “Why is this material appropriate for my planned design, bite, opposing teeth and maintenance plan?” That requires a clinical answer from the treating team.
One arch is not the same as a full upper-and-lower rehabilitation
Many published All-on-4 prices are per arch. If both the upper and lower arches are being treated, the clinical fee can be roughly twice a per-arch package before considering any differences between the arches. Confirm whether your written quote says upper, lower or both.
Common items that may sit outside a package
- Sedation beyond local anesthetic
- Major bone grafting or sinus augmentation
- Treatment of infection or periodontal disease outside the planned arch
- Hotel, airfare and meals
- Extra nights caused by laboratory or healing delays
- Treatment after you return home if you need an adjustment
- Replacement or repair of a provisional outside stated coverage
- Long-term hygiene and maintenance appointments
Why All-on-4 is usually a two-phase decision
Implants depend on bone healing. Mayo Clinic describes dental implant treatment as a process that can take months, much of it devoted to healing and bone integration. Some full-arch protocols provide a fixed provisional soon after surgery when clinically appropriate, but that provisional is not necessarily the same thing as the final bridge.
| Phase | Typical planning question |
|---|---|
| Pre-travel review | What imaging or records can the team review before you book? |
| Trip 1 | Examination/CBCT, extractions if needed, implant placement, provisional process |
| Healing interval | What diet, hygiene and follow-up are required? How is a provisional problem handled from home? |
| Trip 2 | How many appointments are needed for impressions/scan, bite, try-in and final bridge? |
| Long-term | What maintenance schedule does the provider recommend and who can service the system at home? |
Do not book a nonrefundable second trip based solely on a marketing calendar. Ask the treating provider what clinical milestone must be met before the definitive-restoration visit is scheduled.
All-on-4 quote comparison worksheet
| Item | Quote A | Quote B | Quote C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price is per arch or both? | |||
| Implant count + brand | |||
| Extractions included? | |||
| Grafting policy | |||
| Provisional type | |||
| Final bridge material | |||
| Sedation | |||
| Expected trips / nights | |||
| Revision / non-integration policy | |||
| Final total if plan stays unchanged |
Ask these before sending a deposit
- Is this figure for one arch or both arches?
- What exact final bridge material is included?
- What provisional will I leave with after surgery?
- Which findings could change the implant count or price?
- Are extractions and grafting included? If only some grafting is included, define the limit.
- How many trips and clinic appointments are expected?
- What must heal successfully before the final bridge is made?
- What is the policy if an implant does not integrate?
- Who is responsible for repair or replacement of a provisional while I am outside Colombia?
- What long-term maintenance is required and can another dentist service this implant system?
Build a two-trip budget before deciding what is “cheaper”
Full-arch treatment can make a dramatic difference between the clinic fee and the actual amount you spend. A useful budget includes each international trip, lodging for the provider-recommended number of nights, ground transportation, meals appropriate for the recovery period, a companion if you choose to bring one, and some room for schedule changes. If the clinic quote is close between two providers but one plan requires substantially more days or an additional trip, the travel-adjusted comparison can reverse.
Ask the clinic to separate clinical necessity from convenience. For example, a provider may recommend staying several days because it wants a post-operative check, while an extra tourism week is your choice. Keeping those categories separate prevents you from blaming the treatment for discretionary travel spending or underestimating the required portion.
Comparing full-arch treatment?
If you already know you are researching All-on-4, All-on-6 or another full-arch option, describe the proposed treatment and travel window so comparable inquiries can be routed appropriately.
Request treatment optionsFrequently asked questions
Is All-on-4 priced per implant?
Usually full-arch treatment is quoted as a package per arch, not simply four times a single-implant price. Always confirm the scope.
Does All-on-4 always mean four implants?
The term refers to a four-implant full-arch concept, but a clinician may propose a different number of implants based on anatomy and prosthetic planning. That decision should follow an examination and imaging.
Are extractions included?
Sometimes. Some published packages include extractions while others price them separately. The written quote should say.
Is the temporary bridge the final bridge?
Often not. A provisional may be used during healing, with a definitive prosthesis made later. Ask exactly what you receive at each phase.
How many trips are needed?
Many international implant plans involve at least a surgical visit and a later restorative visit, but the number and timing depend on the clinical plan.
What if I need bone grafting?
It can change cost and timing. Minor grafting may sometimes be performed with implant placement; larger augmentation may require a separate healing stage.
Sources & methodology
DentalSurgery.co uses primary health authorities, professional organizations and clearly identified provider-published prices. Provider prices are examples only: they are not independently verified market averages and can change.