Teeth in a Day: Serving Downtown Chicago and Chicagoland
At University Associates in Dentistry, we believe a full, healthy smile should never be something you have to work around. If you’re living with failing teeth, a loose denture, or a bridge that keeps letting you down, All-on-4 dental implants can replace an entire arch of teeth with just four strategically placed implants, often in a single day.
Our doctors have provided the All-on-4 treatment since its introduction and have taken part in its research and development right here in our private practice. Planning, surgery, your new teeth, and long-term care all happen in one downtown Chicago office, so you can get back to smiling, eating, and living with confidence.
All-on-4 is a full-arch tooth replacement that anchors a complete, fixed set of teeth to just four dental implants. The two back implants are angled to make the most of the bone you already have, which is why most patients don’t need bone grafting. You may also hear it called “teeth in a day,” “same-day smile,” or “implant-supported teeth“, they all describe the same treatment. You leave surgery with a fixed temporary set of teeth, and after the implants heal, we deliver a stronger, final set made to last.
From your first visit to your final set of teeth, every step happens in our office with the same team. Here’s what to expect.
Meet your doctor, talk through your goals, and review your treatment options, timeline, and financing. We examine your teeth and gums, review your medical history, and answer all your questions. The most informed patients make the best decisions.
Using our in-office cone-beam CT and intraoral scanner, we map your jawbone, nerves, and sinuses in 3D. Your surgery is planned digitally, and a custom surgical guide is made so every implant goes exactly where it was planned.
Before you leave, a fixed set of teeth is screwed securely onto your implants. You walk out the same day with a full, functional smile, not a removable denture.
Your implants fuse with the bone over about three months. You’ll follow a soft-food diet during this time, and we see you at one week and one month to confirm everything is healing as it should.
Once healed, we take a quick digital scan (no shots needed) and craft your permanent teeth from a significantly stronger material. They’re screw-retained, so you can remove them for professional cleaning or adjustment when needed.
We are your dental home. Our in-house hygienists see you once or twice a year to clean your implants and prosthesis, check your gums, and catch small issues early, protecting your investment for decades.
Think about how hard it is to eat with a denture that slips, or to laugh freely when you’re hiding missing teeth. All-on-4 gives back the everyday things a healthy smile makes easy and because the teeth are fixed to implants in your jaw, they look, feel, and function like natural teeth.
All-on-4 is a strong fit if you’re missing most of your teeth in one or both arches, have multiple failing or decaying teeth, wear a denture you’re unhappy with, or have a bridge that’s failing. Because the implants are angled to use the bone you have, many patients who’ve been told they don’t have enough bone are still candidates — and when bone is very limited, zygomatic implants anchored in the cheekbone can be an option. Some health factors, such as certain osteoporosis medications, cancer therapy, uncontrolled diabetes, or smoking, need extra planning, and we’ll coordinate with your physician when needed. Your doctor will confirm the right approach at your consultation.
All-on-4 typically ranges from about $15,000 to $30,000 per arch. Your cost depends on how many teeth need to be removed, the implants and materials used, and whether you choose sedation. Fees vary widely between offices, so compare what’s included — at UAD, planning, surgery, teeth, and follow-up care are coordinated under one roof, with no separate bills from separate providers. You’ll get an exact quote at your complimentary consultation.
We offer payment plans and work with several third-party lenders for dental-specific financing. Many patients also use HSA funds. Our insurance coordinators have medical billing experience and can check whether your medical insurance may cover part of treatment — for example, tooth loss from trauma, cancer treatment, medication side effects, or congenital conditions such as ectodermal dysplasia.
Not all All-on-4 treatments are the same. Results depend on the training of your doctors, the precision of the surgery, and the quality of the implants and teeth. Dr. Russell Baer, Dr. Martin Marcus, and Dr. Stuart Schelkopf are recognized leaders in implant dentistry who publish research, lecture nationally, and mentor other dentists in All-on-4 care. Their post-graduate specialty training and decades of experience make this complex procedure routine in our office. As a Nobel Biocare Diamond Partner, we use implants and components from the company that pioneered All-on-4 and backs it with decades of research.
Just as important is what happens after your surgery. Unlike corporate implant chains, UAD is a complete, multidisciplinary practice — surgeons, prosthodontists, general dentists, and four in-house hygienists all work together in one downtown Chicago office. You won’t coordinate between providers or bills, and you’ll have a dental home for cleanings, maintenance, and any questions for life. For more than three decades, Chicago patients have trusted us to do it right the first time.
Your first step is a complimentary consultation with one of our experienced doctors. We’ll review your 3D scan, walk you through your options and costs, and answer every question. Call (312) 704-5511 or request an appointment below.
All-on-4 typically costs about $15,000 to $30,000 per arch. The final cost depends on extractions, materials, and sedation. We provide an exact quote at your complimentary consultation, along with payment plans and third-party financing options.
The procedure itself is painless because it’s done under local anesthetic, with IV sedation available. Expect swelling, bruising, and tenderness for a few days afterward, managed with over-the-counter pain relievers, ice, and rest. Most patients take a couple of days off work.
With good hygiene and regular maintenance visits, All-on-4 implants can last for decades and often a lifetime. Published studies report long-term implant survival rates above 95%. The teeth themselves may need occasional repair or replacement over time.
Yes. Your failing teeth are removed, four implants are placed, and a fixed set of teeth is attached in the same visit. After about three months of healing, we replace them with a stronger final set.
Rarely. All-on-4 is designed as a graft-less procedure — the back implants are angled to use your existing bone. When bone is severely limited, zygomatic implants anchored in the cheekbone can still provide same-day teeth without grafting.
Brush them after meals like natural teeth and use a water flosser to clean underneath. Visit us once or twice a year so we can remove and professionally clean your teeth and check your gums. Avoid smoking, which raises the risk of implant problems.
For most patients, yes. All-on-4 teeth are fixed in place, don’t cover the roof of your mouth, help preserve jawbone, and let you eat with far fewer restrictions. Dentures cost less up front but loosen as bone shrinks and need replacing every few years.
Dental insurance usually covers only a small portion. Medical insurance may help when tooth loss is linked to trauma, cancer treatment, medications, or congenital conditions. Medicare and Medicaid rarely cover implants. Our insurance coordinators will check your benefits for you.
