You’ve been told you need All-on-4, you’ve heard Hanoi is a fraction of the Australian price, and now you want to know exactly what you’re walking into — procedure by procedure, day by day. Here is the full picture.

Day 1: Consultation and Planning

Your first appointment is a planning session, not surgery. The clinic takes a CBCT cone-beam CT scan — a 3D X-ray that maps your bone density, sinus position, and nerve locations. This scan is what makes same-day implant placement safe and predictable.

The dentist reviews the scan with you, confirms you are a candidate, selects the shade and shape for your temporary arch, and presents a written treatment quote. At Australian Dental Clinic and other English-speaking clinics in Hanoi, quotes are itemised so you know exactly what each component costs.

Expect to spend 1.5–2 hours at the clinic on consultation day. Many patients schedule surgery for the following morning.

Surgery Day: What Happens Step by Step

Anaesthesia and Sedation

You arrive fasted. IV sedation is available at most reputable Hanoi clinics — you remain conscious but deeply relaxed with no memory of the procedure. Local anaesthetic is also administered to the surgical site. The combination means the vast majority of patients feel no pain during surgery.

Extractions (If Needed)

If you have any failing or remaining teeth on the treatment arch, they are removed first in the same session. There is no need for a separate extraction appointment or a healing gap.

Implant Placement

Four titanium implant posts are placed into your jawbone. The two posterior implants are angled at 30–45 degrees — this is the defining feature of All-on-4. Angling them allows the posts to engage deeper, denser bone and avoids the sinus cavity, which is why bone grafting is rarely required.

Total chair time for surgery is typically 2–4 hours per arch.

Same-Day Temporary Arch

Before you leave, a pre-fabricated temporary full-arch prosthesis is screwed onto the implants. You walk out of surgery with a complete set of fixed teeth. The temporary arch is made from acrylic and is designed to be functional but gentle — it protects the implants while they integrate into the bone over the following months.

This is the moment most patients describe as life-changing.

Days 1–7 Post-Op: Recovery at Your Hanoi Hotel

The first week is about protecting the implants and managing swelling.

  • Soft food only — yoghurt, soup, scrambled eggs, smoothies. Nothing that requires biting force.
  • Ice packs for the first 24–48 hours, applied in 20-minute cycles, reduce swelling significantly.
  • Pain management is usually handled with ibuprofen (400–600 mg as directed). Most patients rate discomfort as 3–4 out of 10 by day two.
  • Your clinic will make a follow-up call within 24 hours and schedule an in-person check around day 5–7 before you fly home.
  • Avoid smoking, straws, and vigorous rinsing for at least a week.

Swelling typically peaks at 48–72 hours and resolves by day 5–6. Bruising on the jaw or neck is normal and clears within 10–14 days.

Return Visit (3–6 Months): The Permanent Arch

Osseointegration — the process of bone fusing around the titanium posts — takes 3–6 months. Once your Hanoi dentist confirms full integration via X-ray, you return for the final fitting.

The temporary acrylic arch is unscrewed and replaced with your permanent zirconia or high-density acrylic arch. Zirconia is more durable and more aesthetic; acrylic is lighter and easier to adjust. Your dentist will advise which is right for your bite and budget.

Fine bite adjustments are made chairside, and the arch is torqued to final specification. Most patients report this appointment takes 1–2 hours and is entirely comfortable.

Is It Painful?

Less than most patients expect. The surgery itself is painless under sedation and local anaesthetic. The post-op window — days 2 through 4 — brings aching and swelling manageable with over-the-counter ibuprofen. By day 5, the majority of patients in Hanoi clinics report they are walking around the Old Quarter comfortably.

If you are anxious about pain, ask your clinic about IV sedation specifically, and confirm they have an on-call dentist reachable by WhatsApp during your recovery week.

What If I Can Only Make One Trip?

One trip covers the surgery phase completely. You will need a second visit for the permanent arch, but some patients plan this as a separate short holiday 3–6 months later. Discuss your situation during consultation — your clinic can advise on digital records transfer, remote monitoring, and what a one-trip-only scenario would look like for your case.

See also: How Long Should You Stay in Hanoi for Dental Implants?

Cost Comparison

LocationAll-on-4 per arch (approx.)
Hanoi, Vietnam$4,000–$8,500
Australia$25,000–$50,000
United Kingdom£20,000–£40,000
United States$24,000–$45,000

The savings on a full-mouth All-on-4 (both arches) can exceed $50,000 compared to Australian pricing — enough to cover multiple return trips to Hanoi with comfortable accommodation included.

For a broader breakdown of what procedures cost, see Hanoi Dental Prices 2026.

Sources

  1. Vietnam National Hospital of Odonto-Stomatology — clinical treatment protocols, 2024.
  2. Hanoi Department of Health — licensed dental facility register, updated Q1 2026.
  3. Vietnam Dental Association — implantology continuing education guidelines, 2025.
  4. General Statistics Office of Vietnam — medical tourism arrival data, 2025 annual report.