Getting Full Mouth Dental Implants? Know the Difference Between All-on-4 and All-on-X
When it comes to the ability to smile and speak with confidence, everyone who struggles with bad teeth appreciates a second chance. And that’s at least part of the reason for the growing popularity of dental implants, especially full arch or full mouth dental implants.
Indeed, millions of Americans are replacing their problem teeth with dental implants, and a growing number of adults of all ages – but especially seniors – are opting for the easy-to-maintain, comprehensive solution delivered by full mouth dental implants. If you’re one of the many exploring this option, you have probably run across the terms “all-on-four,” “all-on-six” and “all-on-x.” What do these terms mean? And which one is the best option for you? Read on for valuable information that can help you decide.
Evolution of Dental Implants
Although full mouth restorations with implants are relatively new, the idea behind dental implants goes back thousands of years. Early efforts to replace both the tooth root as well as the part of the tooth that is visible above the gum line included numerous experiments with various materials to find one that would settle into and bond with the jawbone, a process known as “osseointegration.” In the 1960s, titanium became recognized as the ideal implant material because of its strength and ability to fuse with natural bone in a relatively short amount of time.
Surgeons kept fine-tuning the fabrication and placement of titanium implants well into the 1980s, when rough-surface implants that resembled screws became the norm and professional standards for dental implants were developed. In 1982, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of titanium dental implants for tooth restoration. For years after this, patients who wanted permanent dental prosthetics received single implants that were placed tooth by tooth.
Full arch dental implants, also known as hybrid dentures, came along in the late 1990s, when a technique known as All-on-4® was introduced. The new technique involved replacing all the teeth in the upper or lower jaw with a bridge that resembled gums and artificial teeth supported by four titanium implants placed in the bone.
The innovation meant that patients could get one or two full rows of new teeth in a single procedure instead of having multiple teeth replaced with single implants over a period of weeks, months or years.
Every Mouth Is Unique
All-on-4 was a breakthrough in the field of implant dentistry. But it has been offered as a standardized, one-size-fits-all procedure and marketed as a way for dentists to offer full arch or full mouth dental implants with far less training – often only a weekend of courses — than that of oral surgeons. Moreover, many patients need more than four or even six implants for a successful full arch tooth replacement that will stand the test of time.
Think about it. There are tremendous variations in human jaws, including the size, shape and bone density. All of these factors can affect the number and placement of dental implants that are needed to securely hold a full arch prosthetic in place.
Additionally, placing more than four implants helps ensure that a patient’s hybrid dentures have a strong foundation and will remain in place even if their jawbone changes with age or one of the implants doesn’t integrate as intended.
At New Teeth Now, we refer to our full mouth dental implant technique as “all-on-x,” with “x” meaning whatever number of implants our highly experienced oral surgeons determine is needed after reviewing the patient’s condition and examining digital imaging scans of their mouth. In most cases, we will place more than four implants per jaw – typically five, six, seven or eight.
We also specialize in placing zygomatic implants in patients whose upper jawbone has shrunk too much to support traditional implants. Our zygomatic implants are specially angled to extend into the cheekbone.
All-on-X Is Just One Way New Teeth Now Stands Out
Of all the dental restoration options available, full replacement of failing teeth with implant-supported prosthetics is the longest-lasting solution that also most closely replicates the look, feel and function of natural teeth.
If you have multiple missing or rotting teeth in the upper or lower jaw, or both, then replacing them with artificial teeth held in place by full arch or full mouth implants may be the ideal choice for you. But it’s important to recognize that not every dental professional offers the same level of expertise and patient experience.
New Teeth Now has outfitted thousands of patients with full arch or full mouth dental implants topped with beautiful, natural-looking teeth that are custom crafted in our own in-house lab. Our board-certified oral surgeons have extensive experience in planning and performing full mouth dental implantations, and our clinics are equipped with the latest technology to ensure spot-on results for every patient.
What’s more, because our dental implants are placed by oral surgeons instead of dentists, we can use general anesthesia to provide a pain-free experience for our patients, no matter how many implants are required for the optimal results. Contrast this to getting implants from a general dentist who’s authorized to administer only less powerful sedation options.
A Proven Track Record with All-on-X
Our all-on-x approach is only one of the ways we provide a superior, customized experience for our patients. Our team includes restorative dentists who carefully listen to each patient’s aesthetic preferences for tooth replacement and work with our on-site lab technicians to fabricate beautiful prosthetics that make our patients proud to show off their smiles. You have only to scroll through the many testimonials on our website to understand that we have a proven track record of excellence when it comes to both successful dental implantations and satisfactory patient experiences.
Internet research provides a great start in your quest to learn more about full mouth dental implants, but the best way to discover the difference between all-on-four and all-on-x is to schedule a consultation with the experts at New Teeth Now. We’ll be happy to discuss your dental rehabilitation goals and answer your questions. Contact us today to get started.
