All-on-X Dental Implants: A Comprehensive Solution for Full Arch Restoration

Do you need significant oral reconstruction? Dental implants are one of the most popular tooth replacement options in the country. According to the Cleveland Clinic, dentists across the nation place over three million implants a year. 

All-on-X full-arch dental implants are a great solution for patients missing all or most teeth. Today, we'll discuss:

• How this innovative dental technology works
• What to expect from the procedure and living with full-arch dental implants
• The benefits of getting all-on-X vs. traditional implants and other solutions

Nothing beats a consultation, but this guide can help you decide if you're interested in exploring full arch implants. Read on to get started.

What Are Full Arch Dental Implants?

First, let's talk about dental implants. Dental implants are titanium posts that are surgically inserted into the jawbone to create an artificial tooth root. After inserting the post, we attach an abutment that acts as a connector between the post and a realistic-looking crown. 

Full arch dental implants are complete sets of artificial teeth. We call them all-on-X implants because rather than inserting a post for each crown, we insert four to six implants along the jaw. We can then attach the entire arch to those four to six implants. 

According to Investopedia, many insurance plans will cover between 10 and 50% of dental implant costs. There are also payment plans available to make the remaining costs more affordable. 

Full Arch Dental Benefits

Full arch dental benefits aren't the only solution for full oral reconstruction, yet it is one of our most recommended options. Let's take a look at the benefits of all-on-X full-arch dental implants. 

Improved Oral Function

When you've got significant oral damage, basic functions like chewing and speaking can suffer. Some people end up eating a more limited diet or speaking less as a result.

While you may need to avoid certain foods that can chip your crowns, full-arch dental implants can give you back many of your prior abilities. They also offer far more stability than traditional dentures. 

Convenience and Comfort

Caring for full-arch dental implants is a lot like caring for natural teeth. Twice a day, you'll need to brush and floss. When something happens to one of your crowns, you'll need to make an appointment to have it looked at.

Many patients find that this natural look and feel adds to the convenience and comfort of full arch implants. Once the healing is complete, getting used to your new teeth is simple. 

Enhanced Appearance

If you've been living with tooth decay, missing teeth, or ill-fitting dentures, you may have lost some of the confidence you once had in your smile.

When creating your full-arch dental implants, we take into account everything from the size of your jaw to the shape of your face to create natural, great-looking teeth. For many patients, oral restoration doubles as confidence restoration. 

Enhanced Oral Health

Full-arch dental implants can have significant oral health benefits, which is why many insurance plans will provide partial coverage. For example, all-on-X implants can:

• Stimulate the jaw bone and prevent bone loss
• Reduce the risk of gum decay
• Prevent a shift in bite patterns that can cause TMJ

Because of the way dentures sit on the gums, they can't offer the same oral health benefits. 

What to Expect from Full Arch Dental Implants

What can you expect from the process of getting full-arch dental implants? Here's a breakdown of the procedure from consultation to crown placement. 

Consultation and Evaluation

The first thing you'll do is talk to your dentist about your candidacy for full arch implants. This is a great opportunity to ask questions about:

• Your current oral health concerns
• The implant process
• Associated risks
• The healing timeline

To qualify for dental implants, you'll need to have good jawbone health, healthy gums, and no tobacco use. 

Treatment Preparation

Before your implant placement surgery, your dentist will need to take diagnostic casts, radiographs, and photographs. This allows for the creation of 3D digital models, surgical guides, and other tools needed for the surgery.

Some patients may need to get dental work done before they get implant placement surgery. For example, you may need to have any remaining teeth pulled. 

Implant Placement Surgery

The majority of patients opt to go under for their dental implant surgery using general anesthesia. That means you will need to organize a ride to and from your surgery appointment.

The entire process usually takes a few hours. Patients leave the initial surgery with temporary crowns. You can expect some soreness and swelling over the first few days, which most patients can treat with OTC pain medications and ice. 

Healing Period and Prosthesis Placement

It can take between three and six months for osseointegration, or the fusing of the implant to your jawbone, to occur. To ensure that the process goes smoothly, you should:

• Eat soft foods
• Stay hydrated
• Practice good oral hygiene

You will need to cut smoking out of your diet before getting dental implant surgery. The National Library of Medicine lists some of the causes of dental implant failure, and smoking is one of them. 

Once your dentist determines that osseointegration is complete, you can get your permanent arch installed. This appointment is not as intensive or lengthy as the implant placement surgery. From this point on, you'll need to schedule regular appointments to care for your prosthetic teeth. 

Looking for Dental Implants in Rochester?

If you're looking for significant oral restoration, full arch dental implants may be the right option for you. All-on-X implants provide the stability and natural appearance that dentures can't replicate with fewer surgery sites per arch. Talk to your dentist about your current oral health and dental concerns to find out if dental implants are right for you.



Are you looking for a Rochester dentist who can provide everything from cleanings to teeth whitening? Dr. Beach, DDS, is a board-certified periodontist with 25 years of experience treating patients of all ages. Learn more about Beach Perio, Implants, and Medspa today.