Implants vs All-on‑4 vs Implant-Retained Dentures: Which Full-Arch Solution Is Right for You?

You don’t need an implant for every tooth you need to replace. Instead, we can use 4-6 implants to support a full arch restoration. This allows the force of your bite to be evenly balanced across your jaw bone, which is similar to how this would work with a bridge restoration.

If you’re curious about dental implants for a full arch restoration, there are a few options available to you. In this guide, we’re exploring the ins and outs of dental implant procedures for restoring smiles and helping individuals to regain confidence.

What are classic dental implants?

With a simple dental implant procedure, we can use 4-6 short dental implants placed in the jaw bone to help support a full arch restoration. This would be fixed in place, so only a dentist would be able to remove it.

The treatment works by creating a small pocket in the jaw bone and then placing the implant inside. The gum is closed over the implant and this is left to heal. As the bone heals around the implant, it creates a strong anchor.

For the next part of the treatment, a healing abutment is placed on top of the implant and this allows us to contour the gum. Finally, the arch restoration is placed on top of the abutment and fixed in place with screws.

Following treatment, you’ll clean your teeth just as you would with your natural teeth, paying close attention to making sure the gums around the implant are cleaned.

What are All-on-4 dental implants?

While traditional dental implants offer plenty of perks, some patients don’t like having to wait for their implants to heal before they can start wearing their new teeth. The healing stage is essential, as the implants would just fall out if the denture was attached too soon. Thankfully, there is a way to speed up the process.

With All-on-4 dental implants, we can use longer implants that enter the jaw at an angle. This can also help to make dental implants possible for those with low bone density.

When the implants are placed at an angle, it allows us to place a load-bearing denture on the same day. This means you can leave the practice with your denture and you don’t have to wait around for the implants to heal first.

What are implant retained dentures?

The final option for a full arch restoration is a removable option. This is an ideal choice if you need to be able to remove your denture for cleaning and care. If you’ve been wearing a denture for a while, you might feel more comfortable removing it at night time, so implant retained dentures can help.

With this procedure, the dental implants we place have strong magnetic clips on the top. This attaches to magnets in the denture, which allows it to snap into place. This holds it firmly enough to be able to eat any food you like, but the denture can still be removed easily by hand.

This is the ideal middle ground for those looking for an alternative to dentures, but that want the reassurance of knowing their denture won’t slip or move.

Which is right for me?

Your ideal denture might be based on preference, or it might depend on clinical requirements. This is why a consultation before you become attached to a particular treatment plan is always a good idea.

You’ll need to think about how you might handle wearing a denture while you wait for your implants to heal. If this is something you’re interested in, then you might look at All-on-4 as a possible instant treatment option with same day results.

Your dentist can help you to determine which is the right treatment plan for your needs, based on your clinical history. Since this is a permanent restoration, you’ll need to think about what is right for you now, but also what might be right for you in the future.