Disclaimer: This page is general educational information, not dental or medical advice. Only a licensed dentist or dental specialist who has examined you can recommend treatment. Individual results, risks and timelines vary.
Overview
Full-arch implant treatment replaces an entire upper or lower set of teeth with a fixed prosthesis supported by several implants. You may hear it called All-on-4, which is a trademarked technique name; similar approaches use four or more implants depending on the case.
These treatments are often considered by people with many failing teeth or those unhappy with removable dentures. Planning is complex, involving 3D imaging, evaluation of bone and bite, and coordination between surgical and restorative providers.
Some protocols allow a temporary fixed prosthesis on the day of surgery, followed by a final prosthesis after healing. Whether that's possible depends on individual factors.
How it typically works
- Comprehensive consultation and imaging.
- Treatment planning, including extractions if needed.
- Implant surgery, often with sedation options.
- Temporary prosthesis placement where appropriate.
- Maintenance visits.
Things worth considering
- Maintenance includes professional cleanings.
- Candidacy varies. A thorough evaluation is required.
- Prosthesis materials differ in durability and appearance.
- Compare options, including implant-retained overdentures.
- Costs vary widely; request detailed plans.
Local notes for Colorado's Front Range
Colorado dental providers are licensed by the state, and you can verify a dentist's license through the Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations.
We take inquiries from Fort Collins, Boulder, Denver, Colorado Springs, Pueblo.
Before you send an inquiry
- Check what your dental insurance covers, if you have it, and whether financing matters to you.
- Think about scheduling, since implant treatment is usually spread over several visits and months.
- Bring questions about sedation options if you are anxious about procedures.
- List your medications and relevant medical conditions so you can share them with the provider at your consultation.
- Note whether you smoke or use nicotine, since providers usually ask about it.
Signs to slow down
- No written treatment plan with itemized phases and fees.
- No discussion of alternatives such as bridges, dentures or no treatment.
- Unclear answers about who handles complications or follow-up care.
- A treatment recommendation made without an exam and appropriate imaging.
- Unwillingness to tell you which implant system and components will be used.
Questions to ask a provider
- Am I a candidate for full-arch treatment?
- How many implants do you plan to use?
- What materials will the final prosthesis use?
- What's included in the fee?
- What are the risks?
Common questions
- Is All-on-4 the same as dentures?
- No. It's a fixed prosthesis supported by implants, while traditional dentures are removable.
- Can full-arch implants be done in one day?
- Some protocols place temporary teeth the same day; the final prosthesis comes later.
- How long do full-arch prostheses last?
- Lifespan varies with materials, care and individual factors.
Related topics
- Replacing Dentures: Options for people considering moving from dentures to implant-supported teeth, and questions to ask a provider.
- Single-Tooth Implants: How a single dental implant is typically planned and placed, what affects candidacy and timing, and questions to ask a dentist.
- Implant Consultations: What happens at a dental implant consultation, how to prepare, and questions to ask so you can compare providers.
Disclaimer: This page is general educational information, not dental or medical advice. Only a licensed dentist or dental specialist who has examined you can recommend treatment. Individual results, risks and timelines vary.