All-on-X dental implants replace a full arch of missing or failing teeth with a fixed bridge that is anchored to a small number of implants, usually four to six. The best-known version, All-on-4, uses four implants per arch. The result is a set of teeth that stays in place, lets you chew normally and does not come out at night like a denture. At Center for Dental Implants, Dr. Arun K. Garg, DMD, plans and places full-arch implants for patients from our Aventura, Hallandale Beach, and Pembroke Pines offices, often with a temporary set of fixed teeth on the day of surgery. Schedule a free implant consultation to find out whether you are a candidate.
What Are All-on-4 and All-on-X Implants?
A traditional implant replaces one tooth with one implant. Full-arch treatment works differently. Instead of an implant for every missing tooth, a few implants are placed in the strongest areas of the jaw, and a single custom bridge of teeth is screwed onto them. The bridge replaces every tooth in the upper arch, the lower arch, or both.
“All-on-4” describes a protocol with four implants per arch. The two back implants are often tilted so they reach dense bone in front of the sinus or nerve, which can reduce or avoid the need for grafting. “All-on-X” is the broader term. The X stands for however many implants your bone and bite call for, most often four, five, or six. Some patients need more support because of bite forces, bone quality, or the material of the final bridge. Your 3D scan decides the number, not a package name.
All-on-4 vs. All-on-6 vs. Traditional Dentures
| All-on-4 | All-on-6 and other All-on-X plans | Traditional dentures | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Implants per arch | 4 | Usually 5 to 6, sometimes more | None |
| Stays in place | Fixed, removed only by the dental team | Fixed, removed only by the dental team | Removable, held by suction or adhesive |
| Chewing | Close to natural teeth | Close to natural teeth, with extra support spread over more implants | Much weaker, many foods avoided |
| Palate covered | No | No | Yes, on upper dentures |
| Jawbone | Implants stimulate the bone where they are placed | Implants stimulate the bone where they are placed | Bone keeps shrinking, so dentures loosen over time |
| Best suited to | Many patients with enough bone in the front of the jaw | Patients with heavier bite forces, softer bone, or specific bridge materials | Patients who cannot have or do not want surgery |
Some patients prefer a removable implant-supported denture that snaps onto implants and comes out for cleaning. It costs less than a fixed bridge and is far more stable than a regular denture. We explain both options at your consultation.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Full-Arch Implants?
You may be a good candidate for All-on-X if you:
- Are missing most or all of your teeth in one or both arches
- Have many teeth that are failing from decay, fractures, or gum disease and cannot be saved
- Wear a denture that slips, rubs, or keeps you from eating the foods you like
- Have older crowns and bridges reaching the end of their life across much of your mouth
- Want a fixed solution rather than something you take out every night
Good general health matters too. Uncontrolled diabetes, heavy smoking, and some medications can affect healing, so we review your medical history carefully. None of these automatically rules you out, but they change how we plan.
Told you do not have enough bone?
Bone loss is the most common reason patients are turned away for implants elsewhere, and it is where Dr. Garg’s background matters most. He is widely regarded as a leading authority on bone biology and bone grafting for implant surgery and has written nine books on the subject. Depending on your 3D scan, full-arch treatment may be possible with tilted implants, advanced bone grafting, or sinus grafting in the upper jaw. Read more about bone loss and dental implants, or about what we do when a previous implant has failed.
The All-on-X Process, Step by Step
- Consultation and 3D imaging. We take a 3D CBCT scan and digital impressions to measure bone volume and density and to map the sinus, nerves, and bite. You leave knowing whether full-arch treatment suits you and which options fit.
- Digital planning and smile design. Using digital treatment planning software and Digital Smile Design, we decide the exact position, depth, and angle of every implant, and design the shape and size of your new teeth before surgery.
- Surgery day. Any failing teeth are removed, grafting is done if needed, and the implants are placed, often with guided surgery for accuracy. Sedation is available to keep you comfortable.
- Temporary teeth. When the implants are stable enough, a temporary fixed bridge is attached the same day, so you do not go home without teeth. Learn more about immediate implants.
- Healing. Over the next few months, the implants fuse with the bone. You follow a soft-food diet at first and come in for check-ups.
- Your final bridge. Once healing is complete, we design your permanent full-arch prosthesis with CAD/CAM technology for a precise fit, a natural look, and an even bite.
Why Choose Center for Dental Implants for Full-Arch Treatment?
Full-arch treatment is not something most people want to do twice. The planning, the implant positions, and the design of the bridge decide whether your new teeth last for decades or cause problems in a few years.
- Surgical depth. For more than 20 years, Dr. Garg served as a full-time professor of surgery in the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, where he also directed residency training. Meet Dr. Garg.
- A teacher of other implant dentists. Dr. Garg has trained more than 20,000 dentists in implant surgery and restoration and lectures at national and international meetings.
- Planning before surgery. 3D CBCT imaging, guided surgery, and Digital Smile Design mean your implants are placed where the bridge needs them.
- Surgery and teeth under one roof. Implant placement, grafting, and the final CAD/CAM restoration are coordinated by one team, so you are not passed between offices.
- Biologic healing support. Where appropriate, we use PRP and growth factor therapies from your own blood to support bone and gum healing.
Full-arch implants are often one part of a larger plan that also includes crowns, grafting, or bite correction. When that is the case, see our page on full-mouth reconstruction. For an overview of every implant service we offer, visit implant dentistry.
How Much Do All-on-4 and All-on-X Implants Cost?
The cost of full-arch implants depends on your case, not a menu price. Commonly quoted national ranges run from roughly $15,000 to $30,000 per arch, and your number may be lower or higher. These are general U.S. figures, not a quote from our office. The main factors are:
- One arch or both
- How many implants you need
- Extractions, bone grafting, or a sinus lift
- The material of the final bridge
- Sedation and the temporary bridge
After your 3D scan, we give you a written treatment plan with your actual fee before anything begins. Monthly payment plans are available through Cherry financing, and our dental membership plan is another way to manage costs. Dental insurance may cover part of the extractions or the prosthesis, and our team will help you check your benefits.
Recovery and Life With Your New Teeth
Most patients return to desk work within a few days. Swelling and soreness usually peak around day two or three and are managed with medication and cold packs. For the first few months, you eat soft foods such as eggs, fish, pasta, and cooked vegetables while the implants fuse with the bone. After your final bridge is placed, most people can eat steak, apples and salads again.
Caring for a fixed full-arch bridge is simple but important. Brush twice a day, clean under the bridge with a water flosser or special floss, and keep your regular professional cleanings. Implants cannot get cavities, but the gums around them can become inflamed if plaque builds up. We check your implants and bridge at every maintenance visit and professionally clean around them.
All-on-X Implants in Aventura, Hallandale Beach and Pembroke Pines
Consultations and follow-up care are available at all three of our South Florida offices. Learn more about dental implants in Aventura, Hallandale Beach, and Pembroke Pines, or call the office closest to you: Aventura (305) 935-4991, Hallandale Beach (954) 455-3434, Pembroke Pines (954) 392-1635. Nervous about surgery? Ask about sedation and sleep dentistry.
Frequently Asked Questions About All-on-X Implants
Is All-on-4 the same as All-on-X?
All-on-4 is one type of All-on-X. It uses four implants per arch. All-on-X covers any number, so the plan can use more implants when your bone or bite needs extra support.
Can I really get teeth in one day?
In many cases, yes. If the implants are stable at surgery, a temporary fixed bridge is attached the same day. Your permanent bridge follows a few months later, after healing.
Does full-arch implant surgery hurt?
You are numb during surgery, and sedation is available so you can stay deeply relaxed. Afterward, most patients describe soreness and swelling for a few days rather than sharp pain.
How long do All-on-X implants last?
The implants themselves can last for decades with good care and regular check-ups. The bridge may eventually need repair or replacement because of normal wear. Not smoking and keeping up with cleanings make the biggest difference.
Can I get All-on-X if I have worn dentures for years?
Often, yes. Long-term denture wear usually causes bone loss, so a 3D scan is essential. Tilted implants, grafting, or a sinus lift can make treatment possible for many patients who were told they were not candidates.
Will my new teeth look natural?
Your bridge is designed around your face, lips, and smile line using Digital Smile Design, then made with CAD/CAM technology. The goal is teeth that look like yours, only healthier.
Take the First Step Toward a Fixed Smile
If you are tired of failing teeth or a loose denture, a consultation will tell you exactly where you stand. We review your 3D scan with you, explain every option, and give you a clear plan and fee. Schedule a free implant consultation or request a dental consult at the office nearest you.