Full Arch Dental Implants: what is it, how it works and how it looks

I’m sure many of you have heard of the Full Arch Dental Implants treatment. But do you know how the treatment works? Fixed Implant-Supported Prosthesis treatment involves two stages, one surgical, with the insertion of dental implants, and the other prosthetic, with the realization of the fixed prosthesis on the implants. It can be carried out on both the upper and lower arches. This treatment is also known as All-on-4, All-on-6 or even All-on-X.

Through simple and painless surgery, implants are inserted that will support a fixed prosthesis. Normally 4 to 6 implants are inserted in each arch. The surgery is carried out in an office and the patient can go home immediately afterwards. There are modalities with local anesthesia, or with intravenous sedation, if the patient prefers.

Here at ImplArt Dental Clinic, located in São Paulo, Brazil, there is also the option of performing dental implant surgery using the computerized guided surgery technique. This technique eliminates the need to make large cuts and sutures in the gums, making the post-operative period for implants easier and therefore faster to recover from. The surgical guide acts as a template with indications of where the incisions should be made to place the dental implants. The surgical guide is custom-made according to the patient’s computerized tomography images, using a 3D printing method.

See images of the Full Arch Dental Implants below

See below for this treatment with an upper Fixed Implant-Supported Prosthesis and a lower Fixed Implant-Supported Prosthesis. Firstly, implant surgery was carried out and a temporary fixed prosthesis installed on the day of surgery. Secondly, after the dental implants had healed, we made the Zirconia Prosthesis a fixed over the implants.

Implant-Supported Fixed Full-Arch Prosthesis, what is it?

The Implant-Supported Fixed Full-Arch Prosthesis is a type of total fixed dental prosthesis that is indicated for people who have lost all their teeth in the same arch. It consists of 12 to 14 teeth attached to a single structure screwed onto 4 to 6 strategically placed dental implants.

A full-arch-dental-implant treatment provides a quick and efficient solution for oral rehabilitation. All-on-X treatment certainly provides surprising aesthetic and functional results that help restore the natural appearance of the smile and consequently improve self-esteem.

How does the full-arch-prosthesis work?

The first step is to schedule an appointment with Dr. Roberto Markarian, who will first carry out a thorough assessment of the patient’s oral and general health and habits.

It will also be necessary to carry out a radiographic examination, which is a computerized tomography scan, to visualize the volume of bone and its quality. This is essential for planning the number of implants that will be placed in the bone, both in the upper and lower arches.

When is Fixed Implant-Supported Prosthesis recommended?

Firstly, fixed Implant-Supported Prosthesis is recommended for patients who wear dentures, and for those who suffer from periodontitis or severe periodontal disease.

It is important that, even if the patient suffers from periodontitis, the disease is controlled by eliminating any sources of infection (plaque, tartar, calculus) and controlling gingivitis.

Thus, if the disease is well controlled and the bone is healthy, there is the possibility of replacing the extracted teeth with dental implants.

It is common for a patient, on receiving a poor prognosis for a tooth, to want to save it at all costs. Although in some cases it is possible to save a tooth with compromised periodontal structures, in most cases an experienced professional will be correct in recommending extraction and placement of a dental implant.

How do you change from dentures to a Fixed Implant-Supported Prosthesis? Full Arch Dental Implants Prothesis

You may be wondering: how do I know if I can have my dentures replaced with implants with a fixed prosthesis?

People who have been wearing dentures for many years can experience a lot of bone loss in the jawbone, and this is a common concern for people who would like to have implants placed in order to wear a fixed prosthesis. Alternatively, we perform various bone grafting techniques, or use short implants designed for those with bone resorption.

Undeniably, it is always a great relief for patients to change their dentures for Fixed Implant-Supported Prosthesis. We, who specialize in this type of full-arch-dental implants treatment, follow the changes in the daily lives of patients every day, who are able to increase their quality of life with this treatment. Therefore, replacing dentures with implants only has benefits!

The difference between a Fixed Implant-Supported Prosthesis and a removable denture

The Fixed Implant-Supported Prosthesis provides stability when chewing and total confidence for the patient, since there is no need to remove it for daily hygiene. Patients report at the end of their treatment that they eat much better and have much more confidence in smiling, which brings great social gains to the patient’s life. It is therefore an important step for patients towards improving their quality of life.

Who can have All-on-X or Full Arch Dental Implants treatment?

Anyone can have a Full Arch Dental Implants treatment. First of all, the patient must have a panoramic X-ray and a computerized tomography scan to assess the bone in the area that will receive the dental implant. Even patients with diabetes, in most cases, can receive implants as long as their diabetes is under control. So don’t be alarmed if you have diabetes, implants could be a solution for you too. Of course, this is after a careful assessment of your health condition.

Fixed Implant-Supported Prosthesis treatment covers a wide range of patients of different ages. Elderly people can also have the procedure. Each case must be evaluated in detail so that the procedure is always safe and promotes the patient’s well-being.

In your initial consultation with our clinical director, Dr. Roberto Markarian, you will receive all the guidelines for your All-on-X treatment.

What are the advantages of the Full Arch Dental Implants?

When the use of a mobile prosthesis causes discomfort, be it functional, aesthetic or sensory, there is the opportunity to replace it with a fixed version. See the advantages of protocol treatment on implants:

• Does not move and does not require adhesives for fixing
• Does not fall, avoiding embarrassing experiences
• The prosthesis materials are more beautiful and resistant, especially metal-free zirconia prostheses.
• Does not hurt gums and mucous membranes
• Safer chewing, smiling and kissing
• Improves diction
• No acrylic roof of the mouth, improving speech and food tasting
• Increases lip support, improving the appearance of a thin lip.

Which material is the Fixed Implant-Supported Prosthesis made of?

Here at Clinica Dentaria Implart you will find a wide range of materials for your prosthesis. From the simplest in Resin, through Metal-Ceramic (Porcelain), to the most modern prosthesis in Zirconia.

Do you know Zirconia, this innovative material for full arch prosthesis? Full Arch Dental implant Prosthesis in Zirconia are possible with this innovative computerized material. It is therefore an excellent choice for those looking for an aesthetically pleasing and durable material. What’s more, its computerized design system offers more precision, as well as greater comfort through the use of the 3D scanner.

Types of materials for All-on-6 prosthesis

Translucent zirconia prosthesis for implant-supported prosthesis

Translucent zirconia is an implant-supported prosthetic option made using an extremely advanced production method. Based on digital intraoral molding, the zirconia prosthesis is computer-designed and manufactured on 3D printers. In other words, the zirconia disc placed in the 3D printer is milled into the shape of the computerized design. This is certainly the most modern and resistant option, as well as the most beautiful and realistic.

Zirconia prosthesis / Pure porcelain (metal free)

It is an opaque white ceramic structure called zirconia, covered with dental porcelain. In this way, the aesthetics are sculpted in porcelain with the shape of the teeth. It is also a new and technologically innovative material, as the structure of the prosthesis is completely planned on a computer and executed with the help of electronic scanners and 3D printers.

Metal-ceramic full arch prosthesis (porcelain + metal)

This is a prosthesis with an internal metal structure (titanium, Ni-Cr or Cr-Co) and an aesthetic porcelain finish that is hand-sculpted to the shape of the teeth. Metal-ceramic prostheses therefore have the advantage of porcelain strength and aesthetics. As a result, the final result is aesthetically and beautifully similar to natural teeth.

Resin Full Arch Prosthesis (acrylic resin + metal)

Also known as the Bränemark prosthesis, this is another option available for implant-supported prosthesis. This model of prosthesis has an internal metal structure and an aesthetic resin finish. The teeth are made of resin and you can choose the color, shape and size of the teeth.

However, this material has a disadvantage compared to the previous ones, which is the possibility of color change (yellowing) over time.

What care should be taken after full arch dental implant surgery?

After dental implant surgery, the total recovery period may vary at the discretion of the implant specialist, with a view to the success of the procedure. Therefore, the implant dentist, Dr. Roberto Markarian, will guide you according to the criteria of the type and extent of the surgery.

How many days of rest after implant surgery?

Total rest period after surgery (rest days after dental implant):

1. Light activities (7 to 10 days): Rest is recommended for light activities during the first week, which can be extended to 10 days.
2. Gradual return to normal activities (up to 3 weeks): The patient is instructed to gradually return to normal activities, which may take up to 3 weeks.

Will I lose my prosthesis after implant surgery?

Rest assured, the main concern of the entire team here at the ImplArt Dental Clinic is to make the whole process as comfortable as possible for the patient. In this way, the psychological aspect and the patient’s well-being are paramount. Therefore, in the vast majority of cases, we plan a temporary prosthesis that is installed immediately after surgery. The patient is therefore able to carry out their activities normally while we wait for the implants to osseointegrate.

New techniques – Zirconia total implants

Zirconia Total Implant: Natural and resistant Implant Supported Prosthesis

Dental implants with zirconia prosthesis are recommended for various clinical cases, such as bruxism, because zirconia’s resistance is superior to any other material. The material is a star in dental practices due to its versatility and the possibility of bringing a better appearance to the mouth, especially after the tooth has been darkened by root canal treatments or dental trauma, with a great loss of dental function and aesthetics. So, if possible, opt for Zirconia!

How to sanitize a zirconia full arch prosthesis?

People who have received fixed prosthesis implants using the branemark should pay special attention to cleaning and oral hygiene in order to avoid problems. These include bad breath and even peri-implantitis (infection around the implant which can lead to mobility or even permanent loss). Therefore, a regular visit to the dentist every 6 months to have the implant supported prosthesis professionally cleaned is essential. Prophylaxis plays a very important role in maintaining oral and implant health!

To clean the fixed implant supported prosthesis at home, the patient can use the interdental brush, in addition to the traditional toothbrush, which is effective and sufficient in the external regions. However, for the areas inside the prosthesis, around the implants or on the mucosa, interdental brushes and oral irrigators (pressurized water jets) are the most suitable. Certainly the best known of these devices is the Waterpik. These devices are certainly not easily found in Brazil, but in the United States they are sold in any pharmacy.

This way, with regular visits to the dentist every 6 months and proper hygiene of the fixed prosthesis at home, you’ll have a long-lasting and healthy treatment!

How to sanitize the fixed prosthesis / cleaning?

Care with the hygiene of the implant supported prosthesis is mainly to remove any food residue that may remain between the implant pins and the prosthesis (as in the image above), and to avoid the formation and accumulation of bacterial plaque on the surface of the prosthesis.

What is the best Full Arch Dental Implant Prosthesis?

Zirconia is the most modern material for dental prosthesis today. Zirconia is an advanced ceramic material, considered super realistic, which has become increasingly well-known in dentistry in recent years, especially for prostheses on dental implants.

It is also called Monolithic Zirconia, because it is made from a solid block of Zirconia that takes the shape of a dental prosthesis using a modern computerized system. The Translucent Zirconia prosthesis is made using 3D printers, a highly technological system. First of all, it’s worth clarifying that zirconia is a type of porcelain that replaces metal in dental treatments, as it offers a more natural and translucent appearance, without the presence of shadows, as happens in prostheses that use metal

In the ImplArt Clinic’s digital prosthesis laboratory, impressive robotic arms, which are present in modern milling equipment, are responsible for sculpting the prosthesis design previously drawn up on the computer. The design is certainly impressive as it uses only computerized systems for both its design and printing

It’s certainly a very modern system, which makes it possible to achieve aesthetically superior results in a more agile, fast and precise way. What’s more, zirconia is biocompatible with the human body, which means that the patient runs no risk of allergies or rejection.

What is the difference between a All-on-X prosthesis and an overdenture?

While in the implant supported prosthesis is fixed on 4 to 6 implants, in the overdenture the prosthesis is fixed on only 2 implants. As a result, the overdenture does not have the same stability as the All-on-X prosthesis. Therefore, the best alternative is the Full Arch Dental Implant Prosthesis.

How much does an upper Full Arch Dental Implant Prothesis cost? How much does a lower Full Arch Dental Implant prosthesis cost?

First of all, it’s important to bear in mind that when it comes to quality dental treatments, the price of the dental implant prosthesis can’t always be the deciding factor in the choice, but rather the quality of the service being offered. It is therefore essential that patients make their choice based on the trust and credibility of the clinic or professional providing the service, as well as the technical knowledge of the professionals, their years of practice and the technique to be used.

Undeniably, not all prosthesis and dental implant treatments are the same, firstly because of the differences in each case, and secondly because each professional has their own practice, technique and theoretical background. That’s why it’s very difficult to choose a professional based on price alone. If it’s too cheap, be wary! High-quality materials and qualified professionals who are in line with modern trends in implant dentistry have their value.

Remember that the effort put into qualification that the professional has put in throughout their career makes a direct difference to the outcome of your treatment! In addition, there are different types of materials, as mentioned above, from implants to different types of prostheses. Just to give you an example, here are the types of materials for implant supported prosthesis – Translucent Zirconia, Zirconia, Metal-Ceramic and Resin. The choice of prosthesis material, as well as the type of implant, will certainly influence the price of the Full Arch Dental Implants prosthesis. In this sense, we have various types of implants, from national implants to imported Straumann implants, a world reference in the field of implants.

Where can I have the Full Arch Dental Implants treatment?

The ImplArt Clinic has been ranked as the best dental implant clinic in Brazil, taking first place in the GCR (Global Clinic Rating) world ranking. The ranking was secured above all by its expertise in Digital Dentistry, Modern Structure and Patient Satisfaction. Our clinical director, implant dentist Dr. Roberto Markarian, is a reference in the field of implants and computerized prosthesis. So, if you want to have your Full Arch prosthesis treatment on implants, with knowledge and high technology, the ImplArt Dental Clinic is the right place for you!

We are located in the Avenida Paulista area of São Paulo, Brazil, in the heart of the metropolis.

If you are far away, in other states or abroad, please contact us to find out more about the online consultation. That way, we’ll be able to plan your Day Clinic treatment and your implant surgery remotely with Dr. Roberto Markarian. Also, if you already have dental implant exams such as CT scans and panoramic X-rays, they can be sent to you before your appointment to make your consultation even more productive!

⭐The ImplArt Clinic is located in São Paulo and welcomes patients from all over the world. If you would like to know more about our treatments, dental implants, ask questions or schedule an appointment 📲WhatsApp (11) 3262-4750.