All-on-4 is a clever name for a full-arch dental implant treatment. Essentially, “all” the teeth in an upper or lower jaw are replaced with four dental implants to support a fixed bridge. For some patients, though, four traditional implants may not be the best fit. Some worry about the cost, while others have been told they do not have enough bone for treatment or feel apprehensive about more invasive implant surgery. At Sunshine Dental in Albuquerque, NM, we offer one of the more common All-on-4 alternatives: Fix-on-Six®.
The Fix-on-Six system uses mini dental implants, which offer many of the same benefits as traditional implants but with a smaller diameter and less invasive placement process. For patients exploring their options for full-arch tooth replacement, those differences offer another way to achieve a stable, fixed smile.
All-on-4 Alternatives in Albuquerque, NM
Among All-on-4 alternatives, Fix-on-Six® addresses several of the concerns that can make traditional full-arch implant treatment difficult for some patients. Fix-on-Six is a full-arch dental restoration that uses six to ten mini dental implants to support a roundhouse bridge.
Mini dental implants are roughly half the width of a traditional dental implant. Their smaller size changes both how Dr. Jaime places them and how much bone they require. To place a mini implant, Dr. Jaime creates a small pilot hole through the gum and into the underlying bone before positioning the implant. Traditional implant placement generally requires a more involved surgical process and a longer healing period.
The difference in size becomes particularly important for patients who have experienced bone loss. Traditional implants require sufficient bone volume for support. When bone volume is limited, some patients require bone grafting before implant placement. Others may not qualify for treatment at all. Mini implants require less bone because of their narrower diameter, which means they can often be placed without bone grafting.
Avoiding grafting and other preparatory procedures can reduce the number of treatment steps. Additionally, a less invasive placement process can further reduce overall costs. As a result, Fix-on-Six may cost less than All-on-4.
Are There Other All-on-4 Alternatives?
Fix-on-Six is one alternative to All-on-4, but it is not the only way we can use mini implants to support a full arch of replacement teeth. At Sunshine Dental, we can vary how the restoration attaches to the implants depending on the level of stability and removability you prefer.
Fix-on-Six is a semi-removable system. Once Dr. Jaime secures the roundhouse bridge to the mini implants, you do not take it out yourself. You brush and clean around the bridge while it remains in place. During routine checkups, however, Dr. Jaime can remove the bridge to thoroughly clean it and examine the dental implants and surrounding tissues.
For patients who prefer a restoration that does not come out, we can also cement a roundhouse bridge in place. This option requires more mini implants for support, and the restoration remains permanently attached.
A removable implant denture is another alternative for patients who aren’t quite ready for a semi-removable or other fixed restoration. An overdenture, also known as a snap-on denture, is similar to a traditional denture in one respect: you can remove it yourself for cleaning. The major difference is that the denture is secured with mini dental implants. This denture does not rely on adhesives for retention. Instead, you snap the denture onto mini implants that are anchored in the jawbone.
These options create a range of possibilities between a traditional removable denture and a permanently cemented full-arch restoration. The question is no longer limited to whether or not All-on-4 will work for you.
Explore Mini Dental Implants for Full-Arch Replacement
Being told that All-on-4 may not work for you can sound like the end of the road for fixed replacement teeth. It doesn’t have to be. Mini dental implants give Dr. Jaime more ways to approach full-arch tooth replacement, including removable, semi-removable, and permanently cemented restorations.
At Sunshine Dental, we can look at what has made you hesitate about treatment, whether that is bone loss, cost, surgery, or how you want your new teeth to function day-to-day. Book a free consultation at Sunshine Dental in Albuquerque, NM, to explore your All-on-4 alternatives
