For patients with extensive tooth loss or a failing dentition, All-on-X is the treatment that restores a complete arch of teeth on a small number of implants — often with fixed provisional teeth placed the same day. It is the cornerstone of this practice’s work, and it is worth understanding properly before you decide.
What are All-on-X implants?
All-on-X describes a technique in which a full arch of replacement teeth is supported by a customized number of dental implants — commonly four or six. The “X” is the number of implants used per arch. Those implants are positioned strategically, often at an angle, to make the most of the bone you actually have. That is why the approach frequently works for patients who have been told they have too little bone for conventional implants.
The part that changes people’s lives is the immediate function. In most cases the implants and a fixed provisional restoration are placed on the same day, so you leave with a full set of teeth rather than a gap or a removable temporary.
One thing to be clear about: what is fitted on surgery day is a fixed provisional. It is screwed in — not something you take in and out — but it is not the final restoration. Your permanent, custom-crafted prosthesis is made and fitted after your implants have healed and integrated with the bone, over the following months. Anyone who tells you the same-day teeth are the finished result is misleading you.
Why patients choose it
- Immediate function. You leave the office the same day with fixed, functional teeth.
- Fewer implants than a tooth-by-tooth approach. A complete arch is carried on a customized number of implants rather than one per tooth.
- Often avoids extensive grafting. Angled placement into denser bone frequently removes the need for major bone grafting.
- A fixed result. No adhesive, no plate covering the palate, no removing anything at night.
All-on-4 or All-on-6?
Both refer to the same underlying technique with a different implant count.
Four implants per arch suits many patients with moderate bone loss and keeps surgery shorter and simpler.
Six implants per arch adds two more support points, which distributes bite force more widely. It tends to be the choice where bite forces are high, where grinding is a factor, or where the available bone supports it.
Which is right is a clinical decision based on your bone density, jaw anatomy and functional needs — it is not a menu choice, and it is made after a 3D scan. Our side-by-side comparison of All-on-4 and All-on-6 goes into more detail.
What the treatment looks like
- Consultation and 3D imaging. A CBCT scan and full evaluation of your oral condition, with the new arch planned digitally before any surgery happens.
- Surgery. Any remaining teeth in the arch are removed if necessary, the implants are placed according to the digital plan, and abutments are attached. Typically performed under IV sedation.
- Same-day fixed provisional. A fixed provisional arch is fitted, so you leave with teeth.
- Healing and integration. Roughly three to six months while the implants fuse with the jawbone and you wear the provisional.
- Final restoration. Once integration is complete, the provisional is replaced with your definitive, custom-made prosthesis.
Is All-on-X right for you?
It is worth exploring if you:
- have multiple missing or failing teeth in an arch
- currently wear removable dentures and want a fixed solution instead
- have been told you lack adequate bone for conventional implants
- want to avoid a long sequence of separate surgeries
- want a fixed, natural-looking result rather than something removable
The only way to know is an examination and a scan. If full-arch treatment is not the right answer for your case, we will tell you what is — see the full-arch treatment page for how the process runs here.