Losing a number of teeth, suffering from a number of failing teeth, or being tired of a removable denture can influence so much more than how you smile. It can change how you chew, how you talk, how you engage with others, and how you feel every day. At Prostho Endo Dental Group, All-On-X full-arch dental implants are an option for people who need a stable, strong, custom-made full-arch to replace an entire upper or lower arch of teeth. Our comprehensive team offers prosthodontic expertise, digital imaging, digital treatment planning, and an in-house dental laboratory to coordinate your full-arch implant treatment, even for the most complex restorative needs, in North Bethesda, MD.
All-Inclusive Full-Arch Treatment
Removable dental appliances like dentures can be used to replace a set of missing teeth, but many patients report that they do not offer the comfort, stability, and confidence that they want in the long run. The appliance may slip as they are eating, may cause some discomfort, they may find it difficult to select certain foods, and they may use glue to keep the removable appliance in place. All-On-X dental implants offer a different option where an entire arch of full-arch replacement teeth is securely attached to a series of dental implants.
A dental restoration that is permanently fixed in the jaw can offer the security and stability that a removable dental denture cannot. Since the teeth are secured to a restoration that is held in place by the jaw rather than a soft tissue surface, they are much more comfortable and stable, especially when eating. The intent is that a restoration will not only look like and be made to look exactly like your natural smile, but will also feel very comfortable and stable.
Restoring A Smile
All-inclusive full-arch treatment can provide support for an entire set of teeth with only a series of dental implants. Rather than placing an implant into the bone at the site where a natural tooth was lost, a series of implants can be placed to anchor an arch of full-arch dental implants. The implants are placed in a series of strategic locations in order to support an entire dental prosthesis.
The number and placement of implants will be determined by your individual treatment, including your bone and jaw structure, the forces that your natural teeth normally handle, your general oral health, and the plan for your dental implants. If you are a candidate for All-inclusive full-arch treatment, you are likely a patient who has lost a number of teeth that can no longer be saved due to disease or damage, or whose teeth are loose, missing, or in very poor condition, or who has a dental denture that is constantly coming loose.
Your remaining teeth will likely have to be removed before the placement of the series of dental implants, and then your temporary dental prosthesis will be placed, depending upon the timing of your all-inclusive full-arch treatment. The treatment will be individualized and determined for each patient, as the dental team must assess each individual patient and treatment plan to provide the best outcome and longest-lasting result.
Treatment Planning For Full-Arch Treatment
Treatment planning for all-inclusive full-arch dental implants requires a more comprehensive approach than simply placing dental implants or attaching teeth in the mouth. It is a comprehensive plan that includes a thorough assessment of facial structure, occlusal and jaw relationships, jaw health and anatomy, tooth position and appearance, and your speech and smile. At Prostho Endo Dental Group, we complete an initial treatment assessment and a full clinical evaluation so that we can better understand your needs and goals in order to provide you with the best results and outcomes.
We use digital images, x-rays, photos, digital scans, and facial analysis to understand the foundation of your smile before we begin to create your treatment plan. The treatment plan includes the placement of your dental implants, the dental restoration that will provide your teeth, your occlusion and bite plan, and the shape of your teeth. With our team of specialists who are trained to manage full-arch implant treatment and to provide comprehensive, full-arch dental care, all-inclusive full-arch patients are able to benefit from coordinated, comprehensive care and treatment planning.
Improving Confidence, Function & Quality Of Life
For many people, losing teeth makes a difference in everything. Patients may find themselves not being able to eat, being more cautious when they speak, smiling less, or being more self-conscious around others. All-inclusive full-arch dental implants are intended to do more than simply replace the appearance of teeth. Our intent is to allow you to experience a greater sense of comfort and confidence in the quality of life that you live.
With your full-arch restoration, which can be more comfortable and more stable, you may find yourself eating better, speaking better, and smiling better, as well. The restoration is tailored specifically to the patient’s face shape, lip support, bite, and appearance. For a patient who has had to adjust to failing teeth or loose dentures for many years, the transition is more than just cosmetic—it’s functional, emotional, and a change that truly impacts their quality of life.
Digital Workflows For Precision Results
Digital technology has played an integral part in how Prostho Endo Dental Group plans and delivers All-On-X treatment. Using digital workflows, our team can collect detailed information, communicate more clearly, and develop restorations with added precision. Using our scanners, photographs, images, and smile design services, we are able to develop a treatment plan that is not only clinically accurate but aesthetically planned as well. Digital tools also support patients in better understanding the treatment process.
We can use our images and planning tools to demonstrate to the patient what we are seeing and help explain why recommendations are being made, as opposed to relying solely on verbal explanation. This supports our philosophy of providing our patients with a transparent and educational experience.
Custom Prosthetics Made In-House
One benefit of undergoing All-On-X treatment at Prostho Endo Dental Group is access to our in-house dental laboratory. The creation of full-arch implants takes meticulous attention to the prosthetic’s shape, color, contour, bite, fit, and function. Because of this, our laboratory is housed in our practice, so there is a direct connection between the clinical team and the technicians creating these prostheses.
In-house labs provide our team with the ability to streamline the process, improve communication between the doctors and the laboratory technicians, and maintain quality and accuracy. Changes can be more efficiently reviewed; details are considered and incorporated into the designs while the prosthesis is created. The end result is a prosthetic that has a better chance of achieving the highest degree of both function and esthetics in the most efficient manner.
Because full-arch implant care relies on the prosthetics for so many factors, including the look, feel, and functionality of the patient’s smile, we take extra care in how each case is designed and built.
What To Expect During Treatment
The first step in the All-On-X process is an initial consultation and full evaluation. The evaluation allows the team to take a close look at the health of the mouth and jaw, bone structure, medical history, teeth or current dentures, and discuss the patient’s goals. A treatment plan is developed, which will detail the next steps, expected timelines, cost, and the expected stages of treatment. Treatment may include any of the following, depending on the patient:
- Extraction of any remaining teeth in need of extraction
- Placement of dental implants in the planned positions
- Delivery of a temporary full-arch prosthesis while the implants heal
- Monitoring the healing of implant integration
- Design and delivery of a final prosthetic
A temporary restoration is used so that the patient leaves with teeth at the time of surgery, if clinically appropriate. Once healed and the implants are ready to receive the permanent prostheses, the prosthesis is created and delivered to improve fit, function, and appearance. Our Patient Care Coordinator and clinical team will help walk the patient through the entire process, making sure the patient knows what to expect and feels like their care is organized.
Long-Term Care For Full-Arch Restorations
Full-arch dental implants are intended to function permanently. However, even though these teeth can not become decayed, they still require maintenance. Just like a natural dentition, the health of the implants, gums, and biting surfaces all need to be professionally cleaned and checked regularly by the dental team.
Regular maintenance visits allow our team to monitor the condition of the restoration and tissue health, clean around the prosthetic and implants, check the bite, and monitor the fit of the prosthesis. Our team also educates the patient at home on how to care for their own restorations to maintain the best level of hygiene possible using the appropriate tools and methods for the case.
Ongoing maintenance ensures the restoration stays in good condition and continues to function for years to come. For North Bethesda, MD, patients seeking a customized, stable solution for full-arch dental implant placement, Prostho Endo Dental Group provides advanced planning, specialized care, and laboratory support in one facility.