Breaking Down All-On-X Implants

Dental implants are the best thing to happen to missing teeth since the invention of dentures. In the earliest days of dental implants, a single implant would replace only one missing tooth – people who were missing all the teeth on their upper or lower jaw had to choose between traditional dentures or getting one implant per tooth. Today, dentists can replace the entire arch of teeth on a patient’s upper or lower jaw with just a few dental implants, in a procedure known as All-on-X or implant-supported dentures.

About Dental Implants

A tooth has two main parts: the crown, which is the white part that appears above the gum line, and the root that holds it in the jaw. When you lose a whole tooth, you end up losing both the crown and the roots. If you break the crown off a tooth below the gum line, your dentist may recommend removing the remaining crown and roots. 

A dental implant is a screw-shaped metal post, usually made from titanium or another strong metal. Technically, a dental implant replaces just the root – your dentist will create an artificial crown and affix it to the implant at a later date. Your dentist implants the metal post into your jaw. In a process known as osseointegration, the tissue in your jawbone permanently bonds with the implant to create a sturdy anchor for the dental crown. 

The All-on-X Procedure

Getting All-on-X starts with an evaluation with our Lewis Center dentist, who helps you determine if All-on-X is right for you. We’ll create a personalized treatment plan that includes the number of implants required, the position of the implants, and the design of the final restoration.

On the day of the procedure, we’ll administer a local anesthetic to numb the treatment area; we may suggest dental sedation to make you more comfortable. We’ll then create access to the areas of the jaw where we’ll place the implants.   

Osseointegration can take several months to complete. After your jaw has healed, which takes about 4 to 6 months, you will receive your permanent replacement teeth that your dentist will attach to your implants.

Caring for your All-on-X is easy – simply brush and floss as normal. Immediately after the procedure, stick with soft foods. Once your jaw has healed, you can eat and drink normally.

Who Invented All-on-4 Dental Implants?

Swedish professor Per-Ingvar Brånemar discovered osseointegration in the 1950s and performed the first dental implant procedure with titanium in 1965. In the decades since, dentists have built upon Brånemar’s discovery and procedure to create today’s dental implants. 

By the 1990s, Professor Paulo Malo from Portugal was developing a concept in which a full arch of replacement crowns could be fitted on just four dental implants, and the All-on-4 concept was born. Dr. Malo first used an All-on-4 on a patient by 1998. 

What Makes All-on-X Different?

All-on-X is similar to All-on-4, with the major difference being the number of implants used. As its name suggests, just four dental implants hold the entire arch of upper or lower teeth on the All-on-4. The All-on-X implants can use as few as 4 implants and as many as 12. 

The key to All-on-4 or All-on-X implants is the angles at which your dentist places the implants. In traditional dental implants, your dentist places the implant straight down into your jawbone so that it fits in between the roots of your natural teeth. The other tooth roots provide strength and stability to hold the implant in place. 

In comparison, your dentist places some All-on-4 and All-on-X dental implants at an angle, which allows more of the titanium post to sit within the jawbone – and the more jawbone surrounding the metal post, the stronger the implant. 

Where can I find dental implants near me?

For more information on All-on-X dental implants and other types of dental implants in Columbus, consult with Oral Implant and Reconstructive Dentistry (OIRD). We are Central Ohio’s Premier Implant Specialists and can help you get the smile you’ve always dreamed off after losing most or all of your upper or lower teeth. In addition to dental implants, All-on-4, and All-on-X, we offer bone grafting and other dental services to help you get the most out of your reconstructive dentistry. Make an appointment with OIRD today and begin your journey to All-on-4 and great smile tomorrow.

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