Dental Implants are one of the most revolutionary advancements in the last few decades: they have given people additional alternatives to conventional dentistry, which can provide healthier, longer-lasting results. Within the field of implant dentistry there is something called Full Arch Dental Implants: it goes by many names such as All-On-Four, All-On-X, Teeth-In-A-Day, and many more. Essentially, compromised teeth are removed, implants placed, and replacement teeth are attached to the implants. Most of the time this can be accomplished within one day!
This is a service we provide on a regular basis for patients who have a need for it. Unfortunately, quite often we see people who have a need, but simply can’t afford it, even with financing. The investment for this service can range between $23,000 & $30,000 per jaw (arch).
Recent advancements in both technology and materials are significantly changing the playing field in the arena of Full Mouth Dental Implants, and one result is decreased cost. We’ve been excited to be able to go back to our patients and let them know about these changes, and many have now been able to afford the dentistry they desperately need.
Traditional All-On-X treatment consists of teeth that are screwed onto the implants. These teeth have also been fabricated from very strong acrylics with an internal metal support or from a “porcelain-like” material known as Zirconia. With the advent of super-strong acrylics we can offer a “long-term” temporary restoration that patients can upgrade in the future to the proper, durable materials, and with the advent of super-strong “snaps” we can temporarily bypass the screws, which again passes on a cost-savings to patients.
These new advents can drop the financial investment to around $14,000 to $21,000 per arch (jaw). This is a significant savings over the standard All-On-X process, and can give a consumer the opportunity to start restoring a debilitated dentition.
I do want to point out that the All-On-X process has been around much longer than this newer system, which is called Locator Fixed. Although the results of Locator Fixed are excellent, there may be issues with it that we simply are not aware of. The reverse could be true, too: it may be just fine, and our current sense of caution may be unnecessary. We simply don’t know. What we do know is that we are able to provide patients with the treatment they are searching for, and as funds accumulate, they could upgrade to the All-On-X if they find it necessary.
It’s important to understand not everyone needs advanced implant procedures, or even basic implant care. It may be appropriate when all remaining teeth require removal, but oftentimes people leave my office after a consultation with a list of other options that help to save their teeth!
We encourage you to view the wealth of information on our website: we perform so many dental implant procedures, including full mouth dental implants, that we’ve dedicated an entire section of both the website and our facility just to the delivery of proper implant care. If you have additional questions, reach out to us for a free consultation, which is also outlined on our website.
About the Author
Dr. Ira Goldberg has been performing implant procedures for 29 years. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology / Implant Dentistry, a Diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. He performs all phases of implant dentistry at his office in Succasunna, NJ. He lectures to dentists in the field of implantology. For a free consultation, including a free 3-D scan (if necessary), please call his office at (973) 328-1225 or visit his website at www.MorrisCountyDentist.com Dr. Goldberg is a general dentist, and also a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry.