Full-Arch Treatment Options

Option 1

Removable Dentures

Advantages:

  • Relatively inexpensive tooth and gum replacement
  • Lip support
  • Easy to remove and clean

Disadvantages:

  • Approximately 10% functionality compared to natural teeth
  • Uncomfortable — may cause sore spots on gum tissue
  • Difficult to eat certain foods
  • Accelerated bone loss
  • Often requires relining to improve fit and comfort as bone deteriorates
  • Difficult to speak as the denture may move
  • May require creams or adhesives to reduce mobility of denture

Option 2

Implant-Over-Dentures

Advantages:

  • Improves stability and functionality to 60% compared to natural teeth
  • Relatively inexpensive tooth and gingival replacement
  • Provides lip support
  • Easy to clean outside of mouth

Disadvantages:

  • Uncomfortable — may cause sore spots on gum tissue
  • Remove and clean denture outside of mouth
  • May still move when chewing or speaking
  • Accelerated bone loss
  • May require relining to improve fit and comfort as bone deteriorates
  • Surgical procedure

Option 3

All-on-4®

Advantages:

  • Improves functionality to over 90% compared to natural teeth
  • Eliminates need for bone grafting
  • Usually provided a fixed provisional bridge the day of surgery
  • Preserves bone and soft tissue
  • Natural-looking aesthetics
  • Allows you to eat the foods you want
  • Able to clean fixed implant bridge like natural teeth
  • Total time (healing and permanent restorative: 3–4 months)

Disadvantages:

  • Surgical procedure

Option 4

Traditional 6–8 Implant

Advantages:

  • Preserves bone and soft tissue
  • Improves functionality to 90% compared to natural teeth
  • Able to clean ?xed implant bridge like natural teeth

Disadvantages:

  • Multiple surgeries
  • Time (healing and restorative: 1 year+)
  • No immediate prosthesis day of surgery
  • Cost