All-on-X Dental Implants Bellingham
Regain the Function & Beauty of Your Smile
All-on-X is just one of the many advanced dental techniques we’ve invested in to improve the range of available procedures. Unlike traditional implant dentures, this innovative treatment method allows us to offer dental implant restorations to a greater number of patients in less time (often taking just one appointment from start to finish). Contact our team to find out more or schedule a consultation for All-on-X dental implants in Bellingham at Young Dental.
Why Choose Young Dental for All-on-X?
- Completely Rebuild Your Smile in One Visit
- Catered, Personalized, Treatment Planning
- All Phases of the Process Orchestrated & Performed by One Office.
- General Anesthesia Performed by Dr. Pfeiffer, Who Has a 10+ Year History Working with Young Dental on These Cases
How Do All-on-X Dental Implants Work?
The All-on-X treatment process is completed in two phases, much like the traditional implant denture procedure. During the initial phase, dental implants are surgically positioned below the gum line. However, this surgical implant placement is where the All-on-X denture system differs. In traditional implant placement, dental implants are surgically placed at strategic points along the gum line to support all areas of the denture. All-on-X harnesses the natural density at the front of the jawbone to support the entire prosthetic. As the name suggests, most patients require just four dental implants to complete this procedure. Two of the implant posts are placed vertically into the jawbone to anchor the front part of the denture, and two dental implants are angled from the back of the jaw to fuse with the front part of the jaw. This provides optimal stability for the entire prosthetic without the need for advanced preparatory procedures like bone or soft tissue grafting.
Good Candidates for All-on-X Dental Implants
Any patient in need of a full denture, and patients who are unhappy with the comfort or stability of their existing traditional denture, may want to consider the unique All-on-X dental implant treatment. This process specifically offers an ideal solution to improve the success of dental implant placement and restoration for patients who may not otherwise be ideal candidates for the traditional dental implant procedure. That includes patients who have significantly diminished bone density and those who may not have otherwise had enough jawbone structure to undergo placement surgery.
The Benefits of All-on-X Dental Implants
There are numerous benefits to All-on-X dentures compared to removable and traditional implant dentures. Some of the most common benefits of All-on-X include:
- Increased denture stability, increased quality of life!
- Chewing strength increased by up to 70%
- Improved comfort during and after dental implant placement
- Ability to place dental implants to support a full denture without bone or soft tissue grafts
All-on-X vs. Traditional Implant Dentures
All-on-X dentures work identically to traditional implant dentures, except they’re more commonly recommended for patients who have been missing teeth for a while and have suffered from jawbone deterioration. Over time, as the jawbone isn’t being stimulated by tooth roots, it will erode. For patients who don’t have a dense enough jawbone but want to get dental implants in Bellingham, they may require a bone graft procedure before they’re able to undergo implant placement surgery. The All-on-X procedure reduces the chances that patients with jawbone erosion will need a bone graft by placing the implants in the thickest parts of the jawbone so they can successfully integrate with it. This dramatically cuts down the treatment time so patients can enjoy their new smiles sooner.
Advanced Dental Technology Used for All-on-X
Your implant dentist in Bellingham will need to have a special type of X-ray performed to determine your bone density before your surgery. A state-of-the-art cone beam CT is used for this process.
For most treatments, digital X-rays that capture just a small area of the smile are more than adequate in the diagnosis and treatment planning process. However, for procedures like dental implant placement and root canal treatment, a complete view of the smile is necessary. That’s where the state-of-the-art cone beam CT scanner comes in. We use these 3D scans of the entire smile to create a more complete and accurate diagnosis and treatment plan that repairs the full form and function of the mouth.
Digital images from the CT/Cone Beam Scanner are viewable on chairside computer monitors just like intraoral photos and digital X-rays. We’re able to show patients a clear, panoramic view of their full smile as well as surrounding supportive oral and facial structures. In addition to utilizing these images in creating precise treatment plans, 3D images also allow patients to have a better understanding of their oral health conditions and potential treatments.
All-On-X
FAQs
How Is All-On-X Different from Traditional Dental Implants?
The main difference between traditional and All-on-X dental implants is the number of metal posts used. For the latter, the procedure is specifically designed to use four implants per arch to replace all of your missing teeth. On the other hand, traditional ones may utilize around five to eight metal posts on the upper or lower arch. Additionally, some patients may require bone grafting for traditional implants to ensure their restorations are supported, whereas the majority of All-on-X patients won’t need it for the process to be successful. In this sense, All-on-X can save you more time and cost when compared to the traditional treatment.
How Painful Is the All-On-X Procedure?
Similar to our other oral procedures, our team will first completely numb your mouth with a local anesthetic so that you remain comfortable and pain-free throughout your appointment. We’ll likely also provide you with sedation dentistry (specifically General Anesthesia provided by Dr. Pfeiffer) to both calm your nerves and further reduce your ability to register pain. The sedative will be so strong that you may not even remember your procedure. Our team will make sure that you’re entirely comfortable from start to finish for a more pleasant experience.
How Long Is the All-on-X Recovery Period?
Once you’ve completed your procedure, you’ll have to wait for your dental implants to bond properly with your jawbone via osseointegration. For traditional implants, the healing period can go anywhere from three to four months. However, the recovery process for All-on-X doesn’t always take as much time. Some patients are even able to eat solid foods on the same day as their procedure. Of course, this will mostly depend on your oral health and aftercare measures. For this reason, you should follow your dentist’s post-op instructions so that you can ensure a smooth and quick recovery!
Will All-On-X Look Like My Natural Teeth?
Part of your initial consultation will involve assessing your smile and taking incredibly precise impressions so that your final results will fit your specific mouth. With our advanced technology and techniques, you should expect to receive brand-new, durable, long-lasting, and natural-looking pearly whites that won’t be noticeable to others. Over time, your All-on-X implants should begin to feel like your normal teeth as well, since you’ll be free to eat all your favorite meals again.