Dental care · 2 min read
Fixed or removable teeth for a full arch?
Compare a fixed implant bridge, a removable implant-retained denture and a conventional denture. Learn what All-on-4 describes.
A full arch is the upper or lower row of teeth. Several designs can replace a whole row. Start by asking what supports the proposed teeth, who can remove them and what reviews each design would involve.
Identify the design for each arch
A fixed implant-supported bridge stays in the mouth for daily use. An implant-retained overdenture can be removed by the wearer and uses attachments to help hold it in place. A conventional full denture is removable and uses no implants. Ask the dentist to identify what is proposed for the upper and lower arch separately.
Ask what All-on-4 means in the written plan
All-on-4, also written All-on-Four, describes an approach in which four implants support a fixed replacement for a full arch. If a provider uses that term, ask the dentist why that design and implant count are proposed for the arch in question. Request an explanation of the alternatives discussed and which decisions depend on an in-person assessment.
Separate the interim teeth from the final design
If the proposal promises teeth during the first trip, ask what would be fitted at that point, whether it would be temporary and what could change the plan. Ask when the final restoration would be assessed and fitted. Note whether those appointments involve further visits and which parts are covered by the written estimate.
Compare practical access and future repairs
Ask the treating dentist to show what daily access for cleaning looks like for each design. Find out which parts, such as removable attachments or a fixed bridge, may need professional review and who could provide it near home. Ask for a written plan for repairs and the information a receiving dentist would need.
Sources and further reading
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals · Implant-supported teeth, dentures and treatment stages
- NHS · Dentures and implant-supported alternatives
- Maló, Rangert and Nobre · Original clinical study describing the All-on-Four concept
- General Dental Council · Questions before dental treatment abroad
Some linked sources are published in other languages.
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