Can All-on-X Implants Really Solve the Problem?

Lee Jang-wook, Chief Director

Hello.

A place that does its best

for a healthy smile

This is Etoile de Seoul Dental Clinic.

These days, many people come to us with the concern, “What should I do if I’ve lost almost all of my teeth?” In particular, when I see patients who have used dentures for a long time and finally visit because they can no longer tolerate the discomfort, or those who hesitate because the cost of full-mouth implants feels too burdensome, I can’t help but feel heavy-hearted as well.

Today, I’d like to talk in detail about a treatment called All-on-X implants for those of you who have these concerns. I hope this article can help ease your worries even a little and give you the courage to smile confidently again.

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Can All-on-X Implants Really Solve the Problem?

I still remember a patient I met in the clinic recently. She was in her mid-60s, and her expression was very dark from the moment she opened the clinic door and walked in. As soon as she sat down, she asked, “Doctor, am I really out of options now?”

When I asked in detail, she said she had been using dentures for more than 10 years, but they kept becoming loose and her gums hurt every time she chewed. So she had looked into full-mouth implants, but the cost was too burdensome, and she was also worried about having to visit the hospital many times. On top of that, because she was older and not as mobile as before, the treatment period itself felt frightening.

After examining her mouth, I saw that the jawbone had been resorbed a great deal after such a long period of denture use. The patient asked anxiously, “Doctor, I heard I barely have any jawbone left. Is an implant still possible?” At that moment, I could see both desperation and resignation in her eyes. She must have heard many times at other clinics that it would be difficult because there wasn’t enough bone.

But I told her, “Don’t worry. There is a method called All-on-X implants. Even if a lot of jawbone is missing, treatment is still possible, and the cost is much more economical than full-mouth implants. Also, teeth can be placed on the day of surgery, so you can return to daily life right away.” Then I could see a little hope appear in her eyes. “Really? There’s a method like that?” As she said that, her expression gradually brightened.

What exactly are All-on-X implants?

All-on-X implants are also called full-arch implants. Simply put, they are a treatment method that restores all the teeth in the upper or lower jaw with just 4 to 6 implants. With regular implants, one implant has to be placed for each tooth, right? But All-on-X implants work by placing a few implants at specific angles and positions, then fixing a full set of tooth-shaped prosthetics on top of them.

In All-on-X implants, several implants act as supporting pillars, and a prosthetic restoration that recreates the full set of teeth is placed on top. This allows the function of the entire dentition to be restored sufficiently with only a small number of implants. When I explained it this way to the patient, she immediately understood and said, “Ah, so that’s why the cost goes down?” That’s right. Because All-on-X implants use only 4 to 6 implants, they are much more economical than replacing an entire jaw with individual implants. In addition, the surgical area is smaller, so surgery time is shorter, pain is less, and recovery is faster.

But then the patient asked worriedly, “But Doctor, I really don’t have much jawbone left. Is it still possible? Another clinic said I’d need bone grafting...” That’s exactly the part many people are most curious about: whether All-on-X implants are possible even when there isn’t enough jawbone.

Why All-on-X implants are possible even without jawbone

Here, I think I should explain the core principle of All-on-X implants. Regular implants are placed vertically into the area where the tooth used to be. So that area needs to have enough bone. But All-on-X implants take a different approach. They find the areas where enough jawbone still remains and place the implants there at special angles.

While showing the patient the CT images, I explained, “Look here. This area has undergone a lot of bone resorption, but this side still has strong bone remaining. We use exactly this area and place the implants at an angle. Then we can secure the implants sufficiently without bone grafting.” The patient pointed at the CT image and seemed to gradually understand as she said, “Ah, you mean this part?”

This is possible thanks to a 3D navigation system. In the past, surgery was performed based only on the doctor’s experience and intuition, but now we can analyze the patient’s jawbone structure in three dimensions using a computer and plan in advance where and at what angle the implants should be placed for the safest and most effective result. It’s similar to how an architect draws a detailed blueprint before building a structure.

The patient asked again, “But Doctor, if you place them at an angle, won’t they be weaker?” That’s a good question. In fact, this is the scientific principle behind All-on-X implants. When implants are placed at a special angle, the force is distributed better. Because the force applied while chewing is spread evenly across the implants, it is actually more stable.

Who are All-on-X implants suitable for?

So far, I’ve explained All-on-X implants in detail through this patient’s case. To summarize, they are suitable for the following people. First, those who have used dentures for a long time and have almost no teeth left. In particular, people whose dentures keep coming loose or falling out and cause discomfort. Second, those who find full-mouth implants too financially burdensome. Since All-on-X implants use only 4 to 6 implants, they are more economical.

Third, those who have difficulty visiting the clinic multiple times. They are a good option for people who have trouble moving around or finding time. With All-on-X implants, temporary prosthetics are placed on the day of surgery, and the final prosthetics are completed within about 30 days, so the treatment period is short. Fourth, those who are older and feel burdened by long-term treatment. Even older patients can usually undergo the procedure if their overall health is acceptable.

Fifth, those whose jawbone has been severely resorbed. Even people who have been told that regular implants would be difficult can often still receive All-on-X implants. Because the procedure uses a 3D navigation system to find the strongest remaining bone and place the implants at special angles, it often can be done without bone grafting.

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Everyone, All-on-X implants are truly a highly advanced procedure. They require an accurate diagnosis, detailed planning, and extensive clinical experience. That is why, in fact, there are not many places that perform the surgery. But if you meet the right medical team, even those who had given up on treatment can find hope again.

It is natural to feel afraid when facing dental treatment, especially surgery such as implants. You worry about pain, the cost feels burdensome, and above all, there is the anxiety of “Will it work?” But do not give up on treatment because you are older, because you have little jawbone, or because the cost feels too high.

There are treatment options like All-on-X implants.

Most importantly, what matters is an accurate diagnosis and a treatment plan tailored to your condition. If you have any questions, please feel free to come in for a consultation anytime, hear about the various options, and make a careful decision.

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