“All-on-X” is the umbrella term for replacing a full arch of teeth with a fixed bridge anchored to dental implants. The X stands for the number of implants used to support that arch — commonly four or six, though the right number depends on your bone volume, your bite, and the shape of your jaw. At Breckenridge Dental Care, we restore full arches this way for patients whose teeth are failing and for those who are tired of dentures that move.
Full-arch implant restoration is usually considered when most or all of the teeth in an arch are beyond saving, or when they are already gone. It is also a common next step for people who have worn a removable denture for years and are worn out by the sore spots, the adhesive, and the foods they have quietly given up.
Because the finished bridge is anchored to implants rather than resting on the gums, it does not rock, slip, or need to be taken out at night. Most patients find they can eat and speak with a confidence a removable denture never quite gave them.
The number of implants is a clinical decision, not a menu choice. Fewer implants can work well when bone quality is good and the arch is planned carefully; more implants spread the load further and can be the better answer when there is bone to work with or when the bite puts heavy demand on the restoration.
We will tell you which approach we believe fits your case and explain why, rather than starting from a number and working backwards.
Treatment begins with an examination, imaging, and a conversation about what you want the result to do for you. From there the arch is planned digitally before anything is placed, so the position of each implant is worked out in advance.
A temporary arch is often fitted while the implants integrate with the bone over the following months. Once integration is confirmed, the temporary is replaced with the definitive bridge, which refines the fit, the bite, and the appearance. Where a case calls for a surgical specialist, we coordinate that part of your care and stay involved through the restoration.
Full-arch treatment is a significant investment, and you should not have to guess at the figure. After your consultation you will get a written plan with costs laid out before anything begins. We are happy to look at what your insurance will contribute, and Cherry payment plans can spread the balance over time.
If you are weighing your options for replacing a full arch, call our Louisville office at (502) 451-5222 and we will talk it through with you honestly — including whether this is the right treatment for you at all.
Breckenridge Dental Care is a family dental practice in the Hikes Point neighborhood of Louisville. Drs. Molly Braun and Michelle Moure provide general, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry for patients of every age — and we see dental emergencies promptly. We are currently accepting new patients.
