How to Know When You Need All-on-X Dental Implants

All-on-X dental implants act as replacement teeth. With only four implants to support upper and lower teeth, it is an excellent option for patients.

Ideal Candidates

All-on-X (or All-on-4) dental implants replace full arches of missing teeth. The design includes dentures, which are supported by dental implants.

Usually, your Cicero dentist will strategically place four to six implants in your upper or lower jaw. They'll affix a bridge to the implants. 

All-on-4 dental implants provide patients with stability. They can restore the appearance of your smile and the functionality of your teeth. 

To determine if you're an ideal candidate for treatment, visit your dentist in Cicero, IL. They may recommend an alternative restoration procedure if you're not an ideal candidate. Here are a few signs dental implants are right for you. 

Missing Teeth

All-on-X dental implant procedures are ideal for patients who are missing all or a significant number of teeth along their dental ridge. This procedure is also ideal if replacing your missing teeth with traditional dental implants isn't ideal. 

Severe tooth loss impacts your ability to eat meat, fruits, and vegetables, potentially leading to nutritional issues. Unfortunately, over 25% of adults ages 65 and up have eight or fewer teeth. Another 17% of adults 65 and older have lost all of their teeth.

Missing teeth can affect your ability to bite, chew, and speak. If you're struggling to bite and chew hard foods, it could affect your digestive health. You could experience stomach problems as your system works twice as hard to break food chunks down.

If you're missing teeth, you may also feel self-conscious about your appearance and smile. Your jawbone will lack stimulation, which could lead to bone deterioration.

As your jawbone deteriorates, wrinkles can form. Your cheeks may start to sink inward.

Chances in your appearance could cause you to hide your smile. You may stop socializing, which can affect your mood and quality of life.

Before that happens, talk to your Cicero dentist to discuss your treatment options. 

Bone Loss is a Barrier

When a tooth is absent for a prolonged period, your jawbone will begin shrinking away. You may start experiencing significant bone loss. If bone loss has already occurred, your dentist may recommend a bone graft before implant surgery.

All-on-X surgery is ideal for patients who have sufficient jawbone structure. Otherwise, your jawbone won't support the bridge between your anchoring implants.

Your Cicero dentist will need to determine if you have significant bone volume. If you don't, they may recommend another treatment option. 

No Oral Diseases

During your consultation appointment, your Cicero dentist will assess your oral health. They may recommend treatment for tooth decay or gum disease before your all-on-X surgery.

Oral disease won't disqualify you from treatment. However, it may lead your dentist to recommend an alternative treatment option. 

By age 17, about 7% of people in the US have lost at least one permanent tooth due to decay. About 70% of adults between the ages of 25 and 44 have lost at least one permanent tooth. It's no wonder that three million people in the US currently have dental implants.

The number is also growing rapidly every year. Implant dentistry now has among the highest success rates of any medical procedure. Any patient who lost one or more teeth due to disease or tooth decay is a candidate for treatment. 

After your All-on-X surgery, prioritize your oral health. Maintaining a healthy smile can help extend the lifespan of your implant. 

Non-smokers

The best candidates for All-on-X dental implant procedures are non-smokers. Smoking could increase your implant failure rate.

If you already smoke, cease smoking for a few months before your surgery and throughout the healing process. 

Denture Wearers

All-on-X implants are ideal for patients who currently wear dentures. Dentures can shift as you talk and cause discomfort. All-on-X implants, on the other hand, don't shift.

After receiving your implants, you can chew, smile, and speak as you normally would. Your new implants can improve your daily life and self-confidence. 

The Benefits

Before scheduling your All-on-X surgery, talk to your Cicero dentists about the pros and cons of this procedure. Many of these benefits relate to your oral and overall health. For example, All-on-X dental implants:

• Are easy to care for
• Have a high success rate
• Are affordable
• Minimize bone loss
• Require less surgery than alternatives
• Improve your self-confidence
• Improve your bite (and nutrition)
• Enhance your appearance
• Don't require messy adhesives
• Don't require fitting sessions
• Won't slip



These implants are a long-lasting, reliable solution for permanent tooth replacement. The investment can improve your quality of life, making it a worthwhile investment.

The Procedure

Once your dentist determines you're an ideal candidate for all-on-X implants, they'll walk you through the procedure process. Ask any questions you have during your consultation appointment. 

First, your dentist will evaluate your oral health, bone density, and medical history. They may use digital imaging and computer-guided surgery to plan your procedure.

On the day of your All-on-X surgery, you may go under local or oral sedation. Sedation dentistry ensures you have a comfortable experience during the procedure.

Your Cicero dentist will place the dental implants strategically into your jawbone. Two or more implants will be placed vertically at the front of the arch. Two or more may be angulated toward the back.

This configuration will eliminate the need for bone grafting and maximize bone support.



Once your implants are secure, your dentist will attach a temporary set of prosthetic teeth. Osseointegration will occur over the next few months as your implants fuse with your jawbone. Once you heal, your dentist will place your permanent dental arch to restore your smile. 

Consider All-on-X Dental Implants

You don't have to struggle to function with missing teeth. Instead, talk to your Cicero dentist about All-on-X dental implants. Treatment can restore your smile and quality of life. 



Our dentists at Central Dental Associates have decades of experience. We're dedicated to providing consistently excellent care to the community. Contact us now to schedule your consultation appointment.