All-on-X is a fixed full-arch tooth replacement option supported by dental implants. Our team can assess your teeth and oral health, explain the alternatives and discuss whether this approach may be appropriate for you.
Discuss suitability, treatment stages, costs and ongoing care at an individual consultation.
Illustration only. Not a patient photograph or a treatment result.
What is All-on-X?
An arch is the full upper or lower set of teeth. All-on-X replaces one whole arch with a single fixed bridge attached to several dental implants placed in the jawbone.
The X stands for the number of implants used to support that bridge. Four and six are common approaches, but the right number is a clinical decision based on your jaw, the bone available, your bite and the design of your replacement teeth.
You do not need a separate implant for every tooth being replaced. A smaller number of well positioned implants can carry a bridge holding a full arch of teeth.
The bridge is fixed, so you clean it in your mouth rather than taking it out each night. A dentist can unscrew and remove it when that is clinically necessary, for example for a thorough clean, a review or a repair.
Treatment can be planned for the upper arch, the lower arch, or both, depending on what you need.
For reference only. Individual conditions need to be assessed by a qualified dentist.
Worth knowing: fixed does not mean maintenance free, and no full-arch bridge can be guaranteed to last a lifetime. Daily cleaning, regular professional reviews and occasional repairs are all part of it.
Individual treatment plans · Three views per case
All-on-X Before and After
Choose a patient case, then browse three paired views of that patient. Each treatment plan is individual, and outcomes vary.
Upper and lower All-on-X with combined treatment
This patient’s treatment included fixed All-on-X treatment for the upper and lower arches, along with Invisalign and other bridge treatment. The after photographs show the final replacement teeth. The visible changes reflect the combined treatment.
Front view
BEFORE
AFTER
Angled view 1
BEFORE
AFTER
Angled view 2
BEFORE
AFTER
View 1 of 3
These photographs show one individual patient’s treatment. Suitability, treatment needs, risks and outcomes vary. An individual assessment is required.
Camera angle, expression, lighting and apparent facial scale differ between the photographs. They have been proportionally resized and positioned within equal frames without retouching or colour adjustment.
Lower All-on-X with an Existing Upper Denture
This patient received a fixed All-on-X restoration for the lower jaw, while continuing to use his existing upper removable denture. The treatment described here was provided to the lower arch, not both arches.
Lower arch
Fixed All-on-X implant restoration.
Upper arch
Existing removable denture retained.
Lower arch treatment only. The patient’s existing upper removable denture was retained. No new upper implant bridge or upper denture was supplied as part of this case.
Front view
BEFORE
Initial presentation, with the existing upper denture removed for the photograph.
AFTER
Following lower All-on-X treatment, with the patient’s existing upper denture in place.
Angled view 1
BEFORE
Initial presentation, with the existing upper denture removed for the photograph.
AFTER
Following lower All-on-X treatment, with the patient’s existing upper denture in place.
Angled view 2
BEFORE
Initial presentation, with the existing upper denture removed for the photograph.
AFTER
Following lower All-on-X treatment, with the patient’s existing upper denture in place.
View 1 of 3
Supporting portrait. A later photograph of the same patient; it is not a matched before-and-after frame.
Different options for each arch
The lower replacement teeth are attached to dental implants rather than removed by the patient. This case illustrates an individual treatment plan in which different replacement options were used for the upper and lower jaws.
Treatment does not always need to involve both arches. Whether an existing denture can be retained depends on an individual assessment of its condition, fit and how it works with the planned restoration.
Additional photographs
Two additional portraits of the same patient following lower All-on-X treatment.
Angled portraitOpposite angled portrait
These photographs show one individual patient’s treatment. The lower arch received All-on-X treatment and the existing upper denture was retained. Suitability, treatment needs, risks and outcomes vary.
Camera angle, expression, lighting and apparent facial scale differ between photographs. The initial photographs have a wider mouth opening.
Fixed restorations require daily cleaning, professional review and possible repairs. Follow the treating dentist’s postoperative eating and care instructions.
An assessment may be worth having if you are missing most or all of the teeth in an arch, or if the teeth you still have are unlikely to last.
A number of things are weighed up, including:
The health of your gums and whether any infection is active
The amount and quality of bone available in the jaw
Your general health and medical history
Medicines you take, including any that affect bone or healing
Whether you smoke, which raises the risk of implant problems
Your bite, and whether you grind or clench your teeth
Whether you are able to manage the daily cleaning a fixed bridge needs
Suitability is an individual judgement and it cannot be made from a web page. Some people are better served by other options, and that is a perfectly good outcome of an assessment.
Healthy teeth that can be saved and maintained are usually worth keeping. Removing teeth that still have a reasonable outlook simply to make way for implants is not something we would encourage.
All-on-X, snap-on dentures and conventional dentures
These three options solve the same problem in different ways. None of them is automatically the best choice.
All-on-X fixed bridge
How it is supportedHeld entirely by dental implants placed in the jaw. It does not rest on the gums.
Do you remove itNo. It stays in place. A dentist can unscrew it when clinically necessary.
Daily cleaningBrushing, plus cleaning underneath the bridge with interdental brushes, floss threaders or a water flosser.
Ongoing maintenanceRegular reviews and hygiene visits. Chips, worn teeth, loose screws and other repairs can occur over time.
SuitabilityNeeds enough bone, healthy tissues and the ability to clean thoroughly around a fixed bridge.
Implant-retained snap-on denture
How it is supportedClips onto a small number of implants, with some support still coming from the gums and ridge.
Do you remove itYes. You take it out to clean it, and often overnight.
Daily cleaningRemove and clean the denture, clean the attachments and clean your mouth.
Ongoing maintenanceReviews, periodic replacement of the clip inserts, and relines as the ridge changes.
SuitabilityOften needs fewer implants than a fixed bridge, and suits people who are comfortable with something removable.
Conventional denture
How it is supportedRests on the gums and the bony ridge. No surgery is involved.
Do you remove itYes. You take it out to clean it and usually overnight.
Daily cleaningRemove and clean the denture, and clean your gums, tongue and any remaining teeth.
Ongoing maintenanceRelines and remakes over time as the ridge changes shape.
SuitabilitySuits many people, including those who would prefer to avoid surgery or who are not candidates for implants.
Conventional dentures avoid implant surgery. Snap-on dentures remain removable but involve implants. Each option has different cleaning, handling, maintenance and cost considerations; compare them after an individual assessment.
Every plan is different, but the sequence usually looks like this.
1. Consultation and assessment
We examine your mouth, talk through what is troubling you, review your medical history and discuss the options, including the ones that are not All-on-X.
2. Imaging and personalised planning
Appropriate imaging, photographs and other records help the dentist plan implant positions and the bridge. Imaging may include a 3D CBCT scan. Ask where investigations and each treatment stage will take place, and whether external imaging or referral may be needed.
3. Implant placement and any other necessary treatment
Implants are placed. This appointment may also involve removing teeth that cannot be kept, and in some cases bone grafting.
4. Temporary replacement teeth where appropriate
In selected cases, fixed temporary teeth can be fitted soon after implant placement. This depends on implant stability and other clinical circumstances and cannot be promised to everyone. A removable temporary option may be needed. Temporary teeth are not the final restoration.
5. Healing and review
The implants need time to bond with the bone. You are seen for reviews during this period, and the temporary teeth may be adjusted.
6. Final bridge and ongoing care
The final bridge is made, fitted and checked, then maintained with daily cleaning at home and regular professional reviews.
Implant placement, fitting replacement teeth, healing and the final restoration are separate stages. “Teeth in a day” does not mean the whole course of treatment is completed in one day. Your dentist will explain the expected sequence and the temporary options for your circumstances.
If dental treatment makes you anxious, discuss this during planning so suitable support and anaesthesia arrangements can be considered.
Lower arch All-on-X: a visual guide
Explore the lower-arch example, treatment pathway and ongoing care in five illustrated slides. Swipe or scroll, or use the Previous and Next buttons.
The patient photographs show lower-arch treatment only. The patient's existing upper removable denture was retained. Outcomes and suitability vary; the model photograph illustrates a bridge rather than a patient result.
1. Lower-arch treatment example
The photographed patient received lower-arch All-on-X treatment and retained his existing upper removable denture. Individual outcomes vary.
2. What is All-on-X?
The graphic explains a full arch of replacement teeth supported by multiple dental implants. The photograph shows a lower bridge on a dental model, rather than a patient outcome.
3. Your treatment pathway
Assessment and planning, implant placement, healing and restoration, then review and maintenance. Implant numbers and timing vary; same-day fixed teeth are not suitable for everyone.
4. Designed around your bite
The lower bridge is planned to work with the upper teeth or denture. Fit, appearance and cleaning access all matter. In this patient example, the existing upper removable denture was retained.
5. Fixed teeth, ongoing care
Daily cleaning around implants and beneath the bridge is essential. Professional reviews monitor implants, gums and bite. Surgery carries risks, including infection, nerve injury and implant failure; repairs or replacement may be needed.
For a suitable patient, an implant-supported fixed bridge may improve stability and chewing compared with a loose removable denture. An upper fixed bridge may leave the palate uncovered. The benefits and limitations depend on the individual treatment plan; a bridge can still develop problems or require repairs.
Risks and limitations
Implant treatment is surgery, and it carries real risks that are worth understanding before you decide.
Surgical risks including bleeding, swelling, bruising, discomfort and infection, and in some cases altered sensation in the lip, chin or tongue
An implant may fail to bond with the bone and may need to be removed, with further treatment to replace it
The gum and bone around implants can become inflamed or infected, which can lead to bone loss. This is more likely where cleaning is difficult or if you smoke
Teeth on the bridge can chip or wear, screws can loosen or fracture, and the bridge itself can fracture. Grinding or clenching increases this risk
Repairs and adjustments are common over the life of a full-arch bridge, and parts may eventually need replacing
Implants and bridges can last many years, but nobody can promise a result that lasts a lifetime
Maintenance
Cleaning underneath the bridge matters as much as cleaning the outside of it. You will be shown how, usually with interdental brushes, floss threaders or a water flosser, and it takes a little practice.
Regular professional reviews and hygiene appointments are part of the treatment rather than an optional extra. Over time, components may need adjusting, repairing or replacing, and this can involve additional cost.
What affects the cost of All-on-X
There is no single price for All-on-X, because no two plans are the same. What you are quoted depends on things like:
Whether you are treating one arch or both
The number of implants and the design of the bridge
Imaging, records and treatment planning
Removing teeth that cannot be kept, where that is needed
Bone grafting or other preparatory treatment, where that is needed
Temporary replacement teeth, where these are used
The materials chosen for the final bridge
Anaesthetic or sedation arrangements, where these apply
Follow-up appointments and ongoing maintenance
Ask for an itemised written quotation that distinguishes one arch from both arches and specifies the consultation, imaging, extractions, grafting where needed, anaesthesia arrangements, interim teeth, final bridge, follow-up, maintenance and repairs. Confirm what is included and what is charged separately before proceeding.
Ask about the current initial consultation fee and scope when booking. Imaging and other investigations should be discussed separately; do not assume that they are included without charge.
Payment options
See our Payment Plans page for information about current payment options and conditions. Availability and approval depend on the provider and your circumstances.
Our approach at Doncaster Hill Dental
Planning starts with your oral health, medical history and priorities. Suitable natural teeth should be considered for retention and restoration. Fixed implants, removable alternatives and choosing not to proceed should be discussed where appropriate.
Ask who will provide each stage of care, where it will take place and whether referral is needed. Learn about Dr Lavonne Kong and our team.
A written treatment plan should explain the stages, costs and ongoing care. Take time to consider the options and seek a second opinion if you wish.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between All-on-X and snap-on dentures?
An All-on-X bridge is fixed. It is attached to the implants and stays in your mouth, and only a dentist removes it. A snap-on denture clips onto implants but you take it out yourself to clean it, and it still takes some support from your gums. The fixed option usually needs more implants and more thorough cleaning at home. The removable option is generally simpler and less expensive.
How many implants would I need?
That is decided after an examination and scans. Four and six are common numbers for a full arch, but the decision depends on the shape and density of your bone, where the nerves and sinuses sit, your bite, and the design of the bridge. You do not need one implant for each tooth being replaced.
Can it replace upper teeth, lower teeth or both?
Any of the three. Some people have one arch treated this way and keep a different solution for the other. Upper and lower arches behave differently, so each is planned separately.
Can I receive temporary teeth on the day of surgery?
Sometimes, but it cannot be promised. Implant stability and other clinical circumstances determine whether immediate or early fixed temporary teeth are appropriate. A removable temporary option may be needed. Healing, reviews and the final bridge are later stages.
What discomfort and recovery should I expect?
Discomfort, swelling and bruising can occur. Recovery depends on the surgery and any extractions or grafting. Your dentist will explain eating, cleaning, aftercare and review arrangements for your circumstances, including when to seek advice.
How do I clean a fixed full-arch bridge?
Clean around the implants and beneath the bridge using the techniques your dental team recommends. Attend individualised reviews. Professional bridge removal may be needed for clinical reasons, but it is not automatically required at every maintenance visit.
How long can the implants and bridge last?
Longevity varies with oral health, daily cleaning, smoking, bite forces and other factors. Bridge teeth and components may wear, chip, loosen or need replacement. Fixed treatment is not maintenance-free and cannot be guaranteed for life.
What is included in the cost?
That varies between plans, which is why an itemised written quote matters. Ask specifically whether it covers the consultation and scans, extractions, grafting, the implants, the temporary teeth, the final bridge, follow-up visits, and what happens if a repair is needed later.
Talk it through with us
An individual assessment can help you understand suitability, alternatives, costs and ongoing care before deciding whether to proceed.
