All-on-X Dental Implants in Wethersfield, CT

If you're struggling with multiple failing teeth or uncomfortable dentures that sometimes slip, you're not alone. Many people in Wethersfield face the difficult choice between living with dental problems that affect their confidence and daily life, or finding a solution that truly works. 

At Dolan Dental in Wethersfield, Connecticut, we offer a wonderful alternative to dentures called “All-on-X”. All-on-X dental implants are a way to replace an entire arch of missing or failing teeth using just four to eight strategically placed titanium posts at precise angles to engage the densest areas of your jawbone while avoiding sensitive structures like sinuses and nerves. Those titanium posts will support a complete fixed bridge, leaving you with a fully functional smile. 

Read on to discover how this life-changing treatment could restore your oral health, along with your confidence.

Quick Overview

• All-on-4 vs All-on-6: Four implants work for most people; six provide additional stability for larger arches or compromised bone quality
• Same-day function: Your temporary teeth attach immediately after implant placement, so you never go without teeth
• Bone preservation: Implants stimulate jawbone tissue and prevent the facial collapse that occurs with traditional dentures
• Investment considerations: Full-arch restoration represents a significant investment that varies with complexity and materials chosen
• Treatment timeline: Initial healing takes several months before we place your final restoration

How Do All-on-X Implants Work?

The "X" in All-on-X refers to the variable number of implants we use based on your jawbone quality, arch size, and bite forces. Most people receive four to six implants per arch, though some cases require eight for optimal stability. The key innovation lies in the angled placement of the posterior implants, as we tilt them to engage the strongest cortical bone while bypassing anatomical limitations.

Your temporary bridge attaches to the implants on the same day as surgery through a precise connection system. These provisional teeth allow you to eat soft foods and maintain your appearance while the implants undergo osseointegration, the process where titanium fuses with living bone tissue over several months. Once healing is complete, we replace the temporary restoration with your final bridge, crafted from durable materials that can withstand normal chewing forces for many years.

What Are the Benefits of Full-Mouth Implant Restoration?

All-on-X implants provide stability that removable dentures simply cannot match. Because your restoration is permanently fixed in place, you won't experience the embarrassing slipping, clicking, or sore spots that plague denture wearers. You can bite into an apple, chew steak, and speak confidently without worrying about your teeth shifting.

The implants also preserve your facial structure by stimulating the jawbone through normal chewing forces. When you lose teeth, the underlying bone begins to shrink away, creating the sunken, aged appearance around your mouth. Implants halt this process and can even encourage new bone formation, maintaining the structural support your facial muscles need.

Are You a Candidate for All-on-X Treatment?

You might be a good candidate for All-on-X implants if you have:

• Multiple failing teeth: Extensive decay, fractures, or root canals that are no longer viable
• Ill-fitting dentures: Loose, painful, or ineffective removable prosthetics
• Sufficient bone volume: Adequate jawbone density to support implant integration
• Stable overall health: Good healing capacity and controlled medical conditions
• Realistic expectations: Understanding of the treatment process and maintenance requirements

Your overall health matters much more than your age. We've successfully treated people in their eighties alongside younger adults who lost teeth due to trauma, genetic conditions, or aggressive gum disease. Heavy smoking significantly increases the risk of implant failure because nicotine restricts blood flow to the healing tissues.

What Does The All-on-X Process Look Like?

Your treatment begins with comprehensive imaging using our cone beam CT scanner, which creates a three-dimensional map of your jawbone, sinuses, and nerve pathways. We use this data to plan the exact position and angle of each implant, often creating surgical guides that ensure precise placement during your procedure.

Here's what happens on your surgery day:

1. Sedation and Anesthesia: We ensure your complete comfort throughout the procedure
2. Extractions if Needed: Any remaining teeth that cannot be saved is removed safely
3. Implant Placement: Titanium posts are placed at the predetermined locations and angles
4. Abutment Attachment: We connect the components that will hold your temporary bridge
5. Wake Up to Your New Smile: While you recover at home, our digital design team is already crafting your 3D-printed teeth overnight. You'll return the next morning to have them attached — no long waits, no gaps in your smile.

We'll see you for follow-up appointments to monitor healing and make any necessary adjustments to your provisional restoration. After several months of integration, we'll take impressions for your final bridge and complete your treatment with a restoration designed to last for many years.

Which Is Right for You: All-on-4 vs All-on-6 vs All-on-8?

The number of implants we recommend depends on several factors specific to your case:

• All-on-4: Works well if you have good bone quality and normal-sized arches. The four implants provide adequate support for most people, and we often recommend All-on-4 for lower arches, where the jawbone provides excellent density and stability.
• All-on-6: Adds two additional implants, typically in the front region where bone is usually most abundant. This approach distributes chewing forces across more implants and provides better long-term stability, especially for upper arches where bone tends to be softer.
• All-on-8: This option is reserved for complex cases where maximum support is essential. If you have very wide arches, compromised bone quality, or exceptionally heavy chewing habits, you may benefit from the additional implants.

What Are the Investment and Financing Options?

Full-arch implant restoration is a meaningful investment in your long-term health, comfort, and quality of life. The total cost varies based on your specific clinical needs and the type of restoration you choose. Factors that influence the overall investment include:

• Number of implants placed: More implants may provide additional support and durability
• Extractions required: Removing remaining teeth, if necessary, adds surgical time
• Bone grafting needs: Some people require additional procedures to strengthen the implant foundation
• Final restoration materials: The type of prosthetic materials selected can affect longevity and esthetics

While coverage varies, many insurance policies offer partial benefits for implants replacing failing or missing teeth. We proactively review your dental insurance, submitting pre-authorizations to clarify expected benefits and explain coverage for your All-on-X treatment. We also identify medical insurance considerations and provide a transparent breakdown of your estimated out-of-pocket costs.

If insurance coverage is insufficient, we offer flexible financing solutions, including extended payment plans through trusted providers for various credit situations. We may also discuss phased treatment plans when clinically appropriate to align care with your financial comfort.

We believe in financial clarity as part of quality care. Our team is here to answer your questions, explain your options clearly, and help you move forward with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does All-on-X surgery take?

Most All-on-X procedures take several hours per arch, depending on the complexity of your case. If you need multiple extractions or bone grafting procedures, your surgery may extend longer. We provide conscious sedation to keep you comfortable throughout the procedure.

Can I eat normally with All-on-X implants?

You'll start with a soft food diet for the first few weeks while your implants heal and integrate with the bone. Once you receive your final restoration after several months, you can eat most foods normally. Most people find they can enjoy foods they couldn't manage with dentures.

What's the difference between All-on-X and traditional dental implants?

Traditional implants replace individual teeth, requiring one implant per missing tooth, potentially many implants for a full arch. All-on-X uses fewer implants to support an entire arch of replacement teeth through a fixed bridge design. This approach reduces treatment time, surgical complexity, and overall investment while still providing the stability and bone preservation benefits of implant therapy.

How do I clean All-on-X implants?

You'll brush your implant bridge twice daily like natural teeth, but you'll need special floss threaders or water flossers to clean under the restoration where bacteria and food particles can accumulate. Regular professional cleanings help maintain your investment and allow us to monitor implant health.

What happens if an All-on-X implant fails?

Individual implant failure is uncommon but manageable when it occurs. In most cases, your remaining implants can support your restoration while we place a replacement implant. The distributed load design of All-on-X systems provides built-in redundancy that protects against single-point failures.

Am I too old for All-on-X implants?

Age alone doesn't disqualify you from implant treatment. We've successfully treated people well into their later years who heal beautifully and enjoy their restored function. Your overall health, healing capacity, and bone quality matter more than your age.

How soon can I return to work after All-on-X surgery?

Most people take a few days off work for initial recovery, though this varies based on your job requirements and individual healing response. If your work involves heavy lifting, strenuous physical activity, or extensive speaking, you may need a longer recovery period.

Your Journey to a Confident Smile Starts Here

We understand that considering All-on-X implants represents a significant decision that affects not just your oral health, but your confidence, comfort, and quality of life. At Dolan Dental, we believe every person deserves to smile without hesitation, eat the foods they love, and speak with confidence.

Our compassionate team takes time to listen to your concerns, understand your goals, and explain your options in clear, understandable terms. We're here to support you through every step of this transformative journey, from your initial consultation through your final restoration and beyond.

If you're ready to explore whether All-on-X implants can restore your smile and confidence, Dolan Dental offers complimentary consultations to evaluate your candidacy. Our team will examine your oral health, review your medical history, discuss your goals, and explain which treatment approach would work best for your specific situation. Contact our office to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward permanent, stable tooth replacement that can transform your quality of life.

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