For patients missing most or all of their teeth, All-on-X offers a way to restore a full, functional smile in a single coordinated treatment rather than replacing teeth one at a time. Here’s a complete guide to how All-on-X works, who it’s for, and what makes the treatment at NuSmile in Saratoga Springs, UT different.
What Is All-on-X?
All-on-X is a full-arch dental implant treatment that replaces an entire row of missing or failing teeth using a small number of strategically placed implants, rather than one implant per tooth. The “X” refers to the number of implants used, commonly four, though the exact number depends on each patient’s jawbone structure and treatment plan. A custom, fixed set of replacement teeth is then attached to those implants, restoring the full arch at once.
How Does All-on-X Work?
The implants are titanium posts placed into the jawbone, where they function much like natural tooth roots. Over the following months, the posts fuse with the surrounding bone through a process called osseointegration, creating a strong, stable foundation. Because All-on-X uses angled implant placement in specific positions, it can often work even for patients with some degree of bone loss, without always requiring extensive bone grafting first. Once the implants are healed, a custom-designed, full-arch prosthesis is securely attached, giving patients a fixed set of teeth that doesn’t come out for daily cleaning.
Who Is a Candidate for All-on-X?
All-on-X is generally a strong option for patients who are missing most or all of the teeth in an arch, patients with failing or heavily damaged teeth that aren’t worth restoring individually, and patients who are tired of the instability, discomfort, or dietary restrictions that come with removable dentures. Because All-on-X uses precise implant angling, many patients with some bone loss are still candidates, though a consultation with imaging is the only way to confirm your specific case.
What Makes NuSmile’s Approach to All-on-X Different?
Dr. Jeremy Thompson has placed dental implants in Saratoga Springs, UT, since 1996 and was an early adopter of the Yomi® robotic implant system. By 2023, he was placing 5% of all robotic implants worldwide, making him a global leader in robotic implant placement and one of only three practices in Utah offering this technology.
Yomi eliminates the need for a separate surgical guide while providing real-time guidance and haptic feedback during placement, allowing for more precise, minimally invasive implant surgery with more predictable outcomes. NuSmile also operates an on-site dental lab with in-house CAD-CAM 5-axis milling, which supports faster turnaround and tighter quality control over the final restoration.
What Does the All-on-X Process Involve?
Treatment typically begins with a consultation that includes a full oral evaluation and advanced imaging to assess bone structure and plan implant placement. Using Yomi robotic guidance, Dr. Thompson places the implants with real-time precision. Many patients are able to leave with a temporary set of teeth the same day, so they aren’t without a functional smile during healing. Over the following months, the implants fuse with the jawbone, and once healing is confirmed, the final, permanent full-arch restoration, often crafted using the on-site lab’s CAD-CAM milling technology, is attached.
How Is All-on-X Different from Traditional Dentures?
Traditional dentures rest on top of the gums and are removed daily, while All-on-X implants are permanently anchored in the jawbone. Because dentures don’t stimulate the jawbone, they don’t prevent the bone loss that naturally follows tooth loss, which can lead to a looser fit and changes in facial structure over time. All-on-X implants, by contrast, stimulate the bone much like natural tooth roots, helping preserve its structure and offering a stable, long-term foundation for chewing, speaking, and smiling with confidence.
How Much Does All-on-X Cost?
Cost depends on several factors, including the number of implants needed, whether any supportive procedures are required, and the materials used for the final restoration. While All-on-X involves a higher upfront investment than removable dentures, it’s often more cost-effective over time since it doesn’t require the ongoing adjustments, relines, and replacements that traditional dentures need every several years. Full details are available on NuSmile’s cost page, and the practice offers financing options to help make treatment more accessible.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many implants does All-on-X typically use? The exact number varies by patient, commonly around four per arch, depending on jawbone structure, bone density, and the specific treatment plan developed after imaging and evaluation.
Is All-on-X the same as All-on-4? All-on-4 is one specific version of the broader All-on-X approach, using exactly four implants per arch. All-on-X is the more general term, since some patients may need a different number of implants based on their individual anatomy.
Can I get All-on-X if I have bone loss? Often, yes. All-on-X uses angled implant placement designed to work with limited bone in certain areas, which means many patients who wouldn’t qualify for traditional implants can still be candidates.
Will I be without teeth during the healing process? Typically not. Many patients receive a temporary, fixed set of teeth the same day as surgery, so they have a functional smile while the implants heal and fuse with the jawbone.
How does Yomi robotic technology improve the All-on-X procedure? Yomi provides real-time guidance and haptic feedback during implant placement, improving precision and enabling more minimally invasive surgery with more predictable outcomes compared to traditional freehand or guide-based techniques.
How long do All-on-X implants last? With proper care, All-on-X implants are designed to last for many years, often decades, functioning much like natural teeth and requiring only routine brushing, flossing, and dental checkups.
Restore Your Smile with All-on-X
If you’re missing most or all of your teeth and want a permanent, fixed alternative to dentures, All-on-X may be the right solution. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Jeremy Thompson and the team at NuSmile in Saratoga Springs, UT, to find out if All-on-X is right for you.
