What do I need to know about an implant-supported bridge (All-on-4/6 method)?

What do I need to know about an implant-supported bridge (All-on-4/6 method)?

When a jaw has no teeth at all, or the remaining teeth are in too poor a condition to support a conventional bridge, the patient can choose a fixed restoration on 4 or 6 implants – the All-on-4/6 method – instead of a removable denture.

Who it suits best

It is the best choice for patients who want fixed prosthetic work but have lost their teeth and the surrounding bone. It is also an ideal solution for patients whose removable denture is reducing their quality of life.

What the procedure involves

The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic and four or six implants are placed. Within 24 hours the patient receives temporary teeth, which they use until the implants have stabilised and the permanent work has been made. The temporary bridge stays in the mouth for 3–6 months, depending on bone quality, and is then replaced with the permanent restoration. It also helps patients get used to the new situation and leaves enough time for any aesthetic adjustments to the final work.

Who is not an ideal candidate

Of course, an implant-supported bridge has contraindications as well as indications, mostly related to the patient’s general health. Patients with uncontrolled conditions such as diabetes or autoimmune diseases, and patients on bisphosphonate therapy, are not always ideal candidates for implants. Beyond medical conditions, poor oral hygiene and smoking are major obstacles. If poor oral hygiene can damage natural teeth, it can damage implants even more easily.

The All-on-4/6 method is an ideal solution for patients with toothless jaws who want to have teeth that feel like ‘their own’ again, because this kind of restoration is not taken out of the mouth.

With proper care and regular check-ups, All-on-4/6 can be a lifelong solution.