Losing all your teeth: fixed full-arch implants, how do they work?

In short: fixed full-arch implants let you recover a complete arch of teeth with a prosthesis anchored to just a few implants, without needing to place one implant for every tooth. It does not come out at night, it feels firm and it restores much of your biting ability. It is an alternative to removable dentures for anyone who has lost all or almost all of their teeth.

What do fixed full-arch implants involve?

The idea is simple: instead of placing one implant for each missing tooth, a few implants are placed, well distributed in the bone, and a fixed prosthesis with all the teeth of that arch is anchored on top of them. Those implants act as roots and hold the complete “bridge”.

There are several techniques with well-known brand names, but the basis is the same: making use of the available bone with a reduced number of implants to support an entire arch. How many implants and where to place them is a clinical decision that depends on each person’s bone.

How does it differ from a denture?

It is the most common question, and the difference is significant:

• A removable denture rests on the gum, is taken out to clean it and can move when you talk or eat.
• Fixed implants are anchored to the bone, do not move, are not removed at home and feel much more like your own teeth.

For many people who have spent years struggling with a denture that wobbles, moving to something fixed is a major change in daily life. Even so, not every option suits everyone: the right choice comes from an individual assessment.

Am I a candidate if I have lost all my teeth?

In most cases there is a solution, but several things need to be checked:

• How much bone is left: if a lot has been reabsorbed, a graft may be needed first. We explain this in the bone graft guide.
• Gum and general health: factors such as smoking or poorly controlled diabetes have an influence.
• Your expectations: what you are looking for and how you want to eat and smile.

All of this is assessed with an examination and usually a 3D X-ray. It is a clinical assessment; here we give general information, not a diagnosis.

What is the process, step by step?

Every case is different, but broadly it usually follows these stages:

1. Initial study: examination, 3D X-ray and treatment plan.
2. Placement of the implants, under local anaesthetic.
3. Integration period, during which the implants bond with the bone. In some cases a temporary prosthesis is fitted early on.
4. Final prosthesis, once everything is firm.
5. Maintenance: check-ups and hygiene so it lasts many years.

It is a process involving several visits and calls for a little patience, but the result is a stable solution. On durability, you may be interested in the guide on how long an implant lasts.

How much does it cost to fit fixed implants for the whole mouth?

It is one of the most comprehensive treatments in dentistry, so the range is wide and depends on how many implants, which technique and what type of dental prosthesis is used. As an indicative market reference, rehabilitating a complete arch is a considerable investment, and doing both arches more so. These are indicative ranges: a firm quote, for your specific case, is given at the first visit.

Restoring your whole mouth with fixed dental implants is an important decision, and it deserves to be explained to you calmly and without pressure. At our dental clinic in Bilbao the first consultation is free: we study your case, tell you what options you genuinely have and give you a clear quote. You can book an appointment from the contact page.