Losing most or all of your teeth can feel overwhelming. Eating becomes harder. Confidence takes a hit. And the idea of getting them all replaced in one go might sound complicated or even a bit scary.
That’s where All-on-X comes in, a treatment that replaces a full arch of teeth using just four to six dental implants. It’s become one of the more popular full-arch restoration options in New Zealand, and for good reason. But many patients walk into their first consultation without knowing what actually happens at each step.
This guide breaks down the entire process, from your very first scan to receiving your final prosthetic, so you know exactly what to expect.
What Is All-on-X and Why Does It Matter?
All-on-X is a dental implant method where four to six implants are placed into the jaw at specific angles to support a full set of fixed teeth. Unlike traditional dentures, the prosthetic doesn’t sit on the gums or get removed at night. It stays in place.
The name “All-on-X” refers to supporting all teeth on a set number of implants, most commonly four (All-on-4) or six (All-on-6). The exact number depends on the patient’s bone density, jaw shape, and clinical needs.
Treatment outcomes vary depending on individual circumstances, which is why a thorough assessment comes before anything else.
Stage 1: The Initial Consultation and 3D Scanning
What Happens at Your First Visit
The journey starts with a detailed consultation. Your dentist will review your medical history, ask about medications, check your gum health, and discuss what you’re hoping to get out of treatment.
This isn’t just a quick chat. The clinical team needs a full picture of your oral and general health before any planning begins.
3D Cone Beam CT Scan
After the initial consultation, you’ll have a 3D cone beam CT (CBCT) scan. This scan gives the dental team a detailed look at your jawbone, its height, width, density, and where the nerves sit.
This is one of the most important steps in the whole process. Without this information, accurate implant placement simply isn’t possible.
The scan is quick, usually taking under a minute, and involves no pain. You’ll sit or stand while the machine rotates around your head. Results are typically reviewed the same day or within a few days.
Stage 2: Treatment Planning and the Role of the Dental Lab
How Your Treatment Plan Is Built
Once the scan data is in, your dental team maps out exactly where each implant will go. They use specialist software to simulate the surgery in 3D before making a single cut.
This planning stage is where the all on x dental lab New Zealand connection becomes important. The lab team works alongside the clinical team to design the temporary and final prosthetics based on the scan data and the planned implant positions.
Digital Design and Surgical Guides
From the planning software, a surgical guide is created, a custom appliance that fits over your teeth or gums and shows the surgeon precisely where to drill. This reduces guesswork during surgery and improves accuracy.
You’ll also discuss the shape, shade, and size of your prosthetic teeth at this point. Photos, shade guides, and sometimes digital mock-ups are used to help you visualise the end result.
Stage 3: The Extraction and Implant Placement Surgery
What Happens on Surgery Day
For most patients, extractions (if needed) and implant placement happen on the same day. You’ll be given local anaesthesia, and sedation options are often available to keep you comfortable.
The surgeon places four to six titanium implants into the jawbone using the surgical guide created in the planning stage. The back implants are often placed at an angle to maximise contact with available bone, especially if some bone loss has already occurred.
Temporary Prosthetic Fitted the Same Day
One of the standout features of All-on-X is that most patients leave with a temporary prosthetic fitted on the day of surgery. This isn’t the final set of teeth. It’s a provisional prosthetic that lets you eat soft foods and function while the implants integrate with the bone.
The temporary prosthetic is made in advance using the lab data collected during the planning stages. This is why the pre-surgical scans and lab work matter so much. An all on x dental lab New Zealand that communicates closely with the clinical team helps make same-day delivery of the temporary prosthetic possible.
Stage 4: Healing and Osseointegration
What Is Osseointegration?
Osseointegration is the process where the titanium implants fuse with your jawbone. This takes time, usually three to six months, and is what gives the final restoration its stability.
During this period, your diet will be restricted to soft foods. Hard, crunchy, or chewy foods put pressure on the implants before they’ve fully integrated, which can affect outcomes.
Check-Up Appointments During Healing
You’ll have several review appointments during the healing phase. At these visits, the clinical team checks how the implants are settling, looks at gum tissue healing, and makes sure the temporary prosthetic is fitting correctly.
If you feel any unusual pain, swelling, or movement in the temporary prosthetic between appointments, it’s important to contact your clinic straight away rather than waiting.
Stage 5: Final Impressions and Prosthetic Fabrication
Moving to the Final Prosthetic
Once osseointegration is confirmed, usually through follow-up X-rays and clinical checks, the team moves toward the final prosthetic.
New impressions or scans are taken. These are highly detailed because the final prosthetic needs to fit with precision. Even minor inaccuracies at this stage can affect bite, comfort, and long-term wear on the implants.
What the Final Prosthetic Is Made Of
Final All-on-X prosthetics are most commonly made from zirconia, which is a strong tooth-coloured ceramic that looks natural and resists staining, or acrylic with a titanium framework which is slightly more flexible and often lighter in weight, or porcelain-fused options which are less common for full-arch work but used in some cases.
Your dental team and lab will discuss which material suits your bite force, aesthetic goals, and budget.
Stage 6: Fitting the Final Prosthetic
The Final Placement Appointment
At this appointment, the temporary prosthetic is removed and the final one is attached to the implant abutments. The clinical team checks the fit, bite, and appearance carefully before making it permanent.
You’ll be asked to bite down, speak, and give feedback on how it feels. Small adjustments may be made at this visit or at a follow-up shortly after.
What It Feels Like
Most patients report that the final prosthetic feels more stable and natural than the temporary one. It may take a week or two to fully adjust to speaking and eating with the new teeth.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does the Whole All-on-X Process Take?
From first consultation to fitting the final prosthetic, the process typically takes between six and twelve months. The longest part is the healing phase while the implants integrate with the bone.
Can I Eat Normally While Waiting for My Final Prosthetic?
You can eat most soft and moderately firm foods with the temporary prosthetic. However, hard foods like crusty bread, raw carrots, and nuts are best avoided until the final prosthetic is fitted and the healing phase is complete.
What Happens If an Implant Doesn’t Integrate Properly?
In some cases, an implant may not integrate as expected. This is why regular check-ups during the healing phase matter. If an issue is caught early, options are available to address it before final prosthetic fabrication begins. Treatment outcomes vary, and your dental team will guide you through any complications if they arise.
Is the Treatment Painful?
Surgery is performed under local anaesthesia, so you shouldn’t feel pain during the procedure itself. Post-surgical discomfort, swelling, and bruising are common in the days following surgery. Your dental team will provide pain management guidance specific to your situation.
Conclusion
The All-on-X journey is a step-by-step process, not a single procedure. From the initial 3D scan and planning stage through surgery, healing, and final fitting, each phase builds on the one before it.
Understanding what happens at each stage takes away a lot of the uncertainty. You’ll have multiple appointments, a recovery period, and ongoing check-ups, all of which are part of getting a result that functions well and lasts.
If you’re considering this treatment, speaking with a qualified dental professional is a good starting point. A personalised treatment plan can be discussed during consultation, giving you a clearer picture of what your specific journey may look like.
