When looking to restore your smile with dentures, there are a lot of options to choose from. Traditional dentures are typically the most affordable, as they simply rest on your jaw. But over time, these prosthetics lose their fit, increasing your costs with denture relines and adhesives. Implant dentures that use conventional dental implants, like the All-on-Four system, are more reliable than traditional dentures. However, they come with a high price tag and a lengthy recovery process. Only mini implant dentures combine both affordability and stability to create the best tooth replacement option for patients like you! With mini dental implant systems like the Fix-on-Six denture, we can restore your smile without all the hassle.
What Is an All-on-Four Denture?
The All-on-Four implant denture system uses 4 conventional implants to secure an artificial smile in place.
Typically, two implants are placed near the anterior, or front, of your smile to keep the prosthetic secure. Then, the other two implants are placed in the posterior, or back, of your jaw, on either end. But because conventional implants are large in diameter, these posterior implants must be placed at an angle. This angle allows the implants to secure in your jaw while avoiding important structures like your sinuses.
To place conventional implants, an incision will first be made in your gums. Then, with your jawbone revealed, a series of drills will create an opening in your jaw that fits the implant body. This structure is the screw-like portion of a conventional implant that, over time, will integrate with your bone to create a stable foundation.
After a few months of healing, your implant will be secure enough in your jaw to support the abutment, or connector piece. This portion of the implant allows your denture to secure to your implants. Once the abutment is in place, a temporary denture is secured on your smile while you wait for your gums to heal.
Finally, after a several-month-long process, your final denture will be secured by four conventional implants.
What Is a Fix-on-Six Denture?
Instead of using four conventional implants, the Fix-on-Six denture system uses six to ten mini dental implants.
These small titanium posts are usually about half the size of a conventional implant, without sacrificing any stability or strength. Despite their smaller diameter, these implants are just as strong as their conventional counterparts, with much less hassle.
To place a Fix-on-Six denture, we strategically place these implants around your mouth using a minimally invasive procedure. Mini dental implants are one-piece titanium implants that we place in a single appointment.
Rather than making an incision in your gums, we can simply go through your gum tissue and drill a small hole into your jaw. Then, we screw a slim-diameter implant into your jaw using the pilot hole as a guide. Once inside, mini implants immediately begin stabilizing in your jawbone.
Unlike conventional implants, which need several months to secure, mini implants are ready to support a temporary restoration the same day we place them. After a few short weeks of healing, these titanium posts are stable enough to support your final denture and restore your smile.
A Fix-on-Six denture, also known as a zirconia roundhouse bridge, has a sleek design that eliminates most of the bulky denture base. With this semi-removable restoration on your implants, you can enjoy a stable and natural-looking smile.
All-on-Four vs. Fix-on-Six in Springfield, MO
In contrast to All-on-Four conventional implants, Fix-on-Six mini implants offer a host of benefits. These include:
- Less invasive procedure: To place mini dental implants, we use a minimally invasive procedure. This process preserves a lot of the tissue surrounding your implant, allowing us to place mini implants in minimal bone. While most patients require additional procedures that rebuild lost jawbone for conventional implants, mini implants allow patients to skip bone augmentation altogether.
- More comfortable placement: Because we use such a gentle placement process, mini implants cause less post-operative discomfort. Most patients report minimal pain, and they can relieve any discomfort with over-the-counter medications.
- Less healing time: With a simpler structure and placement, mini implants require a shorter recovery period. Instead of waiting several months for your bone and gum to heal, patients heal in just a few weeks after mini implant placement. This speedy recovery process also allows us to place your final restoration much sooner.
- More affordable price: In general, mini dental implants cost less than conventional dental implants. Even though Fix-on-Six dentures require more implants, they’re actually less expensive than All-on-Four dentures, thanks to their fewer parts and placement appointments.
Find Better Comfort and Stability With Fix-on-Six
Between All-on-Four dentures and Fix-on-Six dentures, it can be difficult to know which solution to go with. While both are strong and reliable tooth replacements, the Fix-on-Six system uses mini dental implants, which gives it a significant advantage. With mini dental implants, you can enjoy a less invasive, more comfortable, and faster healing process. Not to mention, mini implants are much less expensive than conventional implants, making Fix-on-Six an affordable alternative to All-on-Four.
Book a free implant consultation today with the Mini Dental Implant Center of America in Springfield, MO, to learn if you’re eligible for implant denture solutions!
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