Replacing an entire arch of teeth is one of the most transformative procedures in dentistry, and if you’re researching it, you likely want to know exactly what the road ahead looks like. Full arch restoration, often called All-on-X or full arch fixed prosthesis treatment, involves placing a small number of implants in the jaw to permanently support a complete set of replacement teeth. The process takes place over several months and is carefully sequenced to give you the best possible outcome.
At Spring St. Dental in Bastrop, TX, we carry out every step of this process in our office, working closely with our oral surgeon to provide a streamlined, cohesive experience. Our team uses guided dental implant technology to plan each case with 3D CBCT imaging before a single incision is made. That level of precision directly impacts how your implants heal and how your final restoration fits. If you’ve been wondering whether this treatment is right for you, learning the full sequence can go a long way toward helping you decide.
Your Initial Consultation and Treatment Planning
Before any surgical work begins, we take a close look at your oral health, jaw structure, and bone quality. This stage includes a comprehensive exam, digital X-rays, and a 3D cone beam CT scan that gives our doctors a detailed, three-dimensional picture of your jaw. From that data, we build a fully digital treatment plan that maps out exactly where each implant will be placed.
What Happens During Planning
This planning phase is where technology makes a meaningful difference. Using the CBCT scan data, we design custom surgical guides that direct implant placement to the exact positions determined during planning. Research published in a 2024 study in PMC found that this type of fully digital workflow produces minimal deviation between planned and actual implant positions, which contributes to higher success rates and more predictable outcomes. Our team reviews your options, discusses restoration materials, and goes over pricing so you know what to expect well before your surgical date.
The Surgical Appointment
On surgery day, we place the implants using the surgical guides developed during planning. Depending on your situation, we may also remove any remaining teeth during this same visit. You’ll be comfortable throughout, as we offer nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation in-house to help you stay relaxed.
Temporaries and Immediate Loading
One of the most commonly asked questions about full arch restoration is whether you’ll leave the office with teeth. In most cases, you will. We load temporary prosthetics on the same day as surgery, so you can eat, speak, and smile while your implants integrate with the bone. These temporaries are designed to keep things comfortable and functional during the healing period, which typically spans a few months. Understanding the full arc of this process from the first appointment to the final restoration helps set realistic expectations and reduces anxiety along the way.
The Healing Phase
After surgery, your implants begin a process called osseointegration, during which the bone gradually fuses with the implant surface. This phase generally takes three to six months, and follow-up visits allow us to monitor your healing and make any adjustments to your temporaries as needed. Staying consistent with your follow-up schedule matters, as these appointments help catch any issues early and keep the process on track.
Life During Healing
Most patients adapt to their temporaries quickly and are able to resume normal routines within a short period. We provide detailed aftercare guidance covering what to eat, how to clean your temporaries, and what signs to watch for. The goal is to protect your investment and support healthy bone integration throughout this stage. Patients who are weighing their options often find it helpful to compare full arch implants to traditional dentures to understand why the fixed approach tends to produce better long-term outcomes.
Placement of the Final Restoration
Once healing is confirmed, we take new digital scans to fabricate your permanent prosthesis. At Spring St. Dental, we have the ability to 3D print restorations in-house, which helps us reduce costs and keep the process moving efficiently. The final restoration is crafted from high-quality materials, including options made from materials recently cleared by the FDA for full arch fixed use. After fitting and any final adjustments, your new teeth are secured into place.
Start Your Consultation at Spring St. Dental
At Spring St. Dental, our team of three experienced doctors, Dr. Matthew Lassen, Dr. Meghan Bhakta, and Dr. Brian Romney, brings a range of clinical strengths to every full-arch case. From 3D-guided surgical planning to in-house 3D printing of restorations, we’re equipped to handle the entire process under one roof at a price point that competes directly with major national providers. We also work with Cherry and CareCredit financing to make treatment more accessible, and we file insurance claims on your behalf as an out-of-network provider. You can read more about your candidacy for this treatment on our full arch prosthesis candidate page.
If you’re ready to learn whether full arch restoration is right for you, we’d love to walk you through your options in person. Contact our office to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward a complete, permanent smile.