Full-Arch Dental Implants in Campbelltown, Adelaide
Short answer: full-arch implant treatment replaces all the teeth in
the upper or lower jaw with a fixed bridge supported by a small
number of implants, usually four to six. At our Campbelltown studio,
Dr Anthony Vinci plans each case using a 3D CBCT scan, and more
complex cases are planned together with a specialist oral and
maxillofacial surgeon or a specialist periodontist. It suits some
people and not others, so every case starts with an assessment and a
written plan.
01
What is full-arch implant treatment?
Instead of replacing each missing tooth with its own implant, full-arch treatment places a small number of implants, usually four to six, across the jaw. A one-piece bridge of teeth is then fixed to them. The bridge stays in place and is not taken out at home; only your dentist removes it, for maintenance.
You may see it called by brand names such as All-on-4. These describe particular ways of doing the same broad treatment.
02
Who is it suitable for?
Full-arch treatment may be worth considering if you have lost most or all of the teeth in one jaw, if your remaining teeth can't be saved, or if you wear a denture that is loose or uncomfortable and you'd like a fixed alternative.
It may not be the right choice if you have uncontrolled diabetes, smoke heavily, take certain medications that affect bone healing, or would find daily cleaning around a bridge difficult. These don't always rule it out, but they change the risks, and we'll talk them through honestly.
03
Full-arch implants, overdentures or dentures?
There are three common ways to replace a full arch of teeth, and none is right for everyone.
A conventional denture rests on the gums. It involves no surgery and costs the least, but it can move, and the bone underneath shrinks over time.
An implant-retained overdenture clips onto two to four implants. It is far more stable than a denture, still comes out for cleaning, and usually costs less than a fixed bridge.
A full-arch fixed bridge is fixed to four to six implants and does not come out at home. It feels closest to natural teeth but involves more surgery, cost and ongoing maintenance.
We'll explain which options suit you, including the ones we don't carry out ourselves.
04
What does the process involve?
1. Assessment and planning. An examination, a 3D CBCT scan and digital records, followed by a written, itemised treatment plan and time to think it over.
2. Surgery. Any remaining teeth that can't be saved are removed and the implants are placed, under local anaesthetic, with other options for anxious patients discussed at planning.
3. Temporary teeth. Where the implants are stable enough, a fixed temporary bridge is attached shortly after surgery. If not, the implants heal first and a temporary denture is worn.
4. Healing. Usually around three to six months while the implants bond with the bone.
5. Final bridge. A new, stronger bridge is made from digital scans and fitted.
6. Maintenance. Daily cleaning at home and regular reviews, when the bridge is sometimes removed and cleaned.
05
Who plans and carries out your treatment
Full-arch treatment is planned at our Campbelltown studio by Dr Anthony Vinci, who graduated from the University of Adelaide, has completed postgraduate implant training through gIDE, and is licensed to capture and assess CBCT scans.
We carry out suitable cases in-house. Where a case calls for it, for example when significant bone grafting is needed, we plan and treat it together with a specialist oral and maxillofacial surgeon or
a specialist periodontist, and we'll explain who does what before treatment begins.
Full-arch implants for Adelaide's eastern suburbs
Our studio is on Lower North East Road in Campbelltown, inside the
MyMedical facility, close to Rostrevor, Magill, Athelstone, Paradise,
Tranmere and Teringie. Full-arch treatment involves a number of
visits over several months, and reviews continue afterwards, so a
practice near home makes a real difference.
The risks, stated plainly Full-arch treatment is surgery, and the risks include infection, swelling and bruising, an implant not integrating with the bone, nerve injury causing numbness in the lip or chin (usually temporary, occasionally permanent), and sinus involvement in the upper jaw. Over time, the bridge can chip or wear, and inflammation and bone loss around implants (peri-implantitis) can develop, particularly if cleaning is difficult. Smoking, uncontrolled diabetes and grinding raise these risks. Careful planning reduces them; it does not remove them.
What does full-arch treatment cost? We don't publish a single price, because full-arch cases vary a great deal. The cost depends mainly on how many implants are needed, whether teeth need removing or bone grafting first, the temporary and final bridge materials, whether a specialist is involved, and whether one or both jaws are treated. Your written plan itemises every stage, and treatment can sometimes be staged across calendar years to make use of annual health fund limits.
Full-arch implant FAQs
Q: How many implants are needed for a full arch? A: Usually between four and six per jaw, depending on the bone available, your bite and the type of bridge being made. Your CBCT scan and planning show how many are needed in your case, and why.
Q: How do I clean a full-arch bridge? A: The bridge stays fixed in your mouth, so you clean around and under it each day with a toothbrush and tools such as a water flosser or interdental brushes. We'll show you how. Regular professional reviews, when the bridge is sometimes removed for cleaning, matter as much as the surgery itself.
Q: How long does full-arch treatment take? A: From surgery to the final bridge usually takes around three to six months, and longer if extractions or grafting are needed first. The assessment and planning stage adds a few weeks before that. Your written plan sets out the expected timeline for your case.
Q: Can I have full-arch implants if I wear dentures now? A: Many people who have full-arch treatment have worn dentures for years. Whether it suits you depends on the bone that remains, your general health and what you'd like to achieve. An implant-retained overdenture, which clips onto two to four implants, is another option worth considering.
Q: How long does a full-arch bridge last? A: There's no fixed lifespan. With good cleaning and regular reviews, many full-arch bridges function well for many years, but they are not guaranteed for life. The bridge itself usually needs maintenance over time, such as replacing worn teeth or remaking it, and the implants need ongoing monitoring like any implant.
Q: Will my health fund contribute to full-arch treatment? A: Many extras policies contribute towards parts of the treatment, depending on your level of cover and annual limits, though the contribution is usually small compared with the total. We'll give you the item numbers from your treatment plan so you can check with your fund before you commit.
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Aesthetica Dental Studio · Suite 1/530 Lower North East Rd, Campbelltown SA 5074 · (08) 8102 0951. Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
