A common question about All-on-4 is whether existing dental implants can be used as part of the full-arch restoration (All-on-X). Many patients assume that if they already have healed implants in their jawbone, it should be a simple process to incorporate them into a new full-arch prosthesis. 

The reality, however, is more complex. Transitioning existing healed dental implants—originally placed to replace single missing teeth—into implants that can support a full-arch restoration (All-on-X) is quite challenging. As a result, many of our patients in Lake Elsinore wonder if reusing a dental implant is possible, but it depends on several key factors.

Can my existing implants be used for an All-on-4?

The reasons it is difficult are as follows:

1. Implant brand may be not compatible

When it comes to dental implants, the brand or the manufacturer of the dental implants matters quite a bit. Different dental implant manufacturers have their own set of instruments or tools that are used by the dental professionals working on these implants. Some manufacturers make dental implants for single teeth, but don’t have a product line for full arch/All-on-X restorations. So, in summary, a few potential roadblocks may come up in regards to dental implant brands—the dentist may not have the right instruments to work with these implants or the implants themselves are not designed to support full arch restoration.

2. Implant positioning

Implant may be in the wrong place/location or too deep/too shallow. When this happens, there’s not enough support for full arch restoration. For the full arch restorationAll-on-X prosthesis the dental implants are traditionally placed deeper in the jaw bone in order to provide physical space needed for the full arch prosthesis. Full arch prosthesis is typically thicker than a single tooth crown in order to provide sufficient strength to the bridge and also to make the prosthesis aesthetic, especially on the upper arch. Single tooth implants are typically placed where a root of a tooth would be, which is higher than a typical All-on-X dental implant placement. This is why many patients ask, “Can All-on-4 use existing implants?” While it might be technically possible in rare cases, it is generally not advisable due to these structural differences.

3. Existing implants may be failing

If the existing implants are showing signs of failure (bone loss or implant mobility), then there is no good reason to incorporate them into the support structure for the All-on-X type of restoration. It is better to remove the failing implant (if safe and reasonable to do so) and then start from scratch, creating a brand new implant support base and the restoration on top.

It is for these reasons that in my practice I almost always do not incorporate existing implants into the All-on-X setup. I can think of only a handful of situations where I was able to utilize existing implants and connect them into the new setup successfully. Most of the time it simply cannot be done for the reasons I indicated above. Every situation is different and the decision making process requires careful consideration and evaluation of the existing condition of the implants and the planned treatment.

Looking for expert dental implant advice in Lake Elsinore? Contact us today!

You come to the right place! Dr. Tsvetov at Temecula Dental Implants & Oral Surgery will walk you through everything—implant types available, health considerations may affect the procedure, and what’s possible even with bone loss. He’ll make sure you have all the information you need to make the best decision. If you’re in Lake Elsinore or the surrounding areas, book your consultation today!