All-on-x treatment replaces a full arch of missing or failing teeth with a permanent prosthetic anchored by just four to six dental implants. This approach restores your ability to bite into firm foods, chew comfortably, and eat without restrictions that traditional dentures impose. You can stop cutting your food into tiny pieces and avoiding restaurants. All-on-x gives you back the confidence to eat what you want, when you want.
At Atlas Dental Specialists, our prosthodontists provide all-on-x solutions for patients throughout downtown Pittsburgh and Shadyside who want to regain full dental function.
Why Traditional Dentures Limit Your Diet
Traditional dentures sit on your gums and rely on suction or adhesives to stay in place. This creates multiple problems when you try to eat. The dentures shift and move as you chew, making it hard to apply proper biting force. You end up avoiding crunchy vegetables, chewy meats, and sticky foods because they either dislodge your dentures or get stuck underneath them.
The lack of stability also means you can’t generate the same chewing power you had with natural teeth. Studies show traditional denture wearers retain only about 20% of their original biting force. This limitation forces you to change your diet, often leading to poor nutrition and avoiding social meals.
How All-on-X Restores Full Chewing Function
Full mouth reconstruction with all-on-x creates a fixed prosthetic permanently attached to dental implants in your jawbone. The implants act as artificial tooth roots, transferring chewing forces directly into the bone just like natural teeth. This gives you approximately 80% of your original bite strength back.
The prosthetic doesn’t move when you eat. You can bite down firmly on an apple, tear into a steak, or crunch through raw vegetables without worry. The stability comes from strategically placing four to six implants per arch at angles to maximize support and evenly distribute pressure across your jaw.
Foods You Can Eat Again
All-on-x opens up your diet in ways traditional dentures never could. You regain the ability to enjoy meals without constant anxiety about your teeth.
- Crunchy foods: Raw carrots, apples, nuts, and crispy salads become manageable again without fear of denture damage or slippage.
- Chewy proteins: Steak, chicken, pork chops, and other meats you can bite and chew normally instead of cutting into small pieces.
- Sticky foods: Caramel, peanut butter, and chewy bread no longer pose a threat to your denture stability or comfort.
These improvements occur because your new teeth are locked in place and can withstand the same forces that natural teeth do.
The Treatment Process
The process begins with a consultation, during which your prosthodontist examines your jaw and takes 3D scans. These images show bone density and aid in planning implant placement. If your bone has deteriorated, you may need a bone graft before the procedure.
Surgery typically happens in one appointment under sedation. Your dentist places four to six implants per arch at precise angles to maximize support. In many cases, you receive a temporary prosthetic the same day, so you never go without teeth. This immediate-loading approach lets you eat soft foods right away while your implants heal and fuse to the bone over three to six months. Once healing is complete, your final prosthetic attaches to the implants, restoring full chewing function.
Long-Term Benefits Beyond Eating
The benefits extend beyond just being able to eat normally again. All-on-x prevents the bone loss that traditional dentures cause. When implants transfer chewing forces into your jawbone, the bone stays stimulated and maintains its density. This preserves your facial structure and prevents the sunken appearance many denture wearers develop.
Maintenance is straightforward. You brush twice daily and floss around the implants, just like you do with natural teeth. Regular dental checkups every six months help keep everything healthy. The prosthetic typically lasts 10 to 15 years before needing replacement, while the implants themselves can last a lifetime with proper care.
Regain Your Eating Confidence at Atlas Dental Specialists
If missing or failing teeth are preventing you from enjoying meals and limiting your diet, all-on-x offers a permanent solution. Our team provides full-service dental implant care, handling both the implant placement and prosthetic creation in one location. As prosthodontists with advanced training in dental implants and implant prosthetics, we focus on complex cases such as full arch replacement. Named after the mighty Atlas statues outside our windows, our family-owned practice has served downtown Pittsburgh for over 25 years.
Ready to eat with confidence again? Contact Atlas Dental Specialists today to schedule a consultation at our downtown Pittsburgh or Shadyside location.
