Brockley Dental Blog, Dental Implants, Dentures, Family Dentistry, Full Mouth Reconstruction, Mini Dental Implants, Restorative Dentistry

All-on-4®Alternative: Introducing Fix-on-Six® Dental Implants

All-on-4®Alternative: Introducing Fix-on-Six® Dental Implants

Dentures, and their various alternatives, such as the All-on-4® system, have long been the go-to solution to replace an entire arch of missing teeth, but did you know that denture technology goes back centuries? As far back as 2500 BC, dentures were made from animal teeth, and the installation process was (to put it lightly) not as comfortable as it is today. As technologies evolved, so did dentures. At one time, dentures were being made from bone, wood, or ivory, then hard rubber or early plastic. Today, we use acrylic or porcelain to fabricate dentures.

But the dental advancements don’t stop there—the development of dental implants allowed new teeth to be firmly attached to the jawbone, leading to a denture option known as the All-on-4® treatment. While this approach is still in use today, at Brockley Dental Center, we use the Fix-on-Six® system. This new-and-improved denture option is a superior method for replacing a full set of upper or lower teeth.

What Is All-on-4®?

The key to this denture system is in the name: “All” the teeth in a dental implant bridge are attached to approximately 4 traditional dental implants. This procedure provides good stability while allowing a full set of teeth to be replaced in a secure, straightforward manner. However, this system does come with some drawbacks.

First, it uses traditional dental implants, which require multiple visits to install and healing time between each stage of implantation. The large implants need to fully fuse to the jawbone before the denture can be mounted, extending the treatment timeline. Also, with only four support points, should one of the implants fail in any way, it would be like having one of the beams holding up the roof of your house collapse.

Thanks to advancements in implant dentistry, the All-on-4® system has been upgraded using mini dental implants. This innovative solution is called the Fix-on-Six® system.

Fix-on-Six®: The All-on-4® ReplacementMeet the All-on-4® Denture Upgrade: Fix-on-Six® | Butler, PA

Just like with its predecessor, the Fix-on-Six® system works just the way it sounds, with approximately six implants anchoring a dental bridge designed to replace a full arch of teeth. But aside from a greater number of implants, what makes the Fix-on-Six® system such an upgrade? The key is the innovation of mini dental implants. These tiny but powerful titanium posts are less than half the size of traditional implants, measuring under 3 millimeters wide. This toothpick-sized profile allows them to be placed in areas that couldn’t accommodate standard implants, such as jawbones with less density.

The bridge itself is made from Zirconia, the strongest and most durable dental replacement material available, and with the additional stability of the extra mini implants, the Fix-on-Six® system provides unparalleled comfort, fit, and security.

While you might think that having more implants placed equates to more discomfort, longer procedure times, and greater costs, the opposite is true. Keep reading to learn more.

The Mini Implant Benefit of Fix-on-Six®

In addition to the increased stability they bring to a Fix-on-Six® denture, mini dental implants provide plenty of other benefits as well:

  1. Lower cost: Who knew that a smaller size would also come with a smaller price tag? Mini implants are more cost-effective than their traditional counterparts because of their streamlined design and easy installation, which saves you money.
  2. Less invasiveness: The smaller profile and design of mini implants make their placement a much less invasive procedure, leading to a quicker installation and an overall smoother procedure.
  3. Quicker recovery: Since the procedure is less invasive, most patients are back to their normal routine within 24-48 hours.
  4. Less bone required: Because of their small size, mini implants are an option for a wider range of patients who may have suffered bone loss due to missing teeth.
  5. Fewer appointments: Traditional implants often need multiple visits spread out over many months in order to complete the process. Meanwhile, mini implants can be installed in just one appointment. Imagine, walking into our office in the morning and walking home the same day with a brand-new smile!

While mini implants do offer a lower cost than traditional implants of the All-on-4® system, we understand that any medical procedure will come with a certain amount of financial stress. At Brockley Dental Center, we’ll help you navigate the confusing maze of insurance paperwork to make sure you’re getting the most from your benefits. We also work with the healthcare lender CareCredit to offer flexible payment options that will fit your budget.

Upgrade Your Smile Today

Have you been reluctant to show off your smile due to missing teeth? Are you struggling with loose dentures? With the Fix-on-Six® treatment using mini dental implants, you can enjoy newfound confidence eating, speaking, smiling, and laughing.

At Brockley Dental Center, our experienced team, led by Dr. Donald Brockley, is here to walk you through all your denture options, help you find the solution that’s right for you, and provide expert service and care from consultation to completion. Don’t let tooth loss hold you back from the lifestyle you want. Call today to schedule a consultation and start the journey towards a confident smile once again.

Donald B. Brockley, DMD

Dr. Brockley earned his doctorate degree in Dental Medicine from the University of Pittsburgh, School of Dental Medicine in 1972. He is a second generation dentist and a legacy of the University of Pittsburgh, School of Dental Medicine where his father, Dr. Charles R. Brockley earned his doctorate in general dentistry in the year 1927. While attending the University of Pittsburgh, School of Dental Medicine, he held the office of Class Secretary for his graduating class. Following dental school, he chose to do his residency training at Wilmington Medical Center in Wilmington, Delaware, with a focus on research. Upon completing his residency, Dr. Brockley enlisted in the Navy during the Vietnam War Era as a Naval Officer. Dr. Brockley opened his own private practice 1975 in Butler, PA a historic town just 34 miles north of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. Brockley held the office of President of the Butler County Dental Society. After many years of practice, Dr. Brockley realized that fear is the #1 reason why people do not visit their dentist regularly. Therefore, he made it his mission to find an alternative way to practice (and to help his patients overcome this fear). This alternative was through Sedation Dentistry. In 1996 he became trained in Conscious Oral Sedation. This technique allowed him to treat fearful patients by gently putting them to sleep with the aid of a pill, not needle IV sedation which was the popular treatment at that time. Dr. Brockley received his dental training at the following institutions: University of Pittsburgh, School of Dental Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA Tufts University, School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA University of North Carolina, School of Dentistry, Raleigh, NC Mini Dental Implant Training Centre, Buffalo, NY. Due to the high number of patients who are diabetic in his practice, his next goal was to understand the impact of Diabetes in Dentistry. Due to the subset of Diabetic patients in his practice who had similar recurring oral and systemic health problems, special attention became warranted. This led to a different standard of care and treatment for patients whose health was compromised by diabetes. Early detection, observation, evaluation and treatment to eradicate infection plays a major role in maintaining oral health for diabetic patients. Poorly managed treatment for diabetic patients has been shown to lead to a higher risk of uncontrolled gum disease and vice versa, making prevention of gum disease the #1 priority for this subset of patients. Dr. Brockley’s research on dentistry for diabetics led him to his next specialization: the treatment and eradication of gum disease. His aim has been to change the the treatment of gum disease, also known as periodontal disease. For this reason, he designed a radically different protocol to the Soft Tissue Management (STM) program. STM treats the symptoms of gum disease, and more importantly, the underlying cause of gum disease, bacteria. Studies have shown that gum disease affects 80% of American adults. However, Dr. Brockley has observed that more than 90% of his baby boomer patients have gum disease. His unique STM protocol has shown significant success within his patient population. With patient knowledge, understanding, and cooperation, Dr. Brockley is able to arrest and manage gum disease in his practice. After perfecting his procedures for crowns, bridges, partials and dentures to replace missing teeth, the introduction of Small Diameter Implants (also known as SDI or Mini Dental Implants) into his practice has revolutionized the way Dr. Brockley practices cosmetic dentistry. Small Diameter Implants provide the possibility of full mouth restoration, multiple teeth restoration, or single tooth restoration. Small Diameter Implants can be implemented in all types of tooth and bone conditions, in all ages, and in all types of health conditions. Dr. Brockley uses Small Diameter Implants to restore chewing ability and create beautiful smiles, which ultimately changes peoples’ lives. Dr. Brockley is the proud owner and operator of the first Mini Dental Implant Center of America in the Greater Pittsburgh area. Dr. Brockley has achieved Diplomate status in the International Academy of Mini Dental Implants. He is the President Emeritus of the Butler County Dental Society. Dr. Brockley was also a Lieutenant in the US Navel Dental Core. He is a a lifetime member of the Delta Sigma Dental Fraternity, and he was the Class Secretary for the University of Pittsburgh Dental School. Dr. Brockley likes to spend time with his family at home or while traveling, has been an avid scuba diver since 1980, and describes himself as a “just okay” golfer.

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