Full-Arch Fixed Teeth in Two Trips to Brasília

ByDr. Evandro Osterne Filho

Full-arch fixed teeth replace a whole row of teeth with a bridge that is screwed onto a few implants. For most patients, it takes two trips to Brasília: about 5 to 7 days for the first, then about 5 days for the second. Here is what happens on each trip and in the months between.

What are full-arch fixed teeth?

A full-arch bridge is a complete set of upper or lower teeth attached to implants. You do not take it out at night, as you would with a denture. Only your dentist can remove it, usually for cleaning or repair.

You may have heard the name “All-on-4.” It describes one way to do this: four implants hold the whole arch. Some patients need five or six implants instead. The right number depends on your bone, your bite and your health.

This treatment is often a good fit for people who:

  • have lost most or all teeth in one jaw,
  • have teeth that cannot be saved, or
  • wear a loose denture and want something fixed.

What happens on the first trip?

The first trip usually lasts 5 to 7 days.

  • Day 1: full exam, 3D imaging (CBCT, a scan that shows your bone in three dimensions) and a 3D intraoral scan of your mouth. You receive your final plan in writing.
  • Treatment day: any teeth that cannot be saved are removed, and the implants are placed. Sedation is available for suitable cases.
  • Following days: in most cases, a fixed temporary bridge is not placed on the first trip. The implants need time to bond with the bone first. Dr. Evandro explains on day 1 what to expect during healing and gives you clear recommendations for the months at home.
  • Check visit: before you fly home, Dr. Evandro checks your bite and healing.

Dr. Evandro has placed more than 10,000 implants and has experience with complex cases and full-mouth rehabilitation. Even so, he makes the final call on the plan only after the in-person exam.

What happens while I heal at home?

Between trips, your bone bonds to the implants. The interval between the first and second trip is usually 3 to 6 months.

During this time:

  • you follow Dr. Evandro’s recommendations for the healing period,
  • you follow a softer diet at first, as instructed,
  • you keep the area clean with the tools and steps we show you, and
  • you stay in touch with the clinic for remote follow-up.

If something feels wrong, you contact us. Read more in what happens if I have a problem after I fly home.

What happens on the second trip?

The second trip usually lasts about 5 days.

  • A new digital scan records the position of your implants.
  • Your final bridge is designed and made. It is often made of zirconia, a very strong, tooth-colored ceramic.
  • You try it in, and Dr. Evandro adjusts the fit, the bite and the look.
  • The final bridge is screwed in place.

Before you leave, you receive your records in English. They include the implant brand and lot numbers, so any dentist can know what is in your mouth.

How long do full-arch bridges last?

Studies give averages, not promises. One long-term study of lower-jaw All-on-4 cases found about 99 in 100 fixed bridges still in use after 10 to 18 years (Maló et al., 2019). Your own result depends on your health, habits (such as smoking or grinding), home care and regular checkups.

For more numbers, see how long implants and veneers last.

Key takeaways

  • Full-arch fixed teeth are a complete arch attached to implants, not a removable denture.
  • Most patients need two trips: about 5 to 7 days, then about 5 days.
  • In most cases, fixed temporary teeth are not placed on the first trip; you receive clear recommendations for the healing period.
  • The final plan is made in person on day 1 in Brasília.
  • Long-term studies are encouraging, but results vary from person to person.

Questions patients ask

Will I leave the first trip with fixed teeth?
In most cases, no. Fixed teeth come on the second trip, after the implants heal. On day 1, Dr. Evandro explains what to expect in your case and how to manage the months in between.

Can I eat normally?
During healing, you follow a softer diet, as instructed. With the final bridge, most people eat a wide range of foods. You will get clear instructions.

How do I clean fixed teeth?
You brush them and clean under the bridge with a water flosser or special floss. Regular professional cleanings are important.

Tell us about your smile and schedule a pre-visit video call with Dr. Evandro. Start here.

About the author

Dr. Evandro César Vidal Osterne Filho, Dentist (Cirurgião-Dentista), CRO/DF 7172, Clinical Director of Onne Odontologia in Águas Claras, Brasília.

  • Registered specialist in Implant Dentistry, Orthodontics, Functional Jaw Orthopedics and Halitosis with Brazil’s Federal Council of Dentistry (CFO)
  • Experienced in complex cases and full-mouth rehabilitation
  • Postgraduate training: Orthodontics (3 years), Implant Dentistry (2 years), Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (1-year advanced course), Functional Jaw Orthopedics (1 year)
  • More than 10,000 dental implants placed over 22 years of practice
  • Former professor at the University of Brasília (UnB) for two years; instructor in postgraduate courses that train dentists to place implants
  • Dental auditor for health plans, reviewing treatment plans from other clinics
  • Master’s in Digital Dentistry with a focus on Artificial Intelligence, Harold Gillies University, Florida (in progress)
  • Speaks fluent English and sees every international patient personally

Verify his license: website.cfo.org.br/consulta-inscritos
Clinic website: onneodontologia.com.br

Sources

This article is educational and does not replace an in-person dental evaluation. Results vary from person to person. Dr. Evandro César Vidal Osterne Filho, Dentist (Cirurgião-Dentista), CRO/DF 7172.