Comparing Your Options
All-on-4 Alternatives
Understanding all your options helps you make the best decision for your smile, health, and lifestyle.
Exploring the Alternatives to All-on-4
All-on-4 is a popular treatment clinicians perform for full arch teeth replacement, but it comes with its limitations. Alternative treatments include Implant Bridges, FP1 & FP2 options.
In implant dentistry, FP1 and FP2 are fixed, screw-retained classifications set by the American College of Prosthodontists (ACP) used for full-arch restorations. They differ based on the amount of bone and gum tissue loss, affecting how the final prosthetic teeth are designed to emerge from the gums.
FP1 (Functional Prosthetic 1)
Design
Replaces only the missing teeth (crowns), not the gum tissue. The prosthetic margin follows the patient's natural gum line.
Requirements
Requires healthy bone and soft tissue levels with no noticeable recession or shrinkage.
Result
Provides the most lifelike, "natural-looking" results without the need for artificial pink acrylic or porcelain.
FP2 (Functional Prosthetic 2)
Design
Replaces missing teeth along with a portion of the tooth root. Involves elongated clinical crowns to make up for tissue recession, but no artificial gingiva.
Requirements
Appropriate for moderate bone loss or minor gum recession.
Implant Bridges — FP1/FP2 Versus All-on-4
Implant bridges use dental implants as anchors instead of natural teeth, when a patient loses natural dentition in the upper or lower jaw. This can be done as one continuous piece or in three pieces.
| Feature | Implant Bridge — FP1/FP2 | All-on-4 / All-on-X |
|---|---|---|
| Feel | Feels like natural dentition | Large and bulkier than natural dentition |
| Bone removal | Very minimal bone removal done, when smile line is ideal and patient presents with no prior bone loss but bad teeth | Some amount of bone removal is needed |
| Implant placement | Need precision implant placement, mandatory for patients to have good bone volume and density | Implants are placed at available bone areas and at different angles |
| Cost & time | More expensive and longer treatment time | Less expensive and shorter treatment time |
| Hygiene | Easy to clean, similar to natural teeth | Extra hygiene measures like water picking is needed |
| Gum appearance | No artificial pink gum | Artificial pink gum needed |
All-on-6 design
FP1/FP2 design
Dr. Devi's Implant Bridge Case Example — FP2
Dr. Devi's All-on-4 Case Example
Showing how All-on-4 prosthesis looks inside the mouth
Not Sure Which Option Is Right for You?
Dr. Devi will evaluate your bone volume, gum health, and goals to recommend the best full-arch solution for your unique situation.
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