All-on-X Dental Implants in Houston, TX

If you've been told that most or all of your teeth need to come out, or you're living with a denture that shifts at the worst possible moment, All-on-X may be worth a closer look.

Dr. Barrilleaux and the team at Polish Dentistry in Houston plan these cases from the first scan through the final restoration, with sedation available at every step for patients who need it.

Most people who reach out about this have been managing the problem for a while and want to understand what their situation really is; for that, a consultation is simply a way to find out where you stand.

Call us at (713) 942-0101 to learn more.

Key Takeaways

• Four implants per arch support a full set of fixed teeth, whether you are replacing one arch or both.
• Implants are placed in a single surgical visit, and a temporary fixed arch is usually attached the same day, so most patients go home with teeth.
• Because the back implants are angled, this approach often works even when bone loss has ruled out conventional implant placement.
• Ask about sedation options at your consultation, and bring your insurance information so we can verify your benefits and walk through financing options with you.

How All-on-X Works at Polish Dentistry

Rather than replacing every missing tooth with its own implant, a small number of strategically placed implants carry the load of an entire arch. The front implants go in straight. The ones in the back are tilted, which lets them anchor into denser bone toward the front of the jaw and reach past the thinner, more resorbed areas at the back. That angle is why many patients who were told they needed extensive bone grafting can move forward with this approach instead.

1. Consultation and 3D imaging

We start with an exam and cone beam imaging, which produces a 3D scan of your jaw. It shows bone height, bone density, nerve position, and sinus anatomy, giving us everything needed to decide how many implants can be placed safely and where. You'll see the plan and the full cost before you commit to anything.

2. Surgery day

Any failing teeth in that arch are removed, the implants are placed, and the gum tissue is closed around them. Dr. Tandon, who specializes in periodontics and implant dentistry, handles the surgical side of this appointment. It's a longer visit, often several hours per arch, which is why sedation matters here. Many patients choose IV sedation and remember very little of the day.

3. The temporary arch

In most cases, a temporary fixed arch is attached the same day. It's secured to the implants rather than resting on your gums, so it stays put while you heal. It isn't the final restoration, but you go home with teeth.

4. Healing and osseointegration

Over the next several months, bone grows around the titanium implants and locks them in place. That process is called osseointegration, and it's what turns those implant posts into a stable foundation. We'll check in during this stretch to make sure everything is progressing the way it should.

5. The final arch

Once healing is confirmed, we take final records and fit your permanent arch, shaped to your bite and your face. Dr. Barrilleaux, a prosthodontist, designs and places the final restoration so the fit, function, and appearance are planned together from the start.

What Changes Once You Have It

Fixed teeth don't lift or rock

Chewing works the way it did before dentures. Food stops being something you have to plan around.

The arch stays in place

There's no adhesive to apply before a meal and no soaking it overnight. You brush it and clean underneath it with the tools we show you at your follow-up visits.

Speech tends to settle quickly as well

A removable denture that shifts changes how certain sounds come out. An arch that is anchored to implants doesn't move mid-sentence.

Is All-on-X Right for You?

Most patients asking about this in Houston are already past the point of saving their natural teeth. Widespread decay, advanced gum disease, years of deferred care, or a denture that never really fit are all common starting points.

All-on-X tends to be a good fit when:

• Most or all teeth in an arch are missing or have been recommended for extraction
• Your current denture slips, causes sore spots, or has been relined more than once
• You have been told there isn't enough bone for a conventional implant plan
• Your general health is stable enough for an oral surgical procedure
• You want something fixed rather than another appliance you take out each night

It is not the right fit for everyone. Uncontrolled diabetes, heavy smoking, untreated gum disease, or significant bone loss can all affect how well implants integrate. In some cases, we address those factors first, or we recommend implant-supported dentures as a better match for your situation. Our doctors will review your 3D scan and health history together to determine which path makes the most sense for you.

How to Prepare and Care for Your Results

Before surgery

We will review your medications and health history and let you know if anything needs adjusting beforehand. If you are having sedation, you will receive fasting instructions and will need a ride home. It helps to stock soft foods and a cold pack ahead of time. If you smoke, cutting back before and after surgery meaningfully improves how well implants integrate with the bone.

The first two weeks

Swelling and soreness tend to peak in the first few days and ease from there. Stick to soft foods while the tissue heals, and follow the rinse and medication instructions closely. Call our Houston office at (713) 942-0101 if bleeding does not stop, swelling increases after day three, or pain worsens rather than improving.

Long-term care

A fixed arch is cleaned a little differently than natural teeth. The area under the bridge needs daily attention with a water flosser, floss threaders, or the specific tools we recommend. Regular professional cleanings help keep the gum tissue around the implants healthy. The main long-term risk is peri-implantitis, which is inflammation around an implant, and catching it early makes it much easier to address. Kept clean and monitored, implants can last many years. The restoration on top may need repair or replacement at some point, and that is completely normal.

What All-on-X Costs and How to Pay for It

We don't publish a set price for All-on-X, because the cost depends on the details of your case. Several factors shape the final number:

• Whether you are restoring one arch or both
• How many extractions are needed and how complex they are
• Whether bone or sinus grafting is required before implant placement
• The sedation option you choose
• The material of your final restoration, which is available in different tiers

You will receive a written treatment plan with the full cost at your consultation, before anything is scheduled. Dental insurance rarely covers full-arch implant treatment outright, though some plans contribute toward extractions or anesthesia.

We accept a wide range of plans, including Cigna, Humana, Aetna, Delta Dental, MetLife, United Healthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Guardian, and we will verify your benefits for you. Financing is available, and for patients without insurance, our in-house membership plan covers routine care at a reduced rate.

Why Patients Choose Polish Dentistry for All-on-X

Full-arch implant treatment sits at the intersection of surgery and prosthetics, and the best outcomes happen when those two sides work together from the start. Dr. Barrilleaux is a prosthodontist, the specialty focused on replacing teeth and designing how a full arch fits, functions, and looks.

Dr. Tandon specializes in periodontics and implant dentistry, handling the surgical side of placement. Having both under one roof means the plan is designed and carried out by the same team, with no handoffs between offices and no gaps in communication.

Many patients who come to us about All-on-X have put off dental care for years, and we understand why. Anxiety, embarrassment, and not knowing where to start are all real barriers.

At Polish Dentistry, we offer nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, and IV sedation so that a multi-hour appointment does not have to feel that way. We also use cone beam imaging, intraoral cameras, and digital radiography, so you can see exactly what we are seeing and understand the plan before anything is scheduled.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I leave surgery with teeth that same day?

In most cases, yes. A temporary fixed arch is attached the same day and stays in place while the implants integrate with the bone. The permanent arch comes later, once healing is confirmed.

How much discomfort should I expect afterward?

You won't feel the surgery itself with sedation and local anesthesia in place. Afterward, expect some soreness and swelling for several days, which is generally manageable with the medication we prescribe. If anxiety is part of what has kept you from treatment, our sedation options include nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, and IV sedation, so you can choose the level of comfort that feels right for you.

Can I still be a candidate if I have significant bone loss?

Often, yes. The 3D scan measures bone height and width at each planned implant site, how dense that bone is, and how close the nerve and sinus sit to where an implant would go. What tends to rule a case out is severe loss in the front of the jaw, since that is the area the design depends on, or an active gum infection that needs treating first. When the scan shows the front of the jaw is thin, Dr. Barrilleaux and Dr. Tandon will talk through bone grafting, a sinus lift, or a different option that fits your situation better.

How long do implants typically last?

Results vary from person to person. Well-integrated implants that are kept clean and monitored can last many years. The restoration attached to them may need repair or replacement at some point, which is a normal part of long-term care.

What is the difference between All-on-4 and All-on-X?

All-on-X is the broader term for full-arch implant treatment. All-on-4 refers specifically to cases where four implants support the arch. Some arches may need five or six implants depending on bone quality and how the bite distributes load. Your doctors will determine the right number for your situation based on your 3D scan.

Do my remaining teeth need to be removed at a separate office first?

No. Keeping everything in one place means there is no referral to chase and no waiting weeks for a second office to have an opening. It also means the surgeon placing the implants and the prosthodontist designing your arch are working from the same plan, which matters for how the final result fits and functions.

Ready to Find Out If All-on-X Is Right for You?

You don't have to make any decisions before coming in. A consultation gives you a 3D look at your jaw, a clear answer on whether All-on-X is realistic for your situation, and a written treatment plan with the full cost. You'll also have time to talk through sedation options and payment before anything is scheduled. If a different approach fits better, such as implant-supported dentures, Dr. Barrilleaux and Dr. Tandon will tell you that too.

Call Polish Dentistry at (713) 942-0101 to schedule your consultation.

We're located at 215 Westheimer Rd, Suite 200, in Houston, and we're currently accepting new patients.