Full Arch Treatment: Implant Rehabilitation of the Entire Dental Arch

 

The Full Arch challenge has been present for as long as implantology itself — for over 60 years. Throughout history, complete edentulism has been addressed in many ways: bar-retained dentures, locator-retained dentures, cemented implant bridges, bone regeneration, and using 6, 8, or even 10 implants per jaw, among many other more or less successful treatment concepts.

 

In 1998, the All-on-4 concept appeared and revolutionized Full Arch therapy — from that moment on, nothing was the same. The fixed bridge solution on just four implants became the standard approach for this indication.

 

What about patients who are not candidates for All-on-4?

 

Experienced clinicians are well aware of the limitations of the All-on-4 concept and the fact that it is not always the best — or even a feasible — solution. This particularly applies to cases with severely resorbed alveolar ridges or when All-on-4 treatments have failed due to improper execution. For most dental professionals, such situations represent an unsolvable challenge — leaving removable dentures as the only option. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be that way.

 

With advanced surgical techniques and the use of specialized implants, even the most complex cases can be restored with fixed teeth.

 

IMED Full Arch Concept: A Solution for the Most Complex Cases of Edentulism

 

At the IMED Polyclinic and Day Hospital, we have developed the IMED Full Arch Concept — a fixed solution for complete edentulism, regardless of bone volume or quality.

 

This concept is based on the use of various types of specialized implants — zygomatic, pterygoid, transsinus, and transnasal implants — depending on each patient’s specific anatomy. These implants are not placed or anchored in the alveolar ridge (which is often missing), but rather in remote anchorage sites beyond the ridge. For this reason, they are much longer than standard implants (ranging from 18–55 mm) and, while commonly grouped as “long implants,” they differ significantly in type and application.

 

The surgical techniques required for their placement are highly specialized and differ from conventional implantology. Such procedures are among the most complex surgical interventions and should only be performed by the most experienced implant surgeons. They are typically carried out in our day hospital under general anesthesia or, in some cases, under conscious sedation.

 

Recovery is slightly longer than with the standard All-on-4 procedure, usually lasting 5–7 days.
Temporary fixed teeth are placed on the same day as the surgery, while the final, permanent bridge is delivered after four months.

 

IMED Full Arch Concept 3.0 — The Digital Evolution

 

A year ago, we further enhanced our IMED Full Arch Concept with full digital integration at every stage of treatment. Today, we perform these rehabilitations at the highest level of professional and technological excellence.

 

The IMED Full Arch Concept 3.0 represents the pinnacle of our expertise — it defines who we are and sets us apart from everyone else. If you’ve been told that fixed teeth are not possible in your case, visit us. We can promise you fixed teeth - always and immediately.

 

Author: Mr. sc. Marko Krmpotić, dr. med. dent., Specialist in Oral Surgery & Director of IMED Polyclinic and Day Hospital