Dental Implant Procedures Compared
Individual Dental Implants vs. Full Mouth Restorations: Choosing the Right Solution for Your Smile
TLDR: Individual dental implants replace single teeth one-by-one, while full mouth restorations like All-on-4 and All-on-6 replace entire arches with fewer implants. Your choice depends on how many teeth you're missing, your budget, timeline, and oral health condition.
When facing significant tooth loss, patients often find themselves overwhelmed by the various dental implant options available. Understanding the fundamental differences between individual dental implant procedures and full mouth restoration techniques like All-on-4 and All-on-6 is crucial for making an informed decision about your oral health.

At St. Lucie Center of Cosmetic Dentistry, we help patients navigate these important decisions every day. Whether you're missing one tooth or need a complete smile transformation, our experienced team can guide you toward the solution that best fits your unique situation, lifestyle, and goals.
This comprehensive guide will explore the key differences between individual implant procedures and full mouth restoration options, helping you understand which approach might be right for your specific needs.
Individual Dental Implants: The Traditional Approach
Individual dental implants represent the gold standard for single tooth replacement. This approach involves placing one implant for each missing tooth, creating the most anatomically correct restoration possible.
Single Tooth Implant
One implant replaces one tooth
Multiple Individual Implants
Each missing tooth gets its own implant
Custom Crowns
Each implant receives an individual crown
How Individual Implants Work:
- Surgical Placement: Each titanium implant is surgically placed into the jawbone
- Osseointegration: 3-6 months healing period allows bone to fuse with implant
- Abutment Placement: Connector piece is attached to the implant
- Crown Attachment: Custom crown is secured to complete the restoration
✅ Advantages
- Most natural feeling and function
- Independent cleaning like natural teeth
- Preserves maximum bone structure
- Each tooth individually replaceable
- Best long-term prognosis
- Can be staged over time
⚠️ Considerations
- Higher cost for multiple teeth
- Longer treatment timeline
- More surgical procedures
- Requires adequate bone for each implant
- Not suitable for patients with significant bone loss
Individual implants are ideal for patients missing one to several teeth who have adequate bone structure and prefer the most natural restoration possible. For detailed information about our individual implant services, visit our dental implant restoration page.
Full Mouth Restorations: All-on-4 and All-on-6 Solutions
Full mouth dental implant restorations represent a revolutionary approach to replacing entire arches of teeth using fewer implants than traditional methods. These techniques can restore a full smile with just 4-6 implants per arch.

All-on-4 Implants
Four strategically placed implants support a full arch of 12-14 teeth
Key Features:
- 4 implants per arch
- Angled posterior implants
- Often avoids bone grafting
- Same-day teeth possible
- Lower cost option
✅ Benefits
- Fewer implants needed
- Lower overall cost
- Faster treatment
- Immediate function
⚠️ Limitations
- Less support than All-on-6
- May not suit all cases
- Fixed restoration only
All-on-6 Implants
Six implants provide enhanced support and stability for full arch restoration
Key Features:
- 6 implants per arch
- Enhanced stability
- Better force distribution
- Suitable for more cases
- Superior long-term prognosis
✅ Benefits
- Maximum stability
- Better bite force
- More durable
- Backup support
⚠️ Limitations
- Higher cost
- More surgery required
- May need bone grafting
Our practice offers comprehensive All-on-4 solutions in multiple locations, including Port St. Lucie, Stuart, and Jensen Beach, making this transformative treatment accessible throughout the Treasure Coast region.
Ready to Explore Your Options?
Schedule a consultation to discover which implant solution is right for your unique situation and goals.
Schedule Online NowSide-by-Side Comparison: Individual vs. Full Mouth Restorations
Factor | Individual Implants | All-on-4 | All-on-6 |
---|---|---|---|
Number of Implants | 1 per missing tooth | 4 per arch | 6 per arch |
Treatment Time | 3-9 months per implant | 1 day to 6 months | 1 day to 6 months |
Cost (Per Arch) | $24,000-$60,000+ | $15,000-$30,000 | $20,000-$35,000 |
Bone Requirements | Adequate at each site | Moderate (angles avoid grafts) | Good to excellent |
Surgical Complexity | Multiple procedures | Single procedure | Single procedure |
Maintenance | Like natural teeth | Specialized cleaning | Specialized cleaning |
Longevity | Lifetime with care | 15-25 years | 20-30+ years |
Function | 100% natural | 85-90% natural | 90-95% natural |
Which Option is Right for You?
The best choice depends on several key factors that our team will evaluate during your consultation:
1-3 teeth: Individual implants
4-8 teeth: Consider both options
9+ teeth: Full mouth restoration
Higher budget: Individual implants
Moderate budget: All-on-4
Maximum value: All-on-6
No rush: Individual implants
Faster results: All-on-4/6
Immediate teeth: Same-day options
Excellent bone: Any option
Moderate bone: All-on-4