Three ways to replace a full arch
Replacing most or all of the teeth in an arch is a bigger decision than replacing one tooth, and the options differ mainly in two ways: what holds the teeth in place, and whether they come out.
| Option | What holds it | Removable? |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional denture | Rests on the gums. No implant surgery. | Yes |
| Snap-on denture | Clicks onto two or more implants. | Yes, for cleaning at home |
| Fixed full arch | Secured to four to six implants. | Only by the dentist |
Conventional dentures
A conventional denture is a removable set of teeth that rests on the gums. There is no implant surgery involved, which is the main reason people choose it, and it comes out for cleaning.
The trade-off is time. After a tooth comes out, the bone under it starts to thin, and a denture that rests on that ridge follows the changes. A bridge or denture gets redone over a lifetime, so a conventional denture is best thought of as something that is adjusted and replaced as the mouth changes.
Snap-on dentures (implant-retained)
A snap-on denture, also called an implant-retained denture or overdenture, sits on two or more implants. It clicks into place and is held by the implants rather than by suction or adhesive. It still comes out, which makes cleaning at home straightforward.
It sits between the other two options: more secure than a denture that rests on the gums, and still removable like one.
Fixed full arch (All-on-4, All-on-X)
A fixed full arch is a complete set of teeth secured to four to six implants. It stays in and is taken out only by the dentist, so it is cleaned in place rather than taken out at home. All-on-4 and All-on-X are the names most people search for this option; they describe the same idea, a full arch held by a small number of implants.
What decides between them
The deciding factor is usually the bone. Implants need bone to hold, and a 3D cone-beam scan shows how much there is along the arch. That is why the choice is made against your own scan rather than from a brochure. How you want to care for the teeth matters too: some people prefer a denture they can take out, and others want teeth that stay in.
Why it starts with a consultation
Every full-arch and denture case at In Line Dentistry starts the same way: an exam and 3D scan review with Dr. James Chon, DMD. He shows you the bone support on the scan, walks through the snap-on, fixed and conventional options for your mouth, and answers your questions before you decide anything.
Dr. Chon tells you what he recommends and plainly whether your case is treated here or by a specialist he refers you to, so you know the next step. If it is treated here, you get an itemized written price before anything starts. The full-arch and dentures page covers the consultation in full.
Dr. Chon sees patients on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and the office answers calls and books appointments Monday through Saturday. The consultation can be held in English, Spanish, Korean or Vietnamese.
Cost and paying for it
Full-arch treatment has no published price, because every mouth is different: the number of implants, the bone the scan shows and the type of arch all change it. If your case is treated here, you get an itemized written price before anything starts. The published prices for everything else are on the pricing page.
Financing is available on approved credit through CareCredit, Affirm, Klarna, Afterpay, Sunbit, LendingClub and Proceed Finance, and the lender sets the terms. See how financing works, or the guide to choosing a financing partner. If you have dental insurance, In Line is in-network with eight major PPO carriers (listed on the insurance page), and other PPO plans are welcome out-of-network: you pay the practice, In Line files your claim the same day, and your insurer reimburses you, with an estimate beforehand. The insurance page explains the process.
When it is one tooth, or a few
Where only one tooth or a short run is missing, the answer is usually a single implant rather than an arch. Dr. Chon places and restores single implants himself, with no referral out. The dental implants page explains the process, and the guide to what a dental implant costs sets out the published price.