01
Clinical assessment
Medical history, current medications, periodontal charting, occlusal analysis, photographs and a written summary of findings.
In-clinic~90 min
The process
From the first scan to the definitive bridge — phase by phase.
All-on-5 is not a same-day procedure with a same-day result. It is a sequence of decisions made from records, with a healing window in the middle that cannot be skipped.
Clinically reviewed · Last reviewed 24 May 2026 · Editorial & review
- Total elapsed
- ~4–6 months
- Trips abroad
- Typically two
- Surgical day
- 3–5 hours
- Healing window
- ~12–16 weeks
Phase 01
Records & diagnosis. The day before any decision.
02
Imaging & scans
CBCT scan of both arches, intraoral scan, panoramic radiograph if not already current. Stored to your record and shared with you.
Diagnostic~30 min
Phase 02
A written plan. Signed before anything starts.
What the plan must contain
- The justification for five implants (versus four or six).
- The planned implant brand and model, named.
- Provisional and definitive bridge materials, named separately.
- A diagnostic wax-up showing the intended tooth shape and bite.
- The maintenance schedule and warranty terms in writing.
What is not enough
- A package name without component specifics.
- A single bottom-line price with no bill of materials.
- A verbal explanation that does not appear in the document.
- A wax-up shown only on the day of surgery.
- "We'll decide on the day" for materials.
Phase 03
The surgical day. The hours, in order.
Hour 0
Sedation & numbing
Local anaesthetic to the arch. IV sedation if requested. Vitals monitored throughout.
Hour 1
Extractions
Failing teeth removed cleanly. Sockets debrided. Bone contoured as needed.
Hour 2
Implant placement
Five implants placed under guided protocol. Torque measured and recorded per implant.
Hour 3
Abutments & scan
Multi-unit abutments fitted. Digital scan or impression for the provisional bridge.
Day 2–4
Provisional fitted
Provisional bridge delivered when stability allows. Soft-diet instructions and review schedule.
Phase 04
Healing & reviews. The months that cannot be hurried.
R1
48-hour review
In-person check. Sutures, soft-tissue response, provisional bridge fit, pain management review.
Day 2~30 min
R2
Two-week review
Suture removal if not dissolving. Bite check. First professional hygiene around the provisional.
Week 2~45 min
R3
Remote check-ins
Monthly photographs and a written check by the clinical team. Issues escalated to an in-person review if found.
MonthlyRemote
Phase 05
The definitive bridge. Once integration is confirmed.
D1
Verification scan. A final scan confirms that osseointegration is complete and the abutments are stable.
D2
Try-in. A trial of the definitive bridge is fitted before final fabrication — bite, shape and colour are confirmed with you.
D3
Delivery. The definitive bridge is fitted and torqued to the implant system's specified value. Screw access holes sealed.
D4
Maintenance brief. Hygiene routine, recall schedule, warranty terms and emergency contact in writing.
Sources & further reading
- American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID). Full-arch implant reconstruction — patient resources. aaid.com
- American Dental Association (ADA). Dental implants — MouthHealthy patient guide. mouthhealthy.org
- International Team for Implantology (ITI). Consensus on full-arch fixed prostheses and immediate loading protocols. iti.org
- Glossary of Prosthodontic Terms. Definitions of cantilever, multi-unit abutment, screw-retained prosthesis, osseointegration. The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry.
- European Association for Osseointegration (EAO). Position papers on peri-implant maintenance and long-term success criteria. eao.org
- National Library of Medicine (PubMed). Searchable index of peer-reviewed implant-dentistry literature. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov