- Arch treated
- Upper
- Starting point
- Old All-on-4, told “not enough bone”
- Implants
- 4 + 2 pterygoid
- Final bridge
- Zirconia
- Placed & restored by
- Dr. Advani
- Warranty
- 10 years on zirconia
Where she started
Edyta wasn't new to dental implants. She came to us with an All-on-4 from years earlier. Over time, her upper bridge had worn down and stained, especially along the gum line, and the implants underneath needed to be replaced.
The problem: she'd been told she didn't have enough bone to fix it. Bone shrinks over the years, and the back of the upper jaw often has the least left, right where a full-arch bridge needs support.
Starting fresh on top
A 3D CT scan showed where usable bone remained. Instead of relying only on bone that had already shrunk away, Dr. Advani used remote anchorage: implants anchored in dense bone farther back, where it's still strong. He rebuilt her upper jaw this way:
- Removed the old upper bridge and implants and placed 4 new implants with X-Nav 3D navigation.
- Added 2 pterygoid implants, anchored in dense bone behind the upper molars, to support the back of the bridge without months of bone grafting.
- Attached fixed temporary teeth while everything healed.
- Kept her lower implant bridge, which was still doing its job. The plan focused on the arch that needed it.
Patients and other dentists turn to Dr. Advani for cases like this, where a standard All-on-4 isn't possible and remote anchorage is needed.
The final smile
After healing, Edyta received her final zirconia bridge: strong, stain-resistant, and backed by our 10-year warranty. Dr. Advani designed and delivered it himself, the same doctor who placed her implants. Curious what makes implant teeth look real?
Watch Edyta share her experience, from her old bridge to her new zirconia smile.
Could this be you?
- You already have implants, but the bridge on top is worn, stained or loose.
- Your older implants are failing or causing problems.
- You've been told you don't have enough bone to fix or redo your implants. Here's what's possible.
- You want teeth that look natural again, made of zirconia instead of acrylic.
Learn more about full mouth dental implants, see pricing and financing, or read the recovery timeline.
Quick answers
Can an old implant bridge be replaced?
Yes. Older implant bridges can wear, stain or break over time. Depending on the condition of the implants underneath, the bridge can be remade or, as in Edyta's case, the old implants can be replaced with new ones and a new bridge attached.
Why zirconia instead of acrylic?
Zirconia is much stronger and resists staining far better than acrylic, so it keeps its color and shape for years. At Advani Implant Institute, zirconia bridges come with a 10-year warranty.
I was told I don't have enough bone to redo my implants. Is that the final word?
Often not. Edyta was told the same thing. Techniques like pterygoid implants anchor in dense bone behind the upper molars, which can support a full-arch bridge without months of bone grafting. A 3D CT scan shows what's possible.
What are pterygoid implants?
Implants anchored in the dense pterygoid bone behind the upper molars. They are a form of remote anchorage that supports the back of an upper bridge when there isn't enough bone there.
Do I need to redo both jaws?
Not always. Edyta's lower implant bridge was still working well, so only her upper jaw was treated. Each arch is evaluated on its own.
Edyta gave verbal and written permission to share her photos, video and story. Patients featured in our Smile Story program may receive a treatment discount in exchange for sharing their photos and videos. Photos are unretouched apart from cropping. Individual results vary, and your treatment plan depends on your own anatomy and health.