full-arch implant prosthesis
A fixed or removable implant-supported dental restoration that replaces an entire dental arch — either maxillary, mandibular, or both — typically supported by four to six implants.
Full Definition
A full-arch implant prosthesis (FAIP) is an implant-supported restoration designed to rehabilitate an edentulous or soon-to-be edentulous jaw with a full complement of teeth. Common protocols include the 'All-on-4' and 'All-on-6' designs, in which four or six strategically placed implants support a fixed hybrid prosthesis. The term 'full-arch' should be hyphenated as a compound modifier. Brand-specific protocol names such as 'All-on-4' (Nobel Biocare) are trademarked and should be distinguished from the generic concept of full-arch rehabilitation. Editors must capitalise trademarked protocol names and use them only when the specific branded protocol is described.
Usage
Usage note: Hyphenate 'full-arch' when attributive. Reserve branded names (All-on-4®, All-on-6®) for cases where the specific proprietary protocol is described. Use the generic term 'full-arch implant prosthesis' or 'full-arch rehabilitation' otherwise.
In Context
- "The patient received a mandibular full-arch implant prosthesis supported by six endosseous implants, delivering a fixed hybrid acrylic restoration." — Full-arch rehabilitation report
- "The author used 'All-on-4' generically to describe any tilted four-implant design; the editor recommended replacing with the non-proprietary term 'full-arch implant prosthesis' where the Nobel Biocare protocol was not specifically used." — Manuscript editing note