Estimated read time: 6-7 minutes
A full-mouth dental implant technique known as 3 on 6 developed over a decade ago at Smile Clinic in Midvale is catching the attention of patients and clinicians around the world.
For decades, people facing full-mouth tooth loss have been steered toward the same handful of solutions: dentures, conventional implants, or the now-familiar All-on-4 or All-on-X.
Why is this Utah-developed procedure growing in popularity? Clinicians and patients of the 3 on 6 say they chose it over other options because it offers more natural-feeling teeth, easier and more affordable maintenance, and better long-term health benefits.
The popularity of this advanced procedure has led to hundreds of people flying from other states and even other countries to receive 3 on 6 dental implants at Smile Clinic in Utah.
A better alternative to All-on-4
After Dr. Randy Roberts had placed thousands of implants, he began seeing more patients who wanted all of their teeth replaced. "I'd see very expensive treatment plans where the plan was to cut out healthy bone and replace it with an artificial prosthetic. It didn't make sense."
In 2013, Roberts got an office visit from his cousin. His teeth were failing and his dentist had recommended an All-on-4. Roberts felt that this was not an acceptable solution for his cousin.
After their conversation, Roberts began developing the 3 on 6 concept. "I didn't want to cut healthy bone out of my patient's mouths and I didn't see any other options on the market, so I created a solution."
Roberts went to work, developing a solution that could replace the teeth without a bulky denture and without any harmful bone or tissue reduction. His research and development led him back to basic dental principles and a more natural approach: just replacing the teeth. In 2014, he debuted this treatment on his cousin, which consisted of three bridges secured to six implants, and he called it 3 on 6.
The procedure allowed his cousin to have teeth that felt real; he could eat anything he wanted and didn't have to remove it to get cleaned. Best of all, he wasn't embarrassed if someone took a close look at his mouth.
Innovation from compassion
Roberts concedes that full arch dental restoration is complex and understands why many dental providers continue to offer All-on-4 as the primary treatment recommendation when there are better options available.
"I learned that my colleagues that are still prescribing All-on-4 do it primarily because it is easier for them. It requires less skill and is a quicker surgery, even though it causes irreversible bone and tissue loss to the patient."
While the All-on-4 is still a common option for most patients, Roberts says there are many factors patients may not be aware of when replacing their teeth. This includes the cost of cleanings and repairs, long-term bone health, as well as natural function and feel. The 3 on 6 is superior in almost every way to the All-on-4. It's healthier for your bone and gums, it looks and feels more natural, and it's less expensive to maintain, Roberts says.
Natural feel, natural function
The 3 on 6 bridges are designed to sit right against the natural gumline without artificial pink gum material. That means patients report a lighter, more comfortable bite, easier speech and the ability to clean their teeth at home like normal with brushing and flossing instead of needing special tools or professional removal.
"I was nervous about having something big and fake in my mouth, but this feels like my natural teeth," says Tom, 63, who had a 3 on 6 restoration placed last year. "I can eat anything I want, I talk normally, and I got to keep my real gums. There's nothing to hide under my lips."
Sarah, a 38-year-old patient who traveled to Smile Clinic from Michigan to have the 3 on 6 procedure, shares why the 3 on 6 was the better choice for her.
"I didn't want something that always reminded me that I had fake teeth. I love the 3 on 6 because I forget that these aren't my real teeth. They're easy to take care of and I just don't even really think about my teeth anymore, other than how much I love my smile!"
Preserving bone and long-term health
Another major advantage of 3 on 6 is its approach to bone preservation. Beyond the bone removal with traditional All-on-4 restorations, the prosthetic also reduces the chewing and stimulating forces that transfer through to the jawbone. When this occurs, it causes the bone to atrophy and shrink.
The 3 on 6 treatment is designed to increase jawbone stimulation. It achieves this by putting segmented bridges in the mouth that can receive individual chewing pressures. Those pressures transfer into the jawbone and stimulate the bone, keeping it healthy and strong.
"Bone health isn't something people think about until it's too late," says Dr. Logan Locke, another 3 on 6 provider at Smile Clinic, and the director of the 3 on 6 training institute. "The 3 on 6 protocol gives us a way to restore function without sacrificing the very foundation of the smile, which is the bone itself. Bone loss is what caused the teeth to fail in the first place, and we believe in reversing that process, not accelerating it."
Who should consider 3 on 6?
Roberts and Locke stress that while 3 on 6 is the best solution, it isn't always the right solution. Every patient is unique, and All-on-4 can still be the better option in certain cases of severe bone loss.
"We want patients to have all of their options," Locke says. "Most dentists will only present the All-on-4 because they are incapable and uncertified to perform 3 on 6. If you're considering full mouth dental implants, you owe it to yourself to at least get a free second opinion about the 3 on 6. We offer those treatments in our office, as well as veneers and crowns and can recommend whichever is best to get you the functional and beautiful smile of your dreams."
To help patients know they stand behind their treatment, Smile Clinic in Utah also offers a limited lifetime guarantee, covering issues such as implant failure or bridge adjustments.
As technology and techniques have advanced, the perception that All-on-4 is the preferred option is shifting. For many, 3 on 6 isn't just an alternative; it's become the gold standard. If you'd like to see if 3 on 6 is right for you, Smile Clinic offers free consultations. Call or text (385) 600-5534 to set up a free, no obligation consultation with Roberts or Locke.
