For patients facing the loss of their natural teeth, full-arch implant solutions, such as All On 4 dental implants, have gained widespread recognition. The concept of “teeth in a day” has been transformative for those with advanced bone loss or terminal dentition, restoring confidence, function, and esthetics in a single coordinated procedure.
However, not all patients arrive with severe bone loss or collapsed oral architecture. Many individuals still maintain healthy alveolar bone and natural gingival contours despite failing dentition. In such cases, removing otherwise healthy bone to accommodate a prosthesis is not always the most conservative or ideal approach.
At Portland Perio Implant Center, our philosophy is simple: preserve what nature has given whenever possible. That is why our preferred treatment of choice, whenever the anatomy allows, is the FP1 prosthesis—a solution designed to maintain natural bone and soft-tissue architecture while delivering a fixed, full-arch replacement that looks, feels, and functions like natural teeth.
What Is An FP1 Prosthesis?
The term FP1 refers to a fixed, full-arch prosthesis designed to replace only the teeth, with the restoration emerging naturally from the gums. This differs significantly from FP3 (hybrid prostheses, such as All On 4 dental implants), which replace both teeth and soft tissue using prosthetic pink material.
Once gum disease takes hold, it can cause bone loss around the teeth, gum recession, and eventually tooth loss. Smokers may not even notice the early signs because nicotine masks bleeding and inflammation, making it harder to detect problems until they are advanced.
Characteristics of FP1 Prosthesis
Why This Matters for Patients
FP1 prostheses appear more natural, feel slimmer, and facilitate easier cleaning. Patients adapt more quickly because the prosthesis resembles their own dentition rather than a bulky hybrid. For patients with high smile lines, FP1 also avoids the esthetic challenges of exposing artificial pink material during speech or smiling.
Why Not All On 4 Dental Implants in Low Bone Loss Cases?
The All On 4 concept has been a game-changer for patients with severe bone loss, but when applied to patients who still retain good bone height, it has drawbacks:
In short, All On 4 dental implants can be unnecessarily destructive for patients who still have preserved bone and soft tissue.
Benefits of FP1 Prosthesis: Preserving Nature Where Possible
Where All On 4 Dental Implants Shine
It is important to acknowledge that All On 4 dental implants continue to be an excellent treatment option for many patients with advanced dentition and significant bone loss. Following is where the All On 4 shines:
At Portland Perio Implant Center, we offer both All On 4 dental implants and FP1 treatments, tailoring solutions to each patient’s unique anatomy, aesthetic demands, and long-term goals.
In-House Digital Design & Production at Portland Perio Implant Center
One of the defining features of our approach to FP1 therapy is our fully integrated in-house laboratory. This allows us to provide patients with unparalleled precision, efficiency, and customization.
Our Digital Workflow
Why In-House Matters for Patients
This in-house capability is a cornerstone of our FP1 philosophy: preserving bone and tissue while delivering the most natural, precise, and personalized solution possible.
The Takeaway
While All On 4 dental implants have transformed lives and remain the gold standard for patients with advanced bone loss, they not the only path forward. For those with preserved alveolar bone and healthy gingival architecture, the FP1 prosthesis offers a more conservative, natural, and bone-preserving alternative.
At Portland Perio Implant Center, FP1 is our preferred treatment of choice whenever anatomy allows. By combining surgical expertise, prosthetic precision, and our fully digital, in-house design and production workflow, we provide patients with dental restorations that preserve what nature has given—while restoring comfort, confidence, and esthetics for years to come.
