Timeline of the Evolution of Full-Mouth Dental Implants

Full-mouth fixed implant treatment has evolved drastically over the past 25 years—from bulky prosthetics with limited esthetic appeal to the advanced, sophisticated Vitality Teeth® system. The Vitality Teeth® state-of-the-art approach features zirconia prosthetics over zirconia implants, combined with a longevity health philosophy that goes far beyond simple tooth replacement.

Key milestones mark this progression: the introduction of the first full-mouth same-day fixed prosthesis called Novum® in 2000, followed by the turning point for this treatment protocol—the All-on-4® system in 2004, which brought widespread popularity to immediate full-mouth implant dentistry.

Vitality Teeth®, introduced in 2025, has elevated full-mouth fixed immediate implant treatment to the next level by uniting all the benefits of modern implant dentistry with longevity health principles. The Vitality Teeth® protocol goes beyond replacing teeth—it's a philosophy of personalized full-mouth dental implants designed for timeless living and lasting longevity health.

In this blog, we'll explore the progression of full-mouth fixed immediate implant treatment over the past 25 years.

2000

The first fixed immediate full-mouth implant treatment protocol was introduced in 2000 with the Novum® system, developed by a Swedish team of implantologists. This innovative approach supported a full set of teeth with only three Nobel Biocare™ titanium implants.

While the Novum® system was a breakthrough from a functional standpoint, it fell short esthetically—the visible titanium components created an unnatural appearance that limited patient satisfaction.

2003

The same Swedish team of implantologists introduced the Teeth-in-an-Hour™ protocol in 2003, marking the beginning of guided surgery for full-mouth immediate implant treatment. Despite this innovative leap toward precision planning, the protocol had significant limitations that prevented it from prevalence, and it was eventually phased out.

2004

The All-on-4® full-mouth fixed immediate implant protocol was introduced in the United States in 2004 and should be considered a true turning point for same-day full-mouth implant treatment. Developed by Paulo Malo, a Portuguese implantologist, All-on-4® gained popularity in immediate implant dentistry, making it accessible to a much broader patient base.

The treatment protocol involves the strategic placement of four implants: two anterior (front) implants positioned parallel to each other, and two posterior (back) implants placed at angles up to 30 degrees. This non-axial angulation of the posterior implants is key to the system's success. The biomechanical concept behind this implant arrangement is borrowed from construction engineering—specifically the Queen Post or Inverted Truss design—which maximizes support while minimizing the number of support points needed.

Since its introduction, All-on-4 has evolved into various modified protocols collectively known as All-on-X. In these adaptations, "X" represents a variable number of implants (typically more than four), with the anterior implants remaining parallel while the terminal (most posterior) implants retain their angled, non-axial placement.

2010

Dr. Hamid Shafie introduced an alternative full-mouth fixed immediate implant protocol that departed from the All-on-4® approach by utilizing all parallel implants—eliminating the need for angled placement. This system supported a full set of lower teeth with a minimum of five implants and a full set of upper teeth with a minimum of six implants. This protocol was later branded as TeethXpress® by BioHorizons® implant company and gained significant traction in the implant dentistry community.

2025

Dr. Shafie later introduced the Vitality Teeth® protocol, marking a fundamental paradigm shift in full-mouth implant dentistry. Up to this point, all existing full-mouth fixed immediate implant treatments focused solely on replacing missing, badly decayed, or broken-down teeth. Vitality Teeth became the first full-mouth immediate implant protocol to transcend simple tooth replacement. Rather than just restoring function and esthetics, it represents a comprehensive philosophy of personalized full-mouth dental implants designed for timeless living and lasting longevity health.

Vitality Teeth Implants	Traditional Full-Mouth Implant Teeth
Customized teeth based on your face, bone & smile.	All patients get the same type of teeth.
Post-treatment care handled by the same Vitality team.	Patients must find their own dentist for follow-up.
It is part of a longevity health plan.	Only replaces missing teeth.
Includes anti-aging and preventive care.	One-time dental treatment.
Led by world renowned implant specialist & educator.	Treatment by general dentists or franchise clinics.
Legendary service with empathy & caring.	Follows standard clinic workflow.
Focus on your quality of life and long-term health.	Cost is the main selling point.

Vitality Teeth® represents a smarter, more personalized alternative to All-on-4®. The protocol offers several key advantages:

Enhanced Support: Patients receive more implants to support their full set of teeth, providing greater stability and distribution of forces.

Material Choice: Patients can choose between traditional titanium implants or advanced zirconia implants, allowing for materials that best suit their individual health philosophy and esthetic goals.

Gum Esthetic Options: Unlike traditional full-mouth implant prosthetics that include artificial pink gum (porcelain or acrylic gingiva), Vitality Teeth offers patients the option of a prosthesis that emerges naturally from their own gum tissue—creating a more lifelike, seamless appearance.