Discover how Dr. Tarek Assi is transforming full arch implant dentistry with a digital-first approach. From diagnosis to same-day delivery, this DOCS Education CE course offers practical insights you can immediately apply in your practice.
By Genni Burkhart
As patient needs grow and technology advances, full arch implant reconstruction continues to evolve under increasing demand.
In a new comprehensive DOCS Education course, "The Evolution of Full Arch Implant Reconstruction," Dr. Tarek Assi shares his insights, protocols, and clinical experience in treating edentulous and terminal dentition cases with precision and care. From diagnosis to prosthetic design, this 1 CE credit course offers dentists a practical roadmap to delivering full-arch outcomes with predictability and purpose.
Meet Dr. Tarek Assi
Dr. Assi is a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral Implantology and maintains a full-time implant-focused private practice. He earned his DMD from Nova Southeastern University, completed an AEGD (Advanced Education in General Dentistry) residency, and trained under the late Dr. Carl Misch at the MISH Implant Institute.
Dr. Assi's commitment to advancing clinical knowledge is evident in his leadership of the Alpha Study Club, where clinicians gather to collaborate and learn. As Dr. Assi notes, "When knowledge is shared, both practices and patients benefit."
Why Full Arch Matters
Over 24 million Americans are completely edentulous, and more than half are missing all teeth in one arch. Many others present with terminal dentition, requiring skilled intervention. As this population grows, the dental profession has a responsibility to offer solutions that restore not just teeth, but dignity, function, and quality of life.
A Case That Hit Home
Dr. Tarek Assi
In this course, Dr. Assi shared the story of Nelson, a patient who struggled with failing implants and hopeless teeth. He avoided smiling and would even hide his teeth in photos. What moved him to seek treatment was a conversation with his son, who asked, “Dad, you are a pilot. You dress well, fix your hair, and look professional. Why do your teeth look like this?”
After this conversation, Nelson underwent full-arch reconstruction in just under three hours. When he saw his new smile, he said, “I can't wait to show my son.” Days later, his son sent a heartfelt message to Dr. Assi thanking the team for returning his father’s smile.
Clinical Planning Starts with Diagnosis
Effective full-arch treatment requires a systematic approach, starting with accurate diagnosis. Dr. Assi emphasizes the importance of understanding the patient's underlying condition.
- Is periodontal disease the primary issue?
- Are systemic conditions or medications involved?
- Is fear or cost delaying treatment?
These questions guide the choice between selective extractions or full-arch removal.
Selective extractions may allow some healthy teeth to remain during healing, with implants placed afterward. In these cases, a provisional roundhouse prosthesis helps establish proper emergence profiles and aesthetics. Both clinical findings and patient needs determine final restorations.
Prosthetic Options and Patient Choice
Patients must be presented with all available options, including removable and fixed prostheses. Upper dentures may be well tolerated, but lower dentures often cause frustration due to instability. Dr. Carl Misch once noted that providing a lower denture without at least one implant should be below the standard of care. Today, at least two implants in the mandible and four in the maxilla are recommended.
For patients without any remaining teeth, options include FP1 through FP3 fixed prostheses, RP4 removable overdentures supported by implants, and RP5 tissue-supported removable prostheses. Selection depends on clinical anatomy, bone loss, and patient preference. It's important to note that overtreating or undertreating with the wrong prosthesis can lead to revisions, poor aesthetics, and patient dissatisfaction.
Digital Dentistry Provides Trusted Predictability
One of the greatest advancements in full arch care is digital simulation. Now, dentists can show patients a preview of their smile using two-dimensional and three-dimensional planning software. Fully digital practices integrate facial scanning, intraoral scanning, and guided surgical workflows.
Facially and prosthetically driven implant placement ensures implants are placed based on ideal tooth position and esthetics, not just available bone. Approximately three-fourths of cases are guided for better efficiency and outcomes. Surgical guides support the placement of implants, abutments, and multi-unit abutments with high precision.
Immediate Loading and the All-on-4 Concept
The concept of immediate loading has revolutionized patient expectations. Once, the answer to “Am I getting teeth today?” was often no. Today, with proper planning, it can be yes in most cases. Dr. Paulo Malo’s All-on-4 protocol demonstrated that cross-arch stabilization using just four implants can eliminate the need for grafting and support same-day delivery.
The success of this approach depends on proper implant distribution, particularly the anteroposterior spread. For example, tilting posterior implants can increase AP spread, avoid anatomical structures like the maxillary sinus, and improve the prosthesis's biomechanical stability.
The Power of Photogrammetry
Photogrammetry enhances digital workflows by capturing implant positions with extreme accuracy in under a minute. This technology converts photographs into three-dimensional data, streamlining the connection between surgical placement and prosthetic design. With tools like Micron Mapper and hybrid scanning technologies on the rise, digital dentistry continues to move toward more efficient, error-free processes.
Final Thoughts
This course is a reminder that full arch reconstruction is about more than simply restoring teeth. It is about restoring lives. From diagnosis to delivery, every decision impacts long-term success. Dr. Assi encourages clinicians to embrace a repeatable, patient-centered workflow that honors the science and the human story behind each case.
Author: With over 15 years as an award-winning journalist, editor, and writer, Genni Burkhart has covered everything from news, politics, and healthcare to finance, corporate leadership, and technology. As editor-in-chief of The Incisor newsletter and blog and features writer at DOCS Education, she brings a refreshing insight and a passion for storytelling to the world of sedation dentistry.
