1. Introduction
Dental implants are created from a biologically neutral and friendly material called titanium. The body does not reject this material. On the contrary, it fuses with the bone tissue in its vicinity. This property of dental implants makes them become strong bases that anchor tooth-supporting devices like bridges, crowns, and dentures for life. Dental implants can be used to support a single crown, a dental bridge, or even provide such anchorage for full dentures. This, to a large extent, is dependent on the prosthetic device that needs to be anchored to the dental implant. The implantologist decides initially if the dental implants would replace single teeth or the full mouth dental implants will cater to big tooth restorations.
Full mouth dental implants denote the complete replacement of both upper and lower teeth with dental implants. A patient is a good candidate for full mouth dental implants if he is edentulous/gap-toothed or is about to lose all teeth. Full mouth dental implants facilitate to restore functionality and aesthetics. While a fixed bridge or removable dentures, etc., take care of the issue of a tooth or tooth gap, dental implants act as strong foundations for these tooth-supporting devices and attach them to the jaw. Full mouth dental implants ably reinforce them.
1.1. Purpose of the Blog
These are actual questions from our patients. Our goal is to get everyone who comes to us as much helpful information as possible to help them on their journey to a happy, healthy, sustainable new smile. We strive to be helpful, but this information is necessarily thin. These are questions that usually are front-of-mind when pondering full mouth dental implants, and in the case of one or more of these questions being ones you have, we hope this blog is a helpful first stop.
Our goal is to provide helpful information to patients exploring full mouth dental implants. We know that many of these patients are coming from traditional dentures, likely after years of using them, and usually as a last resort or perhaps on referral from their denturist. Sometimes referred to as all on 4’s, full mouth dental implants involves surgically implanting a series of anchors into the patient’s jawbone to simulate the root of a natural tooth. Many patients ask similar questions during their consideration process. In this blog you’ll find some of those common questions, and our answers.
2. Understanding Full Mouth Dental Implants
They are permanent, last long, and don’t need any special maintenance or additional treatment. The senior patients who have lost their teeth can also benefit from having full mouth dental implants. The upper jaw full mouth dental implants are also very important and have so many benefits. They have improved appearance and quality of life, improved comfort, speech, and self-esteem. It is therefore important for all the patients to get the implants. Full mouth dental implants are full sets of teeth that can be used for most replacement procedures. The implants can be made of different materials and can be customized to fit the size, shape, and color of the natural teeth. The materials used to make full mouth dental implants include ceramic, resin, and metal. The ceramic implants are very common because they have a very good appearance and they are easy to polish. They are also strong, last long, and safe to use. The ceramic implants also have high resistance to abrasion. The metal implants are also strong and light, they can be polished, their flexibility and strength can also be adjusted, they also offer improved aesthetics and are long-lasting. The metal implants, however, have a characteristic called bioactivity and can therefore irritate the gum. Some patients are allergic to some metals, and the metals can be visible if the gum declines, leading to a very unsightly appearance.
A quick understanding. Full mouth dental implants refer to the process of replacing missing, half broken, misaligned, or decayed teeth with a full set of replacement teeth in the upper or lower jaw or both jaws. These procedures are also known as All-on-4 dental implants, or full-arch implants, or full jaw implants. The implant is applied through a surgical process with the patient under local anesthesia. The missing teeth should be replaced with false teeth. The full jaw dental implants have a lot of benefits. These include the ability to chew food well, enabling good digestion, aligning the teeth, thus improving the appearance of a patient, improving patients’ self-esteem and speech, and reducing the risk of gum disease as the implants cover the gum without any gaps where plaque hides.
2.1. Definition and Functionality
Dental implants are artificial teeth that are used to replace a patient’s missing teeth. They have a number of benefits over other kinds of restorative treatment, such as dental bridges. Unlike bridges, dental implants don’t affect the health of any healthy teeth in your mouth. Dental implants are also very similar to your own teeth because they are anchored in the jawbone and they resemble the tooth just above the gum line. They also don’t rely on support from the other teeth, the way bridges do. Dental implants are very reliable and successful, too, with a success rate of about 98 percent. In addition, dental implants represent state of the art replacement technology in many cases, with other methods being acceptable as backups. Optimally used, dental implants can last for the rest of your life.
Your smile is important for a number of reasons. It’s part of the impression you make on people when you meet them for the first time, so it helps to signal friendliness, openness, and healthiness. It plays a large role in how attractive people perceive you to be, and this in turn has a major impact on meeting and interacting with others. These are all reasons why people who need to get full mouth dental implants should make a dental implant dentist appointment as soon as they can. Unfortunately, one in four people over the age of 74 suffers from permanent tooth loss, so the services of a dental implant center are always in demand. You might also be curious about what dental implants are and how they work, so here’s some basic information you might find helpful.
3. Candidates for Full Mouth Dental Implants
First, one of our oral surgeons will remove any remaining teeth. This step often involves creating a fair amount of bone material. Estrogen therapy stimulates new bone growth to support the implants. After the estrogen therapy is complete, our oral surgeons often place four, six, or eight implants. They’ll use various other techniques, such as the sinus bump, to build up more bone material if necessary. The number of implants used will depend on how much volume a patient has and how healthy the volume is. The first four or five implants typically offer more than enough support for the zygomatic. After the implants are placed, a temporary healing package is immediately added until the bone integrates the implants. The permanent bridge or denture (designed and manufactured in partnership with a dental lab) will be placed after the healing is complete. Please give our office a call to learn more and schedule a consultation. All of our surgeons are board certified and have years of experience placing dental implants.
A dental bridge is a popular option. Dental implants placed in the gums hold natural-looking replacement teeth in place. A single bridge (with a single implant) spans two openings in a patient’s smile. All on 4 dental implants work the same way. The difference is that all on 4 dental implants need just four implants to fill a patient’s smile. Your oral surgeon will take x-rays to help you decide which treatment option is right for you. Our office uses computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing technology to provide lifelike teeth that function as properly as possible. Crowns placed on single dental implants offer the strongest, most stable option for patients who want to be able to chew everything and anything. Traditional denture wearers might also want to consider denture stabilization.
Who are good candidates for full mouth dental implants? Just about anyone who is missing all of their teeth, or will be missing all of their teeth in the near future, can benefit from full mouth dental implants. Several different options are available depending on our patients’ needs and budget.
3.1. Criteria for Eligibility
Major problems in the mouth such as gum disease, missing teeth, and decaying teeth make it challenging to get accurate impressions. Today’s dental technology eliminates that problem. 3D Cone Beam Computed Tomography Scanning (CBCT) produces a quick and accurate digital model of the mouth. Gathering the necessary information from the patient’s mouth using CBCT is quicker, easier, and cheaper than X-rays and other older technologies. Having all of the necessary information helps dental implant professionals to deliver the best results to their patients.
Determining patient eligibility is one of the most important aspects. When determining whether full arch dental implants are a viable option, professionals consider how the jaw supports the teeth. If the jaw loses patients bone and support, it begins to droop which impacts facial appearance. For these patients, a brand new dental arch allows the jaw to hold its shape by firmly attaching the dental arch to the jaw.
4. The Procedure: What to Expect
The healing process after undergoing full mouth dental implants usually lasts between 18-24 months, which will involve multiple surgeries from certified prosthodontist in dental implants. However, undergoing restart dental implants should bring you practical and aesthetic improvements that cannot be achieved through common dental implants.
Temporary Bridges Will Be Put in Place – After all of those steps have taken place, temporary bridges will be put in place while all of the inserted dental implants are healing from the process. After 5-6 months, the dental implant surgery will then be finalized.
Accumulated Granulation Tissue Removal – To remove the granulation tissue that is being caused by an infection below the gum line, the certified prosthodontist will then remove it in order to allow the implants to optimally heal. Silicone sheets will be placed to let the tissue heal as the infected tissue is taken out.
Antibacterial Solution – In order to minimize the amount of bacteria in the mouth, the certified prosthodontist will then rinse the infection out with an antibacterial solution.
Extract Any Remaining Teeth – After anesthesia, the certified prosthodontist then extracts any remaining teeth on the patient subjected to the full mouth dental implants. This will also involve addressing any root canals if there are any.
Anaesthesia Procedure – Most full mouth dental implants utilize IV sedation to ensure that patients can experience the dental implant procedure anxiety and pain-free. This will require patients to fast for 12 hours before the dental implant procedure.
As with any major dental surgery, it is always in your best interest to be referred to a certified prosthodontist with adequate experience in performing full mouth dental implants. In terms of a step-by-step procedure concerning full mouth dental implants, below are the basics:
4.1. Preparation and Consultation
After diagnosis and treatment selection, large 2D or 3D digital scans or photographs inside your mouth are obtained to help explain your problems. Telephone manufacturers, suppliers, and dental laboratories are ultimately involved to help improve the quality of your treatment. Scientists and experts help develop and test new materials throughout this process. In many countries, standards and rules regulate the establishment and use of implants and accessories. The dentists who assist and perform these steps are dental medical biological engineers, as well as dental master craftsmen and dental surgeons who are within the premises of dentistry. As this team of experts judiciously looks after your anatomical, medical, social, psychological, and aesthetic aspects of your care throughout your procedure, your treatment may proceed in a timely, cost-effective, and aesthetically pleasing manner. With motivation, you are actively involved in the awareness of healthy habits, the prevention of tooth decay and periodontal problems, as well as in the long-term maintenance of your desired implanted mouth.
Experts are doctors who help others in different roles, such as educating, promoting health, preventing health problems, and aiding during times of ill health. General practitioners, dentists, specialists, and even some allied health care professionals like dental hygienists are all examples of dental experts. The experts who help replace missing teeth with implants, bridges, dentures, and any other restorative prostheses are dentists. Experts with an extra three to six years of specific education in dental implants, defects, surgery, trauma, and other closely related subjects become specialist dental surgeons known as periodontists or oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Dental specialists gain experience in dental schools with patients, hospitals, and private practices. These are dentists with broad professional education. They have associated knowledge and can assist in achieving your specific needs.
5. Aftercare and Maintenance
Studies show that without a tooth in place, the jawbone area that supports that tooth will atrophy and lose strength, increasing the risk of complications. A fixed bridge does not depend on the jawbone and tooth root, reducing the chances of continuing bone thinning. However, care must still be taken to clean around the gum line and support implants. The fixed bridge model has been found to have much more long-term stability, jawbone and tissue health, and overall survival of the dental implants because the bone maintains its density.
Your new teeth have been designed to be long-term replacements for your own natural teeth. A thorough daily oral hygiene routine, coupled with regular visits to your dentist for professional check-ups and cleanings, will ensure that your new teeth function properly over time. These regular check-ups allow both your dentist and your oral surgeon to monitor the strength of your new teeth and check the health of the surrounding tissues. Use a low-abrasive toothpaste, keep your teeth clean, and reduce the likelihood of wear on your replacement teeth. This will maintain them at their best and also minimize maintenance and the need to restore your teeth excessively in the future.
5.1. Tips for Long-Term Success
About 95% of the time, full mouth dental implant patients are not scheduled in the recall system until six months after delivery of their final restoration. Long-term success mandates visits with your dentist/hygienist. The appointment will more than likely consist of a gentle scaling, polishing, and root planing. To ensure that you do not abdicate or ignore these important visits, break out your checkbook or credit card and write a generous check to the office. The tip is, if it hurts your wallet, it is likely to help your overall health. The more than occasional visit should also include adherence to a strict nutritional diet. Reduce your intake of simple refined white sugar. Focus on eating a balanced diet loaded with vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and high in lean protein. Maintaining proper blood sugar levels is important. And as always, no smoking, no tobacco. Be careful with your dentition and don’t chew on pens, pencils, ice, popcorn, etc. Last but not least, remember to relax. Stress plays a role in many major diseases.
The tips for long-term success are straightforward and common sense, yet they are often ignored. The most significant biochemical threats to your investment in full mouth dental implants are bacteria, sugar, and uncontrolled systemic disease. Brush your teeth, even the ones that are made of metal and porcelain. This is your number one priority. Use a manual or electric toothbrush, floss, use a water-pik, rubber-tips, sulcus brushes, sonic-aural devices, etc. The sky is the limit. The goal is to disturb the hundreds of millions of bacteria in your mouth. By doing so, you improve your potential to be healthy. Remember, this is the way to a healthier you. Yes, have visits with your dentist. The exact schedule is determined by your specific medical and dental situation.
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Top 10 Benefits of Full Mouth Dental Implants: Expert Insights
References:
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