Full Mouth Dental Implants Procedure
If you are missing teeth, you are not alone. Tooth loss is a quite frequent problem today. Recent studies show that 178 million people in the United States are missing at least one tooth, and 35 million are completely missing all their teeth. Whether you have lost one tooth or multiple teeth to gum disease, tooth decay, or a traumatic injury, your dentist can help you find a solution. Today they offer state-of-the-art care and innovative solutions to help you restore your complete, healthy, and beautiful smile.
The Benefits of Full Mouth Dental Implants over Conventional Dentures
Dental implants can help you if you wear full dentures in multiple ways. Dental implants offer an alternative to full dentures. Strategically placed dental implants will support a full arch dental bridge, so you can enjoy the benefits of a stable, fixed, non-removable, and natural-looking restoration for your smile.
Another way dental implants will benefit you if you wear full dentures is by providing your denture with added strength, stability, and retention. Specialized dental implants offer a method for the denture bridge to attach to so that you no longer need denture adhesives, preventing discomfortable and unfortunate slippage.
How are the Full Mouth Dental Implants Placed?
There are three components to full mouth dental implants:
- The tiny implant post, that looks like a screw or a cylinder, which is surgically placed into your jawbone.
- The prosthetic, or artificial tooth, which looks and functions like a healthy, natural tooth.
- The abutment or extension that is added to the top of the implant allowing the new tooth to connect to the implant.
To begin with you will undergo an evaluation including x-rays and a CT scan. These images will determine the number of implants necessary and their specific placement. Your dentist will start by administering a local anesthetic to the area pinpointed for the placement. A small incision will expose the underlying jawbone. A tiny hole will then be drilled into your jawbone to make room for the implant, and the implant will be inserted. This process will be repeated for each of the implants. It is often possible for a temporary denture to be worn over the implant sites at this first appointment. If not, a temporary healing cap will be screwed into the top of each implant to protect the implant from the surrounding oral environment. A few sutures will be placed to secure the gum tissue in place and the sutures will be removed in a week.
During the following few months, the implants and the jawbone will be allowed to fuse and bond together to form secure anchors for your new teeth. Next, the abutments or extensions are attached to reach the surface of your gums. Your gums will need just a few more weeks to heal following this procedure.
Finally, custom fabricated full bridges or full dentures that replicate your natural teeth will be attached to these abutments. In just a brief time span you will enjoy biting, chewing, and speaking normally as well as having your healthy smile restored.