Full Mouth Dental Implants Procedure
Full mouth dental implants are one of the best ways to restore your entire mouth and get back the confidence you once had in your smile. There are a number of options available to restore the whole mouth, but dental implants have a very high success rate and are significantly more stable and aesthetically pleasing than other options.
Procedure for Full Mouth Dental Implants
First things first, an evaluation by an oral surgeon or periodontist is done to determine if you are a candidate for dental implants. This evaluation will include dental x-rays and possibly a CT scan to evaluate your jawbone.
For the surgery, the doctor will begin by applying a topical numbing agent at each surgery site before administering a local anesthetic to make sure each area is sufficiently numb. They will then make a small incision in the gum, tissue and drill a tiny hole in which a titanium or zirconia implant is placed.
A temporary abutment, or healing cap, is placed over each implant to protect it from infection and damage while it heals. Healing time can take up to six months, during which you will wear a temporary denture. After your implants have fully integrated with your jawbone, your dentist will place your permanent denture.
Full Mouth Dental Implants Restoration
When it is time for your dentist to place your permanent denture, they will remove each healing cap before securing your new denture onto the implants. The denture can either be screw retained or snap-in. A snap-in denture uses anchors secured to the implant, allowing it to be removed by the patient. Screw retained dentures are held in place using abutments and screws and cannot be removed by the patient. A snap-in denture is convenient for home care since the patient can take it out and clean it every night. But, a screw retained denture is often a little bit more secure for the wearer.
Benefits of Full Mouth Dental Implants
Traditional dental restorations, such as crowns, bridges, and dentures, have one major drawback in bone deterioration. Without tooth roots to stimulate bone regeneration, the jaw can begin to deteriorate, causing dental restorations to become ill-fitting and even changes to facial structure and appearance. Dental implants have the benefit of not only being a more aesthetically pleasing restoration but also a much more stable restoration. Dental implants act as the root of a tooth and help stimulate bone regeneration, preventing deterioration.
Full mouth dental implants are one of the most natural-looking and secure options available to patients. Dental implants have the ability to last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance, though the denture itself may need to be replaced every 20 years or so. Not all patients are candidates for implants since it is a more invasive procedure.
If you are missing a significant number of teeth or need to have hopeless teeth extracted, you might consider full mouth dental implants. Your dentist can discuss your options with you and help you decide if you are a candidate for dental implants and if that is the best treatment option for your individual case.