Dental implants are a permanent solution for restoring missing teeth. They are made of biocompatible materials that fuse to the jawbone to support the artificial teeth. Losing teeth can lead to losing function and confidence in one’s appearance. Full-mouth dental implants are the most advanced and effective way to restore a beautiful smile and replace missing teeth.
It will result in a functional and beautiful smile restoration lasting longer. Whether the patient has a few teeth missing or the entire teeth can opt for a dental implant treatment. A dental professional will do treatment planning and assessment to understand the patient’s condition, oral health and general well-being.
Table of Contents
What Is A Full Mouth Dental Implant Procedure?
A full-mouth dental implant is a surgical procedure that uses implants to replace all the teeth. The implant material is surgically placed into the jawbone during the procedure and allowed to heal. Following this, the implant undergoes complete healing over three months. Once the gum and jawbone are fully healed, the dentist will place an abutment over the implant, followed by a restoration such as a crown, bridge, or complete denture.
In patients who are missing all teeth, a full mouth implant is done with the help of 4 or 6 implants inserted into the jaw bone for proper anchorage. The timeline for the procedure will depend on several factors, such as the health of the gums and bones and the patient’s overall health. The full jaw dental implant procedure requires careful preparation and following professional advice.
Detailed Guide On Full Jaw Dental Implants Procedure
The full jaw dental implant procedure can be divided into five steps
Initial consultation
The first and foremost step to having a dental implant is to consult with a doctor of your choice. The need for dental implants is unique, and the procedure involved can differ for patients with different requirements.
Patients have to talk to the dentist about their concerns and their needs. A proper discussion with the doctor helps determine the right treatment for the patient.
Some dental clinics offer phone consultations where patients can speak to a treatment coordinator to learn more about the full jaw dental implant treatment before seeing a dentist.
The dentist will take a detailed patient history during the consultation, including the presenting illness, medications, and relevant medical history. Considering all these factors, doctors will make a differential diagnosis and estimate the procedure’s cost. This is when the patient can discuss and speak openly with the dentist about their concerns, doubts and everything in detail about the treatment.
Treatment plan and clinical assessment
After an initial consultation, doctors will perform a detailed clinical assessment to determine a patient’s suitability for an implant. This involves diagnostic methods like x-rays of the mouth and creating a model of the existing teeth that can help determine the implants’ suitability. The dentist also recommends a cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan to help better understand bone strength.
In some cases, patients with reduced bone support may require a bond graft or sinus lift procedure to create space for the implant to be placed before treatment.
This is a vital step of treatment, where the patient will know what will happen during the procedure. They will be provided a breakdown of the treatment cost, which will be more accurate than the estimated cost in the initial consultation.
Placing of implant
The full-mouth dental implant procedure is performed under local anaesthesia. It is a very straightforward surgical procedure which is relatively pain-free. If the patient feels nervous, the dentist may offer sedation to calm the patient.
Starting the procedure with local anaesthesia, an incision is made on the gum and a small space is created with the help of a drill. The implant is then inserted into the space, and the gums are closed with the help of stitches. Although unnecessary, it is still done to prevent implant failure.
In certain conditions, the new tooth will be restored on the same day, called the “smile in a day treatment”. The second step will be carried out once the implant heals and is the best time to place an abutment. By that time, there will be a space till the implant heals, or the patient can go with a temporary tooth until the implant heels.
Placing the replacement teeth
After implant material is inserted into the bone, it is essential to wait 4 to 8 months for the implant to bond fully. After the healing is completed, the permanent replacement teeth can be placed. It includes the placement of an abutment, a small post attached at the top of the implant that supports the false tooth. After that, crowns, which are custom-made to fit the shape, size, and colour of the teeth we are replacing, are placed.
Aftercare
During the implant treatment procedure and beyond, aftercare is essential. The patients are advised to follow specific steps and instructions to look after the implant for proper healing and good prognosis. Follow the aftercare instructions carefully, and the dentist will recommend you come for follow-up appointments to ensure the implant is secure and healthy.
Advantages Of Full Mouth Dental Implants
Full-jaw dental implants help in functional and aesthetic restoration of the missing teeth. It has become a successful method of restoring the teeth.
The advantages of full-mouth dental implants include the following:
- Prevent Bone Loss
The placement of dental implants can prevent bone loss. They help stimulate the bone growth. The jaw bones resolve and lose bone height if the tooth is missing. Placing dental implants into the bone simulates the function of natural teeth and prevents bone loss. Implants help strengthen the bone through a process called osseointegration.
- Simulate natural teeth
Dental implants will give the appearance of natural teeth that emerge from the jaw bone. The implants, followed by the crown placement, will be created to look exactly like the natural teeth in size, shape, and colour.
- Restoration Of Bite Force
Unlike other forms of Tooth restoration, dental implants can add strength to the bone. It can significantly impact the ability to chew and digest various foods. Dental implants add strength and capacity to bear the pressure of biting and chewing without breakage. A patient can enjoy their favourite food without any worry.
- Restores Natural Speaking
The disarticulation and ability to pronounce certain words will be compromised in people with missing teeth. It will be corrected with the help of implant-based tooth replacement.
- Does not Alter the Shape of The face
Tooth loss can lead to changes in the facial structure due to the loss of bone and muscle support of the face. It can result in a collapsed or sunken appearance of the face. Placement of dental implants regains bone strength and supports the facial muscles.
- Easy to Care and Maintain
Unlike other tooth restorations, dental implants are easy to maintain. They are made of bio-compatible material and integrate with the bone, and there is no need to replace or carry out extensive care. These are of low maintenance and need cleaning just like natural teeth.
- Prevent embarrassing slippage
It is a common complaint associated with removable dentures where patients can have embarrassing moments with slippage of dentures. This can be prevented with the help of dental implants. They are fixed permanently and will not cause slippage for any reason.
- Support adjacent teeth:
After tooth loss, the adjacent tooth will move to the space available. Restoration with dental implants will prevent movement and help properly align the teeth.
- Cavity-free Implants:
Dental implants are similar to natural teeth but are not natural with enamel and dentine. There is no worry of dental carries or gum diseases.
- Permanent Restoration of teeth
These permanent solutions, not temporary, require replacement after a specific time. Once done, these are permanent for an extended period.
Conclusion
Full-month dental implants are the newer and best solution to replace teeth permanently. The money spent on replacing teeth with dental implants is worth it. They offer several benefits compared to other dental restorations, making them more aesthetic and functionally appealing. Going for a full-mouth dental implant is a worthwhile decision for the rest of your life to have a smile with confidence and functionality.