Full mouth dental implants

What are Full Mouth Dental Implants?

Full mouth dental implants typically referred to as implant dentures or overdentures provide the ability to completely restore an entire arch of teeth with just one procedure. They are a popular treatment used in full mouth reconstruction.

Whether you are looking to restore the upper or lower arch of teeth or both full mouth dental implants make it possible.

To begin treatment, 2-4 titanium dental implants are placed directly into the patient’s jaw bone. The number that is placed depends upon the health and strength of the bone itself; patients who need a bit of extra stability or support may require the placement of four dental implants rather than two.

These dental prosthetic devices serve as “anchors” for the overdenture, which is designed to snugly snap into place over the implants.

Once the denture is in place, it remains permanently fixed. This allows patients to enjoy freedom from fretting about messy and inconvenient denture adhesive. It also helps patients avoid any type of embarrassment or discomfort that may come along with loose or ill-fitting dentures.

Many patients feel that their implant dentures are so secure and comfortable that they forget that they are not their natural teeth. They are able to eat, drink, talk, and smile just as they would naturally. Full mouth dental implants provide the ability to eat your favorite foods and enjoy social situations while feeling confident about your new smile.

Benefits of Full Mouth Dental Implants

Perhaps one of the most notable benefits of full mouth dental implants is that they are much more cost-effective than pursuing multiple individual fixtures. Single dental implants can vary in cost anywhere between from $1,000 per tooth; when facing the challenge of replacing a full arch of teeth, costs can certainly add up quickly.

Overdentures allow for the complete restoration of an entire arch of teeth with the placement of just two or four implants, saving you valuable time and money in the long run.

Am I a Candidate for Full Mouth Dental Implants?

While full mouth dental implants are an excellent treatment option for restoring the looks and functionality of the smile, it is important to first ensure that you are a candidate for this treatment.

Here at Wellness Dental, our team of dental experts is here to help you get the most out of your dental treatment. We will be happy to help you determine if this treatment is right for you. In order to do this, you will receive a thorough examination and consultation.

Three-dimensional images will be taken of your jaw bone using a CT machine; these images provide crucial information about the existing bone health and density.

Using these three-dimensional images, a series of measurements will be taken; these measurements help determine if you have the necessary amount of bone needed for successful placement and will help your dentist develop an extensive surgical guide.

If necessary, you will be planned for a bone graft before the actual placement procedure. Bone grafting allows your dentist to add bone structure to the jaw; this ensures that there is enough strong bone to support successful placement.

If it is determined that you are not an ideal candidate for full mouth dental implants, your alternative options will be discussed with you at length to help you find the treatment that works best for you.

Below are some examples of things that may negatively affect a person’s candidacy for full mouth dental implants:

A consultation with your trusted dentist will help you determine if you are a candidate for this treatment method. As previously mentioned, if it is determined that you may not be the best candidate for this type of treatment, your alternative options for treatment will be thoroughly discussed with you. We strive to ensure that you are directly involved in each step of your treatment from start to finish.

Implant Placement Procedure

To begin the implant surgery, your dentist will first ensure that you are completely numb using a local anesthetic.

Once you are numb, a small incision will be made in the gums. The gum tissue will be retracted out of the way to expose the jaw bone.

During your initial consultation, the three-dimensional images were used to create a dynamic and thorough surgical guide. Your dentist will now reference this surgical guide throughout the implant placement procedure to ensure that the fixtures are placed at precisely the right angle.

Using the surgical guide, the dentist will skillfully place the implant inside the jaw bone. They will then repeat this process until all of the fixtures are successfully placed inside the mouth.

You will receive a set of temporary teeth to provide you with a “test drive” for your permanent overdentures during your healing period. This is done to ensure that you are able to leave with a new set of teeth--your same-day smile.

The healing period after the placement procedure may take anywhere between 2-6 months. It is during this healing period that osseointegration occurs. Osseointegration is the process of bone healing and fusing to the prosthetic device; it ensures that the implant is correctly fused to your bone and promotes long-term stability.

After your healing period has finished, your temporary healing dentures will be removed, and your permanent dentures will be put into place.

Cost of Full Mouth Dental Implants

The cost of implant denture treatment may vary anywhere between from $10,000 per arch. The overall price of your full mouth dental implants typically depends upon a number of factors, including:

Unfortunately, many dental insurance companies do not offer coverage for full mouth dental implants, as they are typically not deemed “medically necessary”. While this is generally the case, there are some instances that may differ; it is best to give your insurance company a call and ask for a full breakdown of benefits to find out what is covered.

For more information about the cost of full mouth dental implants here at Wellness Dental, feel free to give us a call. We will be happy to provide you with a thorough implant consultation so that you fully understand your options.

Alternative Treatment Options

If you are not interested in pursuing implant denture treatment, you always have the option of pursuing individual dental implants.

In this case, single tooth implants are placed throughout the entire arch to replace all of the missing teeth. You will typically have the option of pursuing either ceramic or zirconia implant crowns.

While this method of treatment is significantly more expensive and time-consuming than implant dentures, there are a few benefits:

One of the most notable benefits of pursuing simple dental implants is that in the case that one implant fails or becomes compromised, it will not have a direct effect on the rest of the implants. When an implant beneath an implant-supported denture fails, it is highly likely that the entire treatment will then be in jeopardy.

In the case of individual dental implants, each of the restorations operates on their own. In the long run, this may provide a greater sense of stability and durability.

As previously mentioned, pursuing a full arch of dental implants can be quite time-consuming, as you will need to undergo each individual placement surgery and recovery process. It can also be quite costly.

These are all things to keep in mind while considering your treatment options; rest assured that your options will be discussed with you at length during your initial implant consultation.