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Full-mouth dental implants can restore a complete arch of upper or lower teeth, providing a comprehensive solution for replacing missing teeth. Treatment can transform your smile, providing teeth that look good, feel stable and strong, and function like real teeth.
In this guide, learn how full-mouth implants work, their benefits, and what to expect during treatment.
What Are Full-Mouth Dental Implants?
Full-mouth dental implants provide a complete arch of teeth that is firmly anchored in your mouth using several dental implants inserted into your jawbone for support. The number of implants required can be anywhere from 6 to 8. They are optimally inserted for strength and durability.
The implants are used to support a full dental bridge, replacing an entire arch of 10 to 12 teeth. These teeth are non-removable, as they are permanently attached to the implants and remain in place unless professionally removed by a dentist for maintenance or cleaning.
Benefits of Full-Mouth Dental Implants
Treatment is an ideal solution for anyone facing complete tooth loss or who currently wears a traditional denture and would prefer to have fixed teeth. Benefits include:
- Teeth that feel strong, secure, and are securely held in place.
- Full-mouth implants are designed to look natural, providing excellent support for the muscles in your cheeks and lips.
- Dental implants are inserted into your jawbone, and once fused in place, help protect and preserve your jawbone.
- Full-mouth dental implants allow you to eat anything you wish, without dietary restrictions.
- Treatment is a long-term solution that can last for years or a lifetime, providing you with all the benefits of teeth that look similar to natural teeth.
Who Is a Candidate for Full-Mouth Implants?
- Anyone currently wearing dentures who would prefer to have a fixed, nonremovable solution.
- People who have reasonable dental health and overall health.
- Non-smokers, or people willing to quit at least for the duration of treatment.
What to Expect When You Have a Full-Arch Dental Implant Bridge
A full-arch dental implant bridge replaces a complete arch of teeth, as well as some surrounding gum tissue. Therefore, it’s not unusual to find the bridge feels a little thick initially, and it can take time to get used to talking and eating with it.
Before you begin this treatment, we can show you examples of what to expect and discuss this more fully.
The Full-Mouth Implant Procedure Step-By-Step
Planning and placing dental implants for full-mouth restoration is complex, requiring extensive planning and utilizing the most advanced techniques and implant components. You will need to visit us several times during the course of your treatment.
Step One: Consultation & Diagnostics
An initial consultation allows us to determine if you are a suitable candidate and thoroughly assess your dental and medical history. We discuss your treatment goals and explain the process in more detail, including what to expect.
Diagnostics include Digital dental X-rays and 3D imaging in the form of a cone-beam CT scan. These diagnostics enable us to quantify the amount of jawbone available for dental implant placement and determine if bone grafting is necessary before your treatment.
These images are used to create your custom treatment plan, which we will explain in detail. It will include the number of dental implants we recommend for optimal stability and strength, as well as the estimated costs of your total treatment.
Step Two: Implant Planning
Your implant surgery is planned behind the scenes using your diagnostic images. These images enable us to determine the optimal location for each implant, including its angulation and depth. Once the plan is complete, we create a computer-generated surgical stent. This is a template used during your surgery, guiding our implant dentist to replicate your implant plan precisely.
Step Three: Implant Placement
We will likely recommend sedation dentistry for this procedure since you require several implants. Your jaw is also numbed to ensure you feel entirely comfortable during treatment.
The surgical stent is placed over your gums, allowing each implant to be inserted at the right location. Using the surgical stent also ensures we make small incisions, so healing afterward is faster.
Step Four: Fitting Your Temporary Teeth
Once your implants are in place, we can fit a set of temporary teeth. You will use these teeth while your implants heal and integrate with your jawbone, normally for several months. If you currently have a full denture, it may be possible to adapt it to fit for use during the healing process.
Step Five: Recovery & Healing
Initial healing takes 1 to 2 weeks, but it can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months for your implants to fully integrate with your jawbone. We provide precise instructions on caring for your mouth while it heals, and plenty of advice on coping with any discomfort. We may prescribe antibiotics and pain medication, or we can advise you on suitable over-the-counter pain relief to purchase.
During healing, we recommend sticking to a soft food diet to ensure your implants are not disturbed and can integrate properly with your jawbone.
Step Six: Fabricating Your Permanent Teeth
Once we are satisfied that your implants are fully healed and securely fused in your jawbone, we begin creating your permanent restoration, which will look and feel even better than your temporary teeth.
Aftercare and Maintenance
Full-mouth dental implants are straightforward to care for, but it is essential to keep them clean. We will show you how to clean the area around the implants and dental bridge thoroughly. Failing to look after them as shown can increase the risk of infection and may ultimately lead to implant failure.
Regular dental checkups and hygiene appointments are essential. During these visits, we assess the condition of your implants closely. We use specialized tools to clean them professionally.
Following this simple routine should ensure your implants last for many years, trouble-free.
FAQs
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What Is the Difference between Full-Mouth Dental Implants and All-on-Four?
All-on-Four is a technique that uses just four dental implants, inserted toward the front of the mouth, to support a complete arch of teeth. In comparison, full-mouth dental implants generally use a greater number of implants, which are inserted evenly across your jaw.
Both techniques yield good results, and we always recommend the treatment that we believe will provide the optimal outcome, based on our specialist skills and experience.
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Can I Get Teeth on the Same Day of Surgery?
We will provide temporary teeth on the same day of surgery. Sometimes these teeth may be fitted onto the implants. At other times, we may cover the implants and leave them to heal. There is no need to fear that we will leave you without teeth.
Do Full Mouth Implants Feel like Natural Teeth?
Your full mouth implants should look and feel as natural as possible, but they may not feel the same as ordinary teeth, especially if we need to replace some gum tissue artificially. When you first receive them, it may take time to get accustomed to biting and chewing with them since the sensation will be slightly different compared to natural teeth.
NYC Dentistry Center6 E 45th Street, 8th Floor, Suite 2
New York, NY 10017
(212) 810-9264