Did you know that tooth decay is the most prevalent oral health condition globally? Oral diseases affected nearly 3.5 billion globally and left untreated, it can lead to infections or oral cancer.
While dental care is notorious for being expensive and time-consuming, there are several options to restore your missing teeth and prevent ongoing dental work. Full mouth dental implants are increasingly popular since they restore the look, feel, and function of your natural teeth and are often more comfortable than dentures.
Are you interested in learning more? We have put together a complete guide on what full mouth dental implants are and if you are a candidate, so keep reading for more information!
What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is an artificial tooth and structure secured directly into your jawbone. Patients primarily need dental implants for missing or damaged teeth, and it is composed of three main structures:
- Implant or anchor
- Abutment
- Crown
First, the implant screws into your jaw and anchors the artificial tooth to your bone. The abutment is your connecting piece between the implant and crown, while your crown is the visual piece of the dental implant you see.
It mimics the appearance of a natural tooth and has many color options for your liking. Dental implants are advantageous for several reasons, such as:
- More comfortability than dentures
- Higher success rates
- Improved chewing
- Reduced risk of cavities
- Reduced bone loss
- Reduced tooth sensitivity
Endosteal and subperiosteal implants are the two primary options. The former is the most common dental implant where the implant is fully secured into the jawbone. On the other hand, a subperiosteal implant sits on top of your jawbone and is typically used for patients who do not have enough bone depth.
Full Mouth Dental Implants
As the name sounds – full mouth dental implants replace the remainder of your teeth with artificial ones. During this procedure, a full row of teeth is replaced with four to eight artificial teeth.
There are a few different methods that dentists utilize for a full mouth dental implant, including:
- All On 4
- Implant-supported dentures
- Full mouth implants
The All On 4 technique only uses four dental implants, but it is secured to adjacent porcelain teeth that are tightly secured to your gum line. This ensures they act and feel like normal teeth and are permanently fixed.
Implant-supported dentures require implants that your customized dentures securely fit onto. They offer better comfort, durability, and support than standard dentures. However, they aren’t as secure as full mouth implants and could result in more maintenance.
The first two options are some of the latest advances in dental services and help minimize the time and money spent on dental care while ensuring optimal oral health. In some instances, a patient may need full mouth implants that include crowns and bridges for most (or all) of your teeth.
This dental procedure takes months to complete. Here is an idea of what this restorative dental procedure entails:
- Expose gum flaps and jawbone
- Drill into jawbone
- Insert implant
- Temporary crown or cap
- Remove cap
- Attach abutments
- Attach dentures, bridges, or other natural-looking teeth
The primary reason these steps take months is your gums and jawbone need time to heal and bond together. Once your natural teeth are placed, your new implants should last for years and require less maintenance than dentures or other restorative procedures.
Full Mouth Dental Implants Cost
One day full mouth dental implants cost will be cheaper than a year-long procedure with over a dozen individual implants. Your cost includes:
- Facility fees
- Dental fees
- Anesthesia
- Implants
- Medication
- Follow-up appointments
Since one day full mouth dental implants include most of the planning and temporary placements in a single treatment, you avoid the higher expenses of scheduling multiple appointments. You will need to return later for permanent crown placements. Average dental implant costs are around $6,000 per tooth.
Who Needs Full Mouth Dental Implants?
Anyone with multiple missing, cracked, decayed, or damaged teeth may qualify for dental implants. Full mouth dental implants for seniors are one of the most popular populations who opt for this procedure since it can replace the need and use of dentures. Over time, dentures can cause:
- Pain
- Bleeding gums
- Swelling
- Poor chewing
It can affect nutritional intake and the structural stability of your gums and jaw bone. Full mouth implants usually replace either the upper or lower set of teeth and are sometimes called one-day full mouth dental implants.
Who Can’t Have a Dental Implant?
Patients with an acute illness or bone infection may not be good candidates for a dental implant. If the infection or illness resolves, your dentist can talk with you about proceeding with a full mouth dental implant. However, if you have any of the following medical conditions, you might have to look at other restorative options:
- Excessive tooth grinding
HIVImmunocompromised health- Diabetes
- Osteoporosis
Patients with some of these medical diagnoses are at a higher risk of having the dental implant fail. Some other dental restoration alternatives are:
- Dentures
- Fixed dental bridges
Dental bridges are not typically designed to replace entire sets of teeth but can work well for smaller procedures. The most cost-friendly and sustainable option other than implants is dentures. There are four main types of dentures, and finding a local dentist specializing in restorative care mitigates some of the complications and discomfort commonly associated with dentures.
Full mouth dentures are composed of acrylic materials and secured through adhesives or suction.
Finding a “Dentist Near Me”
Full mouth dental implants are ideal for patients who must replace the remaining of their teeth due to damage, decay, or injury. If you already have dentures, you are likely sick of the discomfort, pain, and swelling that can sometimes accompany the use of them.
At The Dental Team, we specialize in restorative dental procedures such as full mouth implants. Contact The Dental Team for more information about compassionate dental care services and schedule a full mouth dental implant procedure today!
