Can you get full mouth dental implants?

Full mouth dental implants are an excellent option for patients who are missing most of their teeth or are planning to have hopeless teeth extracted. They are a healthy and natural-looking option for restoring your smile and are significantly more comfortable! Dental implants help stimulate the regeneration of jawbone structure that might otherwise deteriorate without tooth roots in place to encourage development.

What is the procedure for having full mouth dental implants placed?

Dental implants are a time-consuming process so it is important to know what you are getting into before you decide what path of treatment to take!

Your dentist will perform an extensive examination and evaluation of your mouth to determine if you are a candidate for dental implants. They will likely take a number of x-rays and CT scans as well as pictures and diagnostic casts. If your dentist believes that you can proceed with dental implants, they will provide you with a treatment plan estimate for the implant restorations and will refer you to either a Periodontist or Oral Surgeon for an evaluation and treatment planning for the implant placement surgery.

Once full mouth dental implant treatment is agreed upon, any preparatory surgeries that you may require will be performed and allowed to heal for up to six months before your implant placement surgery. These could include either a bone graft or a gum graft. If you do not need preparatory surgeries, your doctor can proceed with your implant placement surgery.

Under local anesthesia, your doctor will place 4 to 6 implants on one or both arches. A healing cap will be placed over each implant and you will have a temporary denture to wear for up to six months while the implants heal and integrate. Once your implants are fully integrated with your job bone, your dentist will place your permanent, implant-supported denture.

How do I maintain my full mouth dental implants?

Good oral hygiene is the most important part of caring for any dental restoration. Without good oral hygiene, implants can fail and cause you to start all over! With dental implants, the doctor who placed your implants will want to see you annually to check the integrity of each implant and make sure that your jawbone is healthy.

It is important that you maintain a regular schedule with your dentist as well, receiving professional cleanings at least twice a year. At these cleanings, your dentist will remove your prosthetic so that the hygienist is able to properly clean each individual implant. Dental implants are not immune to periodontal disease! Without proper oral hygiene at home and regular professional cleaning, periodontal disease to develop and cause your implants to fail.

While your dental implants are meant to be permanent and last a lifetime, the restoration on the implant may need replacing every 15 to 20 years. Using a nightguard is a great way to help protect your new teeth from nightly clenching and grinding.

Full mouth dental implants are a great option for patients who are able to tolerate the procedure. Speak with your dentist if you think that full mouth dental implants are right for you!

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