Full Mouth Dental Implants All Teeth

Full mouth dental implants are the gold standard when it comes to replacing all the teeth in the mouth, and it’s not uncommon for a full mouth reconstruction to rely on one or more dental implants. Dental implants are the most stable, longest-lasting, most natural option for replacing missing teeth, and understanding how they work can help you understand why they’re so durable and comfortable.

A dental implant is a small post that’s surgically implanted into the jawbone, underneath the gums, ideally where the root of a tooth once lived. To place an implant, the patient is anesthetized before a small incision is made in the gums, which are pulled back to expose the jawbone. The implant is then inserted into a hole that has been drilled into the bone. When every tooth is being replaced, this procedure is repeated at multiple implant sites, where the implants essentially serve as synthetic tooth roots. The implant posts are protected with a healing cap or temporary crown, and the gums are sutured back into place.

Once the jaw has healed after implant placement, the gums are once again opened up, exposing the tip of the implant cylinder, and the temporary crown or healing cap is removed. Then, an abutment that’s designed to hold a dental crown or other prosthetic is secured there. After the gums heal around this abutment, the prosthetic is placed. In the case of full mouth dental implants, the prosthetic of choice is often a dental crown, though some strategic implant restorations can use a single implant post to support more than one prosthetic tooth. Your dentist will tell you more about your options when it comes to full mouth dental implants at your consultation.

Unlike removable prosthetics like traditional dentures, full mouth implants are firmly rooted in the jaw, making them stable and sturdy. This means that people with full mouth dental implants can comfortably enjoy a wide variety of nutritious food and smile or laugh with confidence. Implants confer an additional benefit beyond their natural appearance and feel, however. They actually function similarly to a natural tooth root, helping preserve the bone tissue and prevent the sunken appearance that so often arises when multiple teeth are missing. As the jaw heals, the bone tissue and implant post fuse together, creating a long-lasting, sturdy bond. It will take a few months for this integration to occur, but complete healing, along with diligent surgical aftercare and adherence to a solid oral hygiene routine, are key to the success of any dental implant.

Cleaning and maintaining conventional removable dentures is one of the more tedious tasks required of their wearers, but full mouth dental implants are cleaned the exact same way natural teeth are, with regular brushing and flossing. It’s still imperative to see your dentist regularly even when you don’t have any natural teeth, as the health of the gums and bone is still vitally important. Your dental hygienist will use specialized tools that can clean plaque and tartar from your crowns without damaging their surfaces, focusing on the gumline and aiming to prevent gum disease and protect the bone.

Ideally, dental implants will be placed immediately, or at least reasonably shortly, after the natural tooth is removed or falls out, before the bone can degrade. When bone tissue has been reabsorbed, or if the quality of the bone is otherwise poor or thin, bone grafts might be needed before implants can safely be placed, which means more surgical procedures and an even longer recovery time. If you’re missing teeth, don’t wait any longer; call your dentist today to learn about your solution options.

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