All About Full Mouth Dental Implants
Tomball, TX

When a patient is missing a whole row of teeth, they have a unique opportunity, and they can start over with a full-arch restoration. Even though there are other ways to treat an entire row of missing teeth, such as single implants and dentures, patients today want a cheaper, faster, and more convenient solution.

Work Together: Dentures and Implants

Traditional dentures can be inconvenient, painful, and unstable. And while dental implants are an excellent choice for replacing a single tooth, they can be expensive and hard to use for an entire arch. But when you combine these two treatments, you get implant-supported overdentures, which work for almost everyone. Four dental implants are put into the jaw during this treatment, and a full dental bridge is attached. This gives you a whole row of teeth in just one appointment.

The Good Things About  Implants Supported Dentures

Cost

This treatment is much cheaper than putting in an entire row of implants because it only needs four implants per arch.

Convenience

Most of the time, replacement teeth can be put in at the same time as the implants.

Bone Graft-Free: 

Two of the four implants are put in the back of the jaw at different angles to make the most of the jawbone. This often makes bone grafting unnecessary.

Faster Healing

Full arch restorations are pleasing because they take less time in the chair and less time to heal.

How To Replace An Entire Arch With Dental Implants?

As with other dental implant procedures, you will be given anesthesia to ensure you don’t feel anything during the surgery. Most pain after surgery can be treated with over-the-counter medicines, and your doctor will talk to you about any prescriptions you might need at your appointment.

What You Can Do About Implant-Supported Dentures?

Ball Attachment Denture

Two implants are put into the lower jaw, and a denture is snapped onto them. This option is more stable than traditional dentures that can be taken out, but some movement will still happen. If food gets stuck under the skin, it can cause sore spots. Periodic appointments ensure proper adjustment.

Bar Attachment Denture

This process, called “overdentures” above, involves putting four to six implants in the lower jaw. The implants are connected by a custom support bar, to which a denture with internal retention clips is attached. This is a popular choice because the denture stays in place better than ball attachments, but it can still be taken out and cleaned.

Half-ventured, half-fixed hybrid

This option, also called a screw-retained denture, gives you the most stability. The denture is permanent because it is put on five or more implants and held in place by screws or clasps. We only take it out during maintenance visits. The denture doesn’t touch the gums, so you can clean under it without taking it out.

Individual Implants

There is always the option to have a dental implant put in place of each missing tooth. This gives you more stability, keeps your jawbone healthy, and gives you a natural look. But the process is the most expensive and takes the most time.

Changes To The Upper Arches

The options for treating the upper arch are the same as those for the lower angle. Sometimes, extra implants are needed to make up for softer bones.

Upper Denture Held in Place by Implants

Depending on how many implants you get, you may only need a partial denture to cover the roof of your mouth. This choice lets you fully taste your food and better understand how hot or cold it is. Your false teeth will feel more like natural teeth. You will still be able to take out your dentures, making cleaning the support bar and dentures much easier.

Separate Upper Implants

You’ll probably need eight to ten separate implants if you want a replacement that looks like your natural teeth and can’t be taken out. After this is done and the tooth has healed, the abutments and new crowns are put in place.

If you are tired of your dentures and want a better, more permanent solution, please call us in Tomball to learn how full mouth dental implants are changing the lives of our patients.