If you are missing most or all your teeth and have been considering getting full mouth dental implants, the only way to know for sure if you are a viable candidate is to schedule an appointment with your dentist or periodontist. At this appointment, they can take diagnostic exams to determine the density of your jawbone, inspect for any underlying issues that need to be addressed, and develop a treatment plan that is informed by your unique health needs and specific treatment goals.
There are certain procedures that may be necessary to prepare your mouth for the placement of the full mouth dental implants. If it is necessary to extract a tooth or teeth prior to placing your full mouth dental implants, it will take some time for the bone to heal before the implant can be placed. There are instances where an implant can be placed immediately after the removal of the tooth, but more often than not, you will need to plan on a recovery period following the extraction. Additionally, if there is not enough jawbone left to adequately support an implant, a sinus lift or bone grafting procedure may be necessary, which generally takes 3-6 months to fully heal.
If you already have an adequate amount of jawbone, the full mouth dental implant procedure will begin with administration of an anesthetic and/or sedation to limit or eliminate discomfort. Next, titanium posts (usually four or six but more may be necessary) are placed in your jawbone. Once properly positioned, it will take between two to six months for these posts to bond with your natural jawbone. During this time, you will be given a set of temporary teeth to wear. A follow up appointment is then required to uncover the implants in order to attach extensions, which, along with other connecting devices, will create the foundation for multiple crowns to be attached to your implants. Once your gums have healed (recovery is typically 1-3 weeks), the full dentures or full bridges are attached to the abutments or connecting devices. Once this step is complete, you can begin to enjoy your bright, full smile.
Other Treatment Options
Although full mouth dental implants are a popular and effective treatment option for correcting missing teeth, there are other treatment options available. One of the more traditional treatment options for patients with missing teeth are dentures. There are several benefits to dentures, the biggest being that they are less costly and can provide support much faster than undergoing the full mouth dental implant process. While these are important considerations, drawbacks of dentures include being more unstable, inconvenient, and in some cases, painful. They also require special maintenance, require denture adhesives, and limit the types of foods you can enjoy.
In addition to meeting the aforementioned criteria, it is also important for people who are considering getting full mouth dental implants to be committed to practicing exceptional oral hygiene habits at home, such as brushing and flossing twice daily, being mindful of your diet and lifestyle habits, and scheduling regular dental checkups at least every six months or with greater frequency if necessary. Provided you are willing to commit to taking good care of your oral health and meet the basic criteria, full mouth dental implants may be the perfect solution for you.
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High Quality Periodontal Care You Can Trust
When you come to Marin Contemporary Perio and Implant Concepts, you can expect a friendly and professional dental team. Dr. Seda will listen carefully to your dental goals and provide a custom treatment plan that works with your budget and needs. We want you to fall in love with your smile again, so all our services are performed with the patient in mind. We want you to feel comfortable in the dental chair, and to feel confident in our services.
At Marin Contemporary Perio and Implant Concepts, we aim to provide cutting edge perio and implant solutions in a comfortable and relaxed environment, where patients feel we put them first. Scheduling an appointment for All-on-4 Dental Implants is the first step towards being confident in your smile once again. To schedule an appointment, please contact us today at (415) 482-9901.