It’s estimated that 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth, and about 40 million Americans are missing all of their teeth. The reasons vary from tooth decay, periodontal disease, or trauma. More patients are turning to dental implants to solve missing teeth problems, including All-on-4® dental implants. At Coal Creek Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Center, our oral & maxillofacial surgeon provides a wide range of implant dentistry options. They range from a single dental implant to full mouth restorations, using individual implants to replace one missing tooth or All-on-4 implants to replace multiple teeth. Call our office to schedule a consultation today.
What are Full Mouth Dental Implants?
Full Mouth Implants are sometimes called hybrid dentures. They consist of a full arch of artificial teeth secured to your jaw with just four implanted posts.
While individual dental implants can take several months, in many cases, our surgeons can place your Full Mouth Implants in a day.
This is a suitable option if you have multiple teeth to replace.
What is the process to get Dental Implants?
At your first visit, your oral surgeon will take a CBCT scan of your mouth.
Dental implants require sufficient jawbone strength and density to support the implant. If your bone isn’t strong enough, there are two options that still make dental implants possible.
The Coal Creek OMS team can perform a bone graft prior to implant placement to strengthen your jawbone. This is often necessary when the implant is placed in the maxilla (upper jaw) towards the back of the mouth.
The bone may be limited there because of the maxillary sinus (air-filled space found within the facial bones). A small surgical procedure called a Sinus Lift can be performed to raise the sinus floor and graft more bone into the sinus.
Your oral surgery specialist may also use small-diameter implants, or mini implants. These require less support from the bone structure.
Once the bone density is sufficient for dental implants, your provider will perform dental implant surgery.
The surgeon will then place the implant screw into the jawbone and stitch your gums up around it.
You can use local anesthesia and sedation if you choose. The healing process can take 3 to 6 months until the dental implants integrate with the surrounding bone.
When your implant is fully secured, you’ll return to the office so your surgeon can attach the abutment. The crown will be completed by your general dentist.
What are the benefits by choosing Dental Implants?
Dental implant treatment is becoming the gold standard tooth replacement procedure.
Our oral surgeon at Coal Creek OSM will give several reasons to choose dental implants over other dental prosthetics or leaving an empty space where your tooth used to be.
Some of these include:
Improved appearance
Dental implants are made to look and feel like real teeth. They integrate into the bone structure and become permanent.
Improved speech
With Dental implants you do not need to worry about a poorly fitted removable denture that will slip around in the mouth, causing you to mumble or slur your words.
Improved comfort
Their rigidity eliminates the discomfort that can be caused by removable dentures.
Confidence eating
Dental implants function like your own teeth. They allow you to eat crispy or crunchy foods with confidence and without discomfort.
Improved self-esteem
Dental implants look like real teeth. You can smile again with confidence, feeling better about yourself.
Improved oral health
There is no need to reduce other teeth like when fitting a tooth-supported bridge.
Because adjacent teeth are left intact, a dental implant improves long-term oral health. An individual dental implant also allows easier access between adjacent teeth, improving oral hygiene.
Durability
Implants use materials that last for years. If you take care of them well, they could last a lifetime.
Convenience
Removable dentures are not the easiest solution to live with. Dental implants don’t need to be removed nor do they need messy adhesives to hold them in place. They only require caring for them the same way as natural teeth.
Prevent bone loss
A lack of stimulation to the jawbone because of missing teeth can weaken the bone. Using implants will restore bone strength through the stimulation of artificial roots.
Can anyone get dental implants?
If you are healthy enough to undergo a routine dental extraction or oral surgery, you can be considered for a dental implant.
You must also have healthy gums and enough bone to hold an implant. You should also be prepared to maintain proper oral hygiene and have regular dental visits.
If you smoke or suffer from uncontrolled chronic disorders, such as diabetes or heart disease, or have had radiation therapy to the head/neck area, you will need to be evaluated on an individual basis.
Frequently asked questions?
Are dental implants permanent?
Dental implants are not considered permanent, but they are considered the most permanent solution to dental loss.
Unlike dentures that can be taken out, dental implants stay in your mouth the whole time. Dental implants don’t move around in your mouth since they integrate with your jawbone.
Dentures may need to be replaced every five to eight years. However, if you look after your dental implants, they could last 25 years or more. By cleaning your full mouth implants properly, you can make them last a very long time.
Will dental implants stop bone loss?
Like all cells, bone cells eventually grow old and need to be replaced. In normal circumstances, natural teeth stimulate bone growth in the jaw.
Natural teeth roots are attached to the jawbone. As we chew our food, the pressure exerted passes through to the jaw and encourages new growth.
However, when you are missing a single tooth or teeth, the jawbone can weaken in that area.
Dental implants can help in this regard. This is one of the main reasons why dental implants are considered the most suitable option for replacing teeth.
The titanium posts exert the needed pressure on your jaw to stimulate bone growth. Without this, your existing teeth could become crooked and even fall out.
What are dental implants made of?
Scientists have discovered that titanium has certain properties that allow the bone to form a strong bond. Therefore, most dental implants have titanium implant fixtures.
They make up the part that mimics the roots, screw-like parts that fuse to the jawbone in a process called osseointegration. This provides a strong foundation for the dental crown that fits on top.
Crowns are usually made from porcelain or another strong tooth-colored material.
