Understanding Full-Mouth Restorations

Posted on: 30 June 2023

Full-mouth dental implants are applied to replace all the natural teeth in the upper and lower jaws with artificial ones. These appliances are different from dentures, which are removable and rest on the gums or bridges. Full-mouth implant-based restorations are anchored to the jawbone with titanium posts that act as artificial tooth roots. They provide a stable and durable solution for people who have lost all their teeth from decay, injury, or disease.

Here is a bit of information about full-mouth implants to help you better understand them.

Benefits of Full-mouth Implants

There are multiple benefits associated with full-mouth implants. They include:

Improved appearance. They look and feel like natural teeth. Additionally, full-mouth restoration can restore the shape and contour of your face.
Improved function. Full-mouth implants allow you to eat, speak and chew normally, without worrying about slipping or clicking dentures.
Improved comfort. The full-mouth restoration does not cause irritation or inflammation of the gums, unlike dentures. They also do not require adhesives or special cleaning products.
Improved confidence. Full-mouth dental implants can boost your self-esteem and enhance your quality of life because you can smile and socialize without embarrassment or discomfort.

Process of Receiving Full-mouth Implants

The process of getting full-mouth dental implants involves several steps.

Consultation

You will meet with a dentist or oral surgeon who will evaluate your oral health, medical history, bone density, and jaw structure. They will also discuss the options, costs, and expectations of the treatment.

Preparation

You may need to undergo some procedures before getting the implants, such as tooth extraction, bone grafting, sinus lifting, or infection treatment. These are done to ensure that the gums and jawbone are healthy enough to support the implants.

Surgery

You will receive local or general anesthesia and sedation to ensure your comfort throughout the implantation procedure. The oral surgeon or dentist will make small cuts in the gingival tissues and drill holes in the jawbone where the titanium posts will be inserted. The number of posts may vary depending on the type of implant system used. The incisions will be stitched up and covered with a protective material.

Healing

You will need to wait for several months for the jawbone to heal and fuse with the titanium posts. This is called osseointegration, and it is essential for the stability and success of the implants. During this period of healing, you may wear a temporary appliance to cover the gaps in your mouth.

Restoration

Once the jawbone is fully healed, you will return to the dentist or oral surgeon who will attach abutments to the posts. These are connectors that hold the artificial teeth in place. The artificial teeth are custom-made from impressions or digital scans of your mouth. They can be either fixed or removable, depending on your preference and needs.

To learn more about full-mouth dental implants, schedule a consultation with a dentist in your area.

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When my three children were young, they were all excited to go to the dentist. The dentist's office was great fun with a large fish tank and a variety of puzzle toys in the waiting room. I liked the pediatric dental office so much that I jumped at the chance when I was offered a receptionist job. Many of the children who came to see the dentist were not nearly as happy as my children. Most kids were scared and anxious, and I learned fairly quickly that the children were worried because they had no idea what to expect. The dentist at the office provided me with a set of dental tools that I could show to the children. I explained how each of the devices worked. This eased the fears, and I started this blog so parents could share dental information with their children before dental visits.

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