Full Mouth Dental Implants Procedure
Every patient will have a slightly different experience with regards to the steps involved in getting full mouth dental implants and what their recovery time is, but in general you can expect the following:
- Initial appointment: During your initial examination, your dentist or periodontist will evaluate your teeth and gums, review your medical and oral health history, and if necessary, diagnose the underlying issue that has necessitated the need for full mouth dental implants. Diagnostic tests are then taken (CT scans, x-rays, smile design, virtual planning, etc.) and a treatment plan is developed.
- Preparatory procedures: In some cases, it may be necessary to first perform a bone graft and/or extract a tooth/teeth prior to placement of your full mouth dental implants. Following the extraction of a tooth, you will need to use a gauze to stop the bleeding and may need pain medication and ice therapy to manage discomfort and swelling. Recovery time is usually a few days. If a bone graft is necessary, you will be sore for a few days following the procedure, and it can take anywhere from three months to one year for a bone graft to fuse with your natural bone.
- Placement of posts: Once the graft is complete, at your next appointment four, six, or eight implants are strategically placed in the upper jaw and four to six implants are placed in the lower jaw. Like a bone graft, it will take several months for these posts to fully integrate with your jawbone.
- Placement of permanent crown: Once the posts have completed the osseointegration process, permanent porcelain teeth are fixed using screws or dental cement, after which you can begin enjoying a fully restored, aesthetically pleasing functional smile.
Consider the Benefits
For most people, the cost and time involved in getting full mouth dental implants can feel like a lot, which is why it is important to consider the benefits you will enjoy once your full mouth dental implant process is complete in order to determine if these benefits justify the time and money you will have to spend.
- Long lasting, if not permanent solution
- Feels just like your natural teeth
- Prevents further jawbone deterioration
- Restored functionality, meaning you can enjoy all kinds of food
- No special maintenance required, beyond normal oral hygiene
- Comfortable and stable
- Restored self confidence
Factors that Cause an Implant to Fail
When cared for properly, full mouth dental implants can provide indefinite sustainability; however, there are underlying reasons why an implant may weaken prematurely. Underlying medical conditions, such as cancer or diabetes increases an individual’s risk of experiencing dental implant failure. Another factor that can cause an implant to fail is improper or insufficient dental hygiene. Like your natural teeth, full mouth dental implants require daily maintenance, which includes brushing and flossing twice daily. If proper oral health care is not followed, a person increases their risk of developing gum disease, which can also be an underlying cause of implant failure.
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