Understanding the Process of Full-Arch Dental Implants
If you are missing most or all of your teeth or need multiple extractions, you may be weighing your replacement options. Today, full-arch dental implants are considered the premier option for replacing all of a patient's upper or lower teeth.
Many patients are curious about the advantages of full-arch dental implants and want to know more about the process. This blog provides a complete guide to the process and answers our patients' frequently asked questions.
About Full-Arch Dental Implants
Full-arch dental implants are advanced prosthetics that connect to anchors surgically implanted in the jawbone. To keep the prosthesis stable, most installations involve placing four to six implants per arch.
Your oral surgeon will explain your options and which implant type would work best in your situation. You may choose between a non-removable hybrid prosthesis or overdentures that clip onto implants.
Advantages of Full-Arch Dental Implants
Comfortable
Unlike conventional dentures, full-arch dental implants do not slip or click. Since they do not cover the upper palate, they allow clear speech and maximize patient comfort.
Convenient
Caring for traditional dentures can be a hassle, as they require daily removal and cleaning. However, most full-arch implants only require twice-daily brushing and flossing.
Protect Oral Health
One of the most significant disadvantages of conventional dentures is that they gradually damage oral bone structure. To maintain a proper fit, patients may need to undergo surgeries like ridge preservation. Full-arch dental implants help patients avoid additional procedures.
Full-arch dentures also help preserve jawbone strength by providing chewing stimulation. Conventional dentures, which sit on top of the gum tissue, do not have this advantage. Consequently, dentured patients' jawbones tend to atrophy, and their faces often develop a sunken look that is characteristic of advanced age.
Confidence Boost
Full-arch dental implants create beautiful, healthy smiles. Patients feel free to talk, laugh, and eat in public, whereas denture patients sometimes feel uneasy about these activities.
The Full-Arch Dental Implant Process
1. Consultation
You will schedule a visit with your oral surgeon to assess whether you are a good candidate for full-arch dental implants. Your oral surgeon will thoroughly explain the process, its advantages, and its drawbacks, ensuring that you understand each step before proceeding.
Your surgeon will create extensive digital images of your oral tissues, including CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) scans and digital X-rays. They will examine your oral anatomy and determine whether you need additional procedures like bone grafting before proceeding.
2. Sedation Options
You can choose anesthesia or sedation options based on your comfort level. Many patients report that local anesthesia is sufficient, but others prefer sedation during the procedure.
3. Extractions
Patients with remaining teeth will have them extracted. In many cases, oral surgeons can continue to implant placement during the same appointment.
4. Implant Placement
The doctor will make small openings in the gum and bone and then place four to six implant anchors. These anchors will hold the finished appliance.
5. Prosthetic Placement
Often, doctors can place a prosthetic on the same day as implant surgery. Depending on the patient's needs, it may be a temporary or permanent replacement.
6. Healing
Full-arch implant surgery is generally well-tolerated. As with any oral surgery, there may be stiffness, swelling, and discomfort during the following days. Typically, it takes two to four months for full-arch implants to heal completely. Always follow your surgeon's instructions for post-operative care.
Frequently Asked Questions About Full-Arch Dental Implants
How long will it take before I can eat a regular diet after my procedure?
For the first day, we recommend a liquid diet with nutritious items like smoothies and protein shakes. You may gradually add soft foods that require little to no chewing, like well-cooked pasta, mashed potatoes, and scrambled eggs.
As your implants heal, you can slowly return to a regular diet. Most patients are back to eating their favorite foods after a few weeks to a month. Avoid chewy, crunchy, and spicy food for several weeks to avoid causing discomfort.
How long do full-arch dental implants last?
If you take proper care of your implants, the anchors may last a lifetime, and the replacement teeth may last 20 years or more.
At Braasch OMS, we are proud to offer multiple options for full-arch dental implants. If you have compromised teeth and want to improve your quality of life, don't hesitate to get in touch with us at our Bedford, NH, office today. Dr. Braasch will gladly show you what full-arch dental implants can do to restore your healthy smile.