If full arch dental implants sound like a drastic treatment option, that's because they are. Radical problems call for radical solutions, and full arch implants are a solution to perhaps the most extreme dental problem there is, namely total toothlessness. Even though the problem is drastic, full arch dental implants offer a solution that's more straightforward than expected.
When Full Arch Implants Are Recommended
Replacing all the teeth in a patient's mouth with full arch dental implants is a suitable treatment option in several circumstances:
What are the end results of full arch implants as a treatment option?
Artificial Roots and Teeth
Perhaps the most commonly known dental implant is the single tooth implant. This involves the insertion of a small titanium alloy screw into the patient's jaw. The bone heals around the metallic screw, which can then be used as an artificial tooth root. A natural-looking ceramic tooth is then secured to the implant. Full arch implants are different. Instead of a single ceramic tooth, the prosthetic teeth are connected in a bridge. This bridge encompasses a full dental arch (an upper or lower set of teeth). Instead of each tooth requiring a single implant, the bridge is secured with a series of implants (with four being the average number).
Dentures vs. Implants
Full arch dental implants may be considered alongside full dentures. Remember that an implant-supported dental prosthesis is often an upgrade from standard dentures. The reason for this is quite simple. Removable dentures rest on a patient's gums and palate. Their exact sizing allows suction to be created when dentures are inserted, and this is how they fit. Because they have no tooth roots, their bite force is limited. Replacing an arch of teeth with an implant-supported dental bridge creates a natural-feeling (and looking) set of prosthetic teeth.
The implantation process means that your replacement teeth will have comparable strength to natural teeth. Although artificial, they're permanently affixed to your jaw and can be treated just like natural teeth.
Contact a dental office like Mill Creek Dental to learn more.
Share17 March 2023
My son was outside playing with some friends when he accidentally fell down and hit his mouth on the sidewalk. The fall knocked out his front tooth, so I immediately placed the tooth in a small jar and added some milk. I rushed my son to the dental clinic and the dentist immediately took us into the examination room. The dentist placed the tooth back into the socket and saved it. My name is Beverly Tillman and thanks to the quick work of the dentist, my son didn't lose his tooth. Since this was a scary time for me and my son, I wanted to write this blog as a source of information for other parents who are facing a dental emergency. First of all, don't panic and get to your dentist as soon as possible. I hope this blog will help to answer your questions about dental emergencies.