Full mouth dental implants are an option if you are missing most or all of your teeth due to damage, periodontal disease, or tooth decay. You may also hear the procedure referred to as full mouth restoration or reconstruction.
Full mouth dental implants mimic the presence of natural teeth and also look natural, so much so that the casual observer is unlikely to be able to distinguish your implants from natural teeth. Full mouth implants can restore your smile and eliminate problems with chewing and speaking. They also help preserve existing jaw bone and help prevent facial sagging, promoting a more youthful appearance.
In a nutshell, full mouth implants are the best strong, stable, comfortable, long-term solution that promotes better overall health.It is important to remember that it is not without its risks and potential complications. It involves aggressive procedures that are the most complex implant treatments in dentistry. In spite of this, full mouth reconstructions done with dental implants deliver amazing results that can last a lifetime!
What is the process for full mouth implants?
Full mouth restoration or reconstruction is the best solution for naturally replacing all of your teeth in one or both jaws. If you have remaining teeth that are damaged or decayed past the point of repair, your dentist or oral surgeon will need to remove them. In fact, it may be the only way to fully restore your mouth to something approaching the appearance and function of a full set of natural teeth.
The process obviously includes a diagnostic and planning stage that involves exams, x-rays, and CBCT scans.
The treatment stage includes:
- the placement of four to eight implants in the upper jaw
- the placement of four to eight implants in the lower jaw
- fabrication of fixed temporary bridges
- fabrication of the final bridges
- Attachment of the natural looking bridges by screws or cement
How do you determine if you’re a good candidate for full mouth dental implants?
You may be a good candidate for full mouth dental implants if you have lost most or all of your natural teeth and:
- healthy gum tissue
- adequate jawbone quantity and quality
- an absence of medical conditions that might negatively impact healing, including diabetes
- patience, as a full mouth reconstruction typically takes six months or longer to complete
If you’re a smoker, you’ll also need to stop smoking. Other lifestyle changes, like reduced consumption of alcohol, may be necessary as well.
Your implant dentist can evaluate your mouth, jawbone and overall health to determine whether you’re a good candidate for full mouth restoration or reconstruction.
If you’re a good candidate for a complex implant treatment like a full mouth restoration, you may also be a good candidate for alternative treatments that deliver complete oral health via procedures that are not as involved or costly. Getting a second or even third option is advisable when considering a treatment as involved as a full mouth reconstruction.
Cost of full mouth reconstruction
The cost of a full mouth restoration or reconstruction depends on a variety of factors, including your implant dentist’s level of training and experience, your geographic location, implant type, the number of teeth added and whether or not bone grafting is required. You will also want to factor in the cost of any associated or preoperative procedures.
You should ask your implant dentist if the following costs are additional:
- Initial oral evaluation/consultation
- Dental x rays
- Cone beam CT scan (CBCT)
- Anesthesia/sedation
Full mouth dental implant brands and materials
There are several well-respected companies that manufacture dental implants. Your implant dentist will likely mention one or more of these brand names when discussing full mouth implants with you.
- Straumann
- Nobel Biocare
- Dentsply Sirona
- Zimmer Biomet
- BioHorizons
- Blue Sky Bio
- Implant Direct
- Shatkin
All of the dental implants these companies produce are manufactured using surgical grade titanium alloys, which are similar in composition to the materials used to create artificial joints.
Titanium is ideal for dental implants because it is:
- Non-corrosive
- Non-magnetic
- Lightweight
- Incredibly strong under stress
In addition, osteocytes (bone cells) integrate well with titanium and tend to grow towards the metal itself.
Preoperative advice and tips
Prior to the procedure your implant dentist may prescribe specific medications; s/he may also ask you to stop taking certain medications.
Requirements typically include the following do’s and don’ts:
- Do brush your teeth prior to your appointment
- Do wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing
- Don’t drink alcohol for at least 24 hours prior to the procedure
- Don’t eat or drink anything prior to your appointment
It’s important that you follow all of your dentist’s instructions precisely because each directive is specifically designed to increase the chances of a successful procedure.
Bone density requirements & preoperative scans
Proper diagnosis and pre-procedure planning are essential to a successful full mouth reconstruction. Implant dentists now have amazingly advanced technologies available in the office that aid in diagnosis and planning, including cone beam or CBCT imaging. The 3-D images allow your implant dentist to produce the best possible plan for your treatment.
For instance, bone quality and quantity can be observed and measured precisely so that the correct implant design can be chosen. Full mouth dental implants require a certain level of bone quality and quantity; if you don’t have it, bone grafting can create a more solid base for your implants. But the use of cone beam imaging or other CT scans leads to fewer risks, safer implant procedures, and better outcomes.
Anesthesia: Are you sedated for same full mouth dental implants?
Generally speaking, most dental implant procedures are performed using local anesthetic, which numbs the treatment area intraorally. It is very safe and predictable and “right” for the vast majority of these procedures.
Getting full mouth implants involves a longer procedure than, say, a simple single implant procedure and general anesthesia is typically utilized, as it’s ideal for comfort for long procedures. You should discuss sedation options with your implant dentist during the initial consultation and planning phases.
Are full mouth dental implants a same day procedure?
No. You’ll need a consultation before getting full mouth dental implants, as well as x-rays and CT scans. If you have any teeth remaining that are badly decayed or damaged those will need to be removed. You may also need bone grafts to add jaw bone. Finally, you will receive dental implants in your upper and/or lower jaw, plus fixed temporary bridges. Then natural looking porcelain teeth are attached to your implants using either screws or cement.
A full mouth reconstruction generally requires a certain amount of flexibility and patience on the part of patients.
Duration of the process for full mouth reconstruction
The process begins with a dental exam and evaluation, including an assessment of your functional needs and aesthetic desires. The initial consultation is a good chance for you to ask questions about treatment options, and for your implant dentist to develop a personalized treatment plan. At this stage, your dentist will use state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging tools to help discern whether you possess adequate bone density and bone volume for the procedure. In many cases, preparatory dental work may be necessary.
The treatment stage includes:
- the placement of four to eight implants in the upper jaw
- the placement of four to six implants in the lower jaw
Last, natural-looking porcelain teeth are attached to the implants using either screws or cement.
Proper upkeep, issues with recovery and peri-implantitis
The success of any dental implant comes down to the way it fuses to the bone. You’ll want to have an open conversation with your implant dentist to decide whether full mouth dental implants might be right for you. You’ll also need to be prepared to follow your dentist’s pre- and post-operative instructions precisely, to maximize the chance that your procedure is a success.
Peri-implantitis, a condition that is characterized by inflammation and progressive loss of supporting bone, is another concern. The onset of peri-implantitis can occur early during follow-up and often progresses in a non-linear and accelerating pattern. There is evidence that patients who exhibit poor plaque control skills and are less diligent about maintenance care have an increased risk of developing peri-implantitis.
Post-procedure tips and advice for proper healing of same day implants
Post-procedure care is imperative to the successful healing of full mouth implants. It’s very important that you follow all post-operative directions, including specific instructions for brushing, flossing and rinsing.
Typically implant dentists also advise that:
- A responsible adult stays with you for at least 12 hours following surgery
- You rest at home for at least three days following surgery
Smoking is also strictly prohibited and you must stay on a soft diet for at least several weeks. Your dentist may also advise that you refrain from exercise or strenuous activity for the first week following surgery, as an elevated heart rate may delay healing.
How to prevent implant failure
If you get full-mouth dental implants it’s vital that you follow your dentist’s pre- and post-operative instructions without fail. In terms of behaviors that can lead to implant failure, smoking is far and away the biggest detriment to implant healing due to vasoconstriction—that is, limited blood flow to the surgical site.