Need to Replace All Your Teeth? What to Know About Using Dental Implants
Are you looking to replace all of your teeth and want to do it with dental implants? If so, you won't have to get an individual implant for each tooth, since there are methods that only involve using a few strategically placed implants. Here is what you need to know about the procedure.
1. What Is the Minimum Amount of Implants That Are Necessary?
You may have heard of all-on-4 dental implants before, which is a method used to replace someone's lower or upper jaw. As the name implies, it requires four dental implants to replace teeth on either your upper or lower jaw. If you need all your teeth replaced, it would require a minimum of eight dental implants. Anything less than four implants will cause the implant to fail, which is why the procedure is recommended by dentists for total mouth reconstruction.
2. Is Bone Loss a Concern for Dental Implants?
If you need all of your teeth replaced, you may have some significant problems with your jawbone that can cause a problem. Your dentist will likely require that you have a bone graft performed to strengthen the jawbone for the titanium posts that will be placed in your jaw. The bone graft will need time to heal first, which can delay the dental implant process until your body is ready.
3. Are Artificial Teeth Fixed or Removable?
When you are dealing with a full set of artificial teeth, you have an option for the teeth to be fixed or removable. Removable teeth can be easier to care for and keep clean since it is possible to remove the teeth and thoroughly clean the gums that surround the titanium posts. One thing to keep in mind is that fixed implants will likely require more than four implants per jaw. This is to ensure that the implants have stability and to help them feel natural in your mouth. Sometimes the choice for removable teeth is based on the cost since it will require fewer implants and be less involved to have them placed in your mouth.
Looking for more information on full mouth restoration? You can reach out to local dental implant providers in your area for a consultation. You'll be able to find out if you are a good candidate for dental implants, and how many will be necessary to restore your smile to how it once was.