Our teeth are some of the most aesthetic components of our face, and this is perhaps why people feel incredibly self-conscious when they lose even a single tooth. Most people opt for dentures to replace a full-arch of teeth and restore their smile.There is another option for people who prefer a more natural-looking, easy-to-maintain solution for missing teeth: full-arch dental implants.
What Are Full-Arch Dental Implants?
Full-arch dental implant restoration is a dental procedure that uses a series of four to six implants and a set of permanent or removable dentures to restore an entire arch of missing or decayed teeth. Each implant involves a titanium or ceramic screw compatible with human bone and a connector known as an abutment. The implant placement is positioned into the jawbone, similar to roots of natural teeth, they fuse with the jawbone over time. The abutment attaches to the top of the implant and serves as an anchor point for the replacement teeth.
Unlike traditional dental implants, full-arch implants can replace all of your upper or lower teeth at the same time. They also help strengthen and protect your jawbone by preventing bone resorption after tooth loss.
The Full-Arch Restoration Procedure
The procedure of full-arch dental implants is similar to a single-tooth implant procedure. However, this process involves extracting your remaining natural teeth in your upper or lower jaw before your full-arch restoration surgery.
Our dedicated team of surgeons and nurses at Precision Oral Surgery will clean and numb your mouth before inserting a series of implants in each arch. We will then fix a set of temporary dentures to the implants until they heal. Initial healing may take a few weeks, but the implants may take around three to six months to heal and fuse with your jawbone completely. You must take extra precautions while eating with these temporary dentures to avoid damaging the implants.
Once the implants have healed, we will attach dentures or bridges and complete the procedure. You can choose to fix them permanently or make them removable. The procedure takes over three to four sessions. However, it may take longer if bone grafting or multiple teeth extractions are required.
Who Is Suitable for Full-Arch Dental Implant Restoration?
Full-arch replacements are suitable if you have lost most or all of your teeth or suffer from severe periodontal disease. To be eligible for full-arch restoration, you should have good general and oral health and enough jaw bone to support the implants. It’s also preferred if you are a non-smoker and do not suffer from diabetes. During your initial consultation, we will assess your candidacy for the procedure through X-ray and CT scans.
The Cost of Full-Arch Dental Implants Procedure
The overall cost of a full-arch implant procedure can vary based on several factors, including the brand of the implants, diagnostic tests, treatment complexity, location of the clinic, and many more. However, acrylic or composite-resin full-arch dental implants generally range from $15,000 to $24,000, while porcelain full-arch dental implants range from $21,000 to $30,000.
Precision Oral Surgery will work with you to accommodate a variety of financial circumstances, ensuring that the cost of implants does not prevent you from making the best choice for your oral health. We work with various insurance providers and provide financing and payment options to make smile restoration affordable for everyone.
Benefits of Full-Arch Dental Implants
According to the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), full-mouth dental implants provide many benefits over other teeth replacement options like traditional dentures. The main benefit is that it looks and functions like your natural teeth. Other benefits include:
- Full-arch dental implants are more durable, comfortable, and stable than conventional dentures and allow you to talk and eat without difficulty.
- They are easy to care for and maintain compared to conventional dentures, which must be removed and cleaned after eating and soaked overnight. Full-arch dental implants only require regular brushing and flossing for maintenance.
- Full-arch dental implants also help prevent jaw bone loss in patients missing a full mouth of teeth and help maintain their natural facial appearance and beautiful smile.
- The full-mouth implant restoration process is cheaper and less time-consuming than single-tooth implants.
Potential Risks of Full-Arch Dental Implants
Dental implants provide a permanent solution for people who have lost teeth due to an injury, periodontal disease, or other reasons. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), they also boast a success rate of 90 to 95%. However, as with any surgical procedure, there are a few potential risks connected with full-arch dental implants that must be considered when deciding whether or not the procedure is appropriate for you.
Some of the risks of full-arch restoration include:
- Contracting infections around the operation sites.
- Damaging nerves or blood vessels during the surgery.
- Sinus problems once the implants are inserted in the upper jaw.
Despite the potential risks associated with the full-arch implant procedure, it remains a safe and proven treatment process to achieve a beautiful, natural, and long-lasting smile. Many people worldwide are increasingly opting for full-arch dental implants to improve their quality of life and confidence.
Whether you’re looking into dental implant surgery or another form of dental surgery, Precision Oral Surgery is dedicated to providing you with the best care possible. Schedule an appointment with us at one of our convenient locations in Greeley or Thornton, Colorado.
