Losing your teeth can be devastating since it affects your diet, smile, appearance, self-esteem, and overall health. Fortunately, with dental implant full mouth treatment, you can restore your beautiful smile. If you are contemplating all lower or upper teeth replacement, contact La Puente Dental Implant Center. Our dentists take pride in serving patients in La Puente for many years.

What is Full Mouth Treatment?

Dental implant full mouth treatment is a treatment option that transforms decayed, missing, and cosmetically damaged teeth into a new, functional, beautiful smile. It's an effective solution for patients with several needs, such as those who have experienced bone loss for years and those with missing teeth as a result of tooth decay, periodontal disease, aging, or accident.

After your initial consultation at your dentist's office, the dentist should create a customized treatment plan that meets your needs. The treatment plan should leave you with a completely new, rebuilt set of teeth at the end of treatment.

Full mouth implant treatment is a method that replaces all teeth in the entire mouth. It is a challenging dental treatment, and the doctor performing it must undergo extensive training. Generally, the procedure entails:

  • Diagnostic and planning stages that involve mouth CT (computerized tomography) scans, smile design, X-rays, virtual planning and diagnostic mock-ups.
  • Fixing implants on the upper jawbone usually, they are between six (6) and eight (8) implants.
  • Fixing four (4) to six (6) dental implants on your lower jawbone.
  • Temporarily fixed bridge fabrication.
  • Fitting of the teeth or crowns on the implant using dental cement or screws.

To comprehend how the technique in question works, you need first to understand what dental implants are. A dental implant is a tiny titanium screw that fits in the jawbone and replaces the root of your missing tooth. Minor surgery is needed to insert the dental implant. After your implant is placed, a crown is attached. The crown gives you a beautiful and functional prosthetic tooth.

Reasons Why Full Mouth Dental Implant Treatment is Popular

Do you have missing teeth that need to be replaced but are uncertain of what replacement option to use? Have you considered implants but are not sure if the implants meet your needs and preference? Dentists at La Puente Dental Implant Center often recommend full mouth implants for patients with missing teeth. It is because implants offer numerous benefits. Read on the section below to learn about the benefits of dental implant full mouth treatment:

Implants are Durable

The first thing you need to know about implants is the fact that they are tailored to last. The titanium rods are placed into the jawbone to function as the natural tooth root. Additionally, the bond they create with the jawbone is robust. With proper hygiene, dental implants can last for many years. That means once you undergo the treatment, you will reap the benefits for many years.

Improved Bone and Facial Features

An implant preserves your natural tooth tissue by avoiding the need to cut down adjacent teeth for conventional bridgework. They also preserve bone and substantially reduce bone deterioration and resorption that causes loss of jawbone height.

Additionally, when you've a gap, the bone of your jaw shrinks. Since implants are inserted into the jawbone, they imitate the natural tooth root and stop bone deterioration.

Dental Implants Don't Move or Slip

If you require a full-mouth restoration, you might be considering dentures. However, you need to keep in mind that dentures are not durable and can move or shift while putting on whether you're talking or eating. With implants, on the other hand, the replicated crowns which cover implants aren't removable and will not move or slip. That means you can smile as well as enjoy your favorite treats and foods without worrying about your implant falling out.

Have a Natural Look that Offers Confidence

Dental implant full mouth treatment and the crowns which cover implants are a close alternative to your natural teeth. They function and look like your natural teeth. That way, they give patients confidence to eat, smile, and engage in social activities without worrying about how they look or if the dentures will fall out.

High Success Rate

Generally, well maintained and planned dental implants have a high success rate compared to other teeth replacement options. Also, as dental implant full mouth treatment technology improves, so does their success rate. Healthy people have a better chance of successful dental restoration.

Improved Chewing

Sliding dentures make chewing hard. Since dental implants function like your natural teeth, they allow you to eat different types of foods without feeling pain and with confidence.

Boosts Speech

With dentures, your teeth can slip within your mouth, resulting in you slurring or mumbling your words. Implants permit you to speak without worrying that your teeth can slip.

Ideal Candidates for Full Mouth Treatment

If you're considering dental implant full mouth treatment, it is essential to know what factors make you a perfect candidate for the procedure. These factors include:

  • You must be healthy. For a patient to qualify for full mouth treatment, they must have healthy gums and teeth since periodontal disease can lower the success rate of the procedure. Additionally, they should be committed to maintaining good oral hygiene as well as not suffer from diabetes or an autoimmune condition. Chronic conditions interfere with the healing process.
  • Ideally, you should be a non-smoker. Tobacco and its by-products interfere with osseointegration.
  • You should have good bone density. During your initial consultation, your dentist will confirm if you have enough bone density to support the full mouth dental implant. If not, you will undergo bone grafting.
  • You should not be expectant.

Dental Implant Full Mouth Treatment Procedure

A dental implant involves replacing a tooth root with screw-like posts and metal. It is an alternative to bridgework or dentures that does not fit well or when the absence of natural teeth does not permit building bridgework or denture tooth replacement.

How the procedure is performed depends primarily on your jawbone's condition and the type of dental implant. The process involves numerous procedures.

Preparing for the Procedure

The preparation process involves numerous specialists like:

  • A specialist in face, jaw, and mouth conditions.
  • A periodontist.
  • A prosthodontist.

Since the dental implant requires at least one surgical procedure, you should have an assessment in preparation for your dental implant procedure, such as a:

  • Comprehensive oral examination - You can have dental 3D images or X-rays and then have models of your jaw and teeth.
  • Medical history review - Make sure you speak with your physician about your medical condition and any medication you are taking, including supplements and a prescription. If you've orthopedic implants or heart disease, the doctor could prescribe an antibiotic before the procedure to stop infections.
  • Your treatment plan - Your doctor will also come up with a plan that takes your jawbone condition, the number of teeth you want to replace, and your overall health into account.

Sedation, general anesthesia, or local anesthesia will be used to regulate pain during surgery.  Speak to your dentist about your best option. Your dental expert will recommend what to eat or drink before the procedure (depending on your anesthesia). If you choose general anesthesia or sedation, have a loved one take you home following the surgery.

What to Expect

Usually, full mouth treatment is carried out in phases, with recovery time between the stages. The process involves the following steps:

Extraction of Damaged Teeth

The initial step of the process involves teeth extraction. In most cases, the dental implant site still has a damaged tooth that should be extracted.

Bone Grafting

If the bone in your jaw is soft or is not thick, you might require a bone graft before undergoing surgery. It is because chewing exerts pressure on the bone, and in case it cannot support the dental implant, most likely, the procedure will not succeed. The bone graft creates a robust base for your restoration.

Numerous materials can be used. They include:

  • Natural bone graft like from another body location.
  • Synthetic bone graft.

Be sure to speak with your dental expert about the option that suits your needs.

It can take a couple of months for your transplanted bone to grow adequate bone to support your dental implant full mouth treatment. Sometimes, you might require a minor bone graft that can be carried out simultaneously with the surgery. Your jawbone's condition determines your progress.

Dental Implant Placement

During this stage, your dentist will open the gums and expose the bone. Then holes will be drilled in your bone where your implant post will be inserted. Because the metal post will function as your tooth's root, it will be inserted deep into your bone.

Following the placing of the implant post, osseointegration begins. Osseointegration allows the jawbone to grow and bond with your implant surface. The process can take months, offering a strong base for the implant.

Placing Your Abutment

After osseointegration is done, you will undergo another procedure to place your abutment. The surgery is carried out with anesthesia.

To place your dental abutment:

  1. The dentist reopens the gums to expose your implant.
  2. Your abutment is placed on the implant.
  3. Then the gum is closed.

Sometimes the abutment is placed on the implant metal post simultaneously with the metal post (the patient will not undergo another surgery). Since the abutment goes beyond the gum line, it is visible and will remain that way until the dental surgeon completes the tooth prosthesis. If you do not like the appearance, you can have your abutment inserted in a different procedure.

The healing process takes approximately two weeks.

Picking the Artificial Teeth

After the gums recover, the dentist will take impressions of the mouth. The impressions will be used to make a crown. The crown cannot be installed until the jawbone is robust enough to support the use of the new teeth.

You can pick:

  • Removable - Removable implants look like removable dentures. They have artificial teeth with pink plastic gums. They are mounted onto metal frames that are attached to the abutment and snap into place. They can be removed for cleaning or repair.
  • Fixed - Fixed dental implants are permanently cemented or screwed onto the implant abutment. They cannot be removed when going to bed or for cleaning.

Following the Dental Implant Procedure

Regardless of whether you’ve had the procedure during one dentist's appointment or in several stages, you can experience discomforts linked to the procedure, including:

  • Gums and skin bruising.
  • Pain at the surgical site.
  • Gums and face swelling.
  • Minor bleeding.

Discussed below are ways you can manage pain and discomfort:

Salty Water

Gently rinse your mouth with warm salty water. It can assist in relieving pain and fighting bacteria. Although it can burn you when rinsing, it is instrumental in the recovery process.

Medication

You might require antibiotics or pain medication following the surgical procedure. If the discomfort or swelling worsens, talk to your dentist about increasing your dosage or prescribing alternative drugs.

Soft Foods

After any surgical stage, take soft foods like yogurt, smoothies, or anything pureed as the surgical site recovers. Avoid candies and hard foods.

Rest

Also, give your jaw and body adequate rest. Do not engage in strenuous or body lifting activities. Allow your body to use as much energy as it requires to heal the mouth.

Ice

Within the first few days, you can use ice to numb the pain as well as reduce swelling. Apply the ice on the cheek over the sensitive region. You can use it in the form of frozen vegetables that are wrapped in a piece of cloth or ice packs.

Dental Implant Risks

Just like any surgical procedure, a dental implant has health risks. Risks are rare, and when they take place, they are minor and can be treated with ease. They include:

  • Damage or injury to the neighboring structure like blood vessels or other teeth.
  • Infection at the surgical site.
  • Nerve damage that can result in tingling, numbness, or pain in your teeth, chin, gums, or lips.
  • Sinus challenges when implants inserted in the upper jaw protrude into your sinus cavity.

Does a Full Mouth Treatment Hurt?

You'll experience some pain after the procedure. During the surgery, there should be no pain since you will be given anesthesia. Nevertheless, as the numbness wears off, you will start feeling some discomfort.

You can never tell how long the pain will last. Every patient is unique.

Factors that Can Lead to Additional Pain

Apart from the typical pain from the complication-free dental implant surgery, the following issues can cause more pain and discomfort:

  • Loose healing cap - Occasionally, the tiny screw in the implant becomes loose during the recovery process. As a result, your dentist will be required to remove the dental cap, clean it, and fit it again.
  • Loose implant - If your jawbone doesn't have adequate bone mass, the implant might loosen, leading to pain and discomfort. More often than not, the dental expert will remove and replace your implant.
  • Infection - Gum infection is another cause of pain. If diagnosed early, it is treatable.
  • Nerve damage - Nerve damage is rare. It happens when an oral surgeon damages a nerve through their drill or by inserting the implant near a nerve. Your dental implant should be removed and replaced.
  • Bone burn - Bone burn happens when the heat of the dentist drill damages the bone around your surgical area. If it occurs, your dentist should remove any affected bone and your dental implant.
  • Failed implant - Implant rejection happens when the implant fails to integrate with the patient's bone, and the body rejects the implant. Should it happen, the implant becomes loose, consequently causing pain.

How to Maintain Your Dental Implant Full Mouth Treatment

The daily care of dental implants is similar to natural teeth care. Without proper regular care, your implants can develop complications. The earliest sign of complications is mucositis (observation of bleeding). If discovered and treated early, the condition is treatable. Otherwise, it can result in peri-implantitis, advanced bone loss, and removal of your dental implant.

Caring and cleaning the implants also prolongs the implants' functionality and appearance.

Below is a guide on how clean your implants:

Brush Twice a Day

Make sure you brush at least twice a day. It gets rid of bacteria and reduces the risk of decay and plaque buildup. It is also advisable to brush after every meal to eliminate bacteria as well as food debris.

Floss Daily

With dental implant full mouth treatment, flossing is essential. It's because plaque can easily accumulate around your implants, leading to dental hygiene challenges.

The best thing is that there are numerous kinds of flosses designed for people with implants. Therefore, you don't have an excuse for not flossing.

If you have challenges taking time to floss, the following tips can help you floss regularly:

  • Set a reminder on your cell phone.
  • Always reward yourself for flossing.
  • Floss while watching television.

Avoid Abrasive Toothpaste

Always use a toothpaste that doesn't have abrasive ingredients like a stain remover agent or baking soda. These ingredients could not only wear on acrylic but also remove the glaze from porcelain implants. Ask the dental expert for recommendations.

Brush Both Around and Under Your Dental Implant Crown

Plaque and bacteria might accumulate around and under the crown leading to peri-implantitis. To reach the areas, use an angled-neck toothbrush.

Use a Soft-Bristled Toothbrush

Following the dental implant full mouth treatment, you might need to change your toothbrush. You can use a nylon toothbrush. It has soft bristles that are gentle on your implants. Avoid using any metallic instrument to clean your teeth once the implants are placed.

Additionally, you can use a Proxabrush to clean areas that are difficult to reach around the implant. 

Avoid Alcohol or Smoking

Alcohol and smoking affect not only your oral health but also your overall health. It slows down the dental implant recovery process and should be avoided at all costs.

Avoid Hard and Sticky Foods

Eating sticky and hard foods can damage your dental implant full mouth treatment. These foods include:

  • Caramel.
  • Ice.
  • Candies.
  • Dried fruit.
  • Steak.
  • Apples.
  • Crusty bread.
  • Carrots.

Visit Your Dentist Regularly

Proper dental implant maintenance requires more than at-home care. You should also attend regular examinations and professional cleaning. Your dentist has the tools and training needed to remove bacteria and plaque. During your appointment, the dentist should:

  • Examine your implants with an X-ray.
  • Measure your gums around your dental implant.
  • Check your bite.
  • Analyze the implant's stability and look for any looseness.
  • Assess all components attracted to your dental implant.

Moreover, the dentist will give you recommendations to improve the home dental care routine. 

How Much Does Full Mouth Treatment Cost?

Full mouth dental implant cost varies depending on where you get the implant, implant type, how many teeth you will get, and dentist's training. The cost should also include different charges for the various services that are part of the surgery, including:

  • Consultation - You will require a consultation before the procedure. During the consultation, your dentist will evaluate your mouth and determine if a dental implant is the best replacement option. Remember to confirm with your dentist if they offer a free consultation.
  • X-rays and imaging tests - Getting X-rays, among other imaging tests, is an integral part of the surgery. The dentist will use the results to determine the most effective placement for the full mouth implants. Additionally, the tests will help the specialist to see how healthy your jawbone is and the mass.
  • Tooth extraction - If you've damaged or decayed teeth, your dentist should remove them. It is a simple procedure.
  • Bone grafting - As previously mentioned, you should have adequate jawbone for full mouth treatment. If you don't have this, you will require bone grafts.
  • Crowns and connector pieces costs.

Find a Dental Expert Near Me

Your missing teeth could be replaced with a more effective alternative to a denture that feels and looks like your natural teeth. At La Puente Dental Implant Center, we provide full mouth dental implants to improve speaking and chewing. It is because they fit well in the mouth without slipping. On top of that, all you need to maintain is your usual daily dental hygiene routine. Our dental experts use top-notch technology that permits us to insert your full mouth implants with the most accurate outcome possible. Call us today at 626-995-0456 for more information, or to schedule your initial consultation.