Thanks to advances in dental technology, there is a wide variety of tooth replacement options to choose from. If you are looking for a solution to replace several missing teeth, a full mouth dental implant treatment may be the perfect solution for you. Dental implants offer stability and security that many alternative treatments do not. However, the full mouth implant treatment process is a bit longer than many of the other options. Below is more information about the full mouth dental implant treatment procedure and the estimated timeline of the treatment process.
The Treatment Process
Choosing to get a full mouth dental implant treatment requires the investment of your money and your time. There are multiple steps to the treatment process that will occur over several dental visits. The entire process may take 3-9 months to complete from start to finish. While this may seem like a long time, the result is a permanent replacement solution that may last forever. Before we discuss the process, you should know there are three important components that will need to placed in the mouth:
* The dental implants: metal or ceramic posts that are surgically placed in the jaw and act like the roots of the new teeth
* The abutments: These are connecters that attach to the implant and allow the new teeth to be connected.
* The prosthetic teeth: These are the artificial teeth that are designed to function and look like healthy, natural teeth.
The Treatment Steps
The full mouth dental implant procedure is really a series of several procedures. The treatment steps usually include the following:
1. A planning visit: To prepare for the treatment, the most important step is having a detailed discussion with the dentist. This step is important to help you set expectations and understand the treatment plan and the timeline of the entire treatment process. Prior to the first procedure, your dentist will want to complete a comprehensive exam to evaluate the health of the teeth and jawbones, and to take x-rays and impressions. This exam is important to helping your dentist plan their surgery steps, select the right implant systems, and ensure the jawbone is healthy enough to handle the procedure.
2. The implant surgery: First, the implants will be placed. Small incisions are made in the gums to expose the underlying jawbone. A hole is then drilled into the jawbone to make room for the implant, and the implant is inserted. This process will be repeated for all of the implants.
3. The healing process: Over the next 2-6 months, a healing period is required to allow time for the implants and the bone to fuse together. This healing period when the fusing process, called osseointegration, occurs is essential to the success of the treatment.
4. The restoration is placed: Finally, the artificial teeth, whether it is a full bridge or full denture, can be attached to the abutments on top of the implants. This last procedure is relatively quick, and you will experience almost immediate benefits, including restored confidence in your smile and the ability to chew and speak normally.