Restore the Smile with Full Arch Dental Implants
The loss of a single tooth can weaken oral functions and compromise the health of adjacent teeth. The consequences are even greater when an entire arch of teeth is lost. Dentures replace an arch of teeth to restore the smile. Dentures are often portrayed as ill-fitting, but they don’t have to be that way.
Dental implants fuse with the jaw to act as replacement tooth roots, anchoring down dental restorations, such as dentures. Full arch dental implants support dentures so that they are strong and secure. Dr. Edward Narcisi is happy to help his Monroeville, PA, and Pittsburgh, PA, patients consider whether full arch dental implants may be right for them.
Full Arch Dental Implant Candidates
Full arch dental implants may be considered when someone has lost all of their teeth - or nearly all - from either the upper or lower arch of the mouth. To be considered an ideal candidate for full arch dental implants, patients must have good oral health and be free of conditions that could compromise the success of dental implant treatment.
Dental implant success is dependent on a process known as osseointegration. During osseointegration the tissues of the jaw bone heal around the dental implant. This fuses the implant and the tissues together so that the implant essentially becomes part of the jaw. Osseointegration will not occur if there are not sufficient tissues within the jaw. Because of this, patients must have adequate bone density to undergo dental implant treatment. If bone density is a concern, patients can receive a bone graft to strengthen the jaw prior to dental implant treatment.
Dental Implant Treatment
Dental implant treatment takes place in several stages. The first stage of treatment is an oral surgery procedure. During the procedure small incisions are made in the gumline. Dental implants, which are small titanium screws, are inserted through these incisions and into the jaw bone. To support a full set of dentures, we typically place between four and six dental implants, which are strategically placed to take maximum advantage of bone density.
After the surgical procedure, patients need to recover before they can proceed to the next stage of dental implant treatment. It is during this recovery period that osseointegration should take place. We usually allow four to six months for the gums and jaw to fully heal and for the implant to fuse with the bone tissues before moving on to the next phase of treatment.
At the next dental implant appointment small incisions are made in the gums just above each dental implant. These incisions grant access to the dental implants and allow us to place small metal abutments. The abutments protrude from the gumline and act as a connector between the dental implants and the dental restoration.
The final stage of implant treatment is placement of the dental restoration. When full arch dental implants are placed, they act as an anchor for a complete set of dentures. The dentures are attached to the metal abutments with a strong dental compound that cements them in place.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants offer our Monroeville patients many benefits that are unique to this missing tooth treatment. Full arch dental implants:
- Secure dentures so they do not slip or fall out of place
- Provide superior comfort
- Are easy to care for (restorations can be brushed along with the natural teeth)
- Stimulate the jaw bone to prevent degeneration
- Can last a lifetime
Contact Our Dental Office
If you have suffered from extensive tooth loss you may be an ideal candidate for full arch dental implants. To find out if dental implants can help you restore the strength and beauty of your smile, send us a message online, or call (412) 373-9447 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Edward Narcisi.
