Most will agree that having one or more missing teeth, either as a result of decay or trauma, can take a toll on one’s self-esteem. Fortunately, there are a variety of dental restorations that can help restore your smile and also improve how your teeth function in the process. One restoration in particular that has become a go-to for both dentists and patients is dental implants.
A Comprehensive Guide to Restoring Your Smile and Oral Health
For those who are not familiar with them, dental implants are titanium posts designed to replace the root portion of a missing tooth. And these posts, which are fused to the jaw bone, can be fitted with a crown that resembles natural teeth. Although dental implants have been used to fill the void left behind by 1 or 2 missing teeth for years, they have only been recently made available to those seeking whole mouth dental implants.
WHOLE SET OF TEETH IMPLANTS: WHAT KIND OF FULL MOUTH DENTAL IMPLANTS ARE AVAILABLE?
Now that we have a rudimentary understanding of dental implants, let’s take a look at the full mouth variation of these popular dental restorations. In most cases, dental implants used to replace multiple missing teeth will entail using either all on 4 or all on 6 implants. The primary difference between these two full mouth dental implants comes down to how many titanium posts will need to be fused to the patient’s jaw bone to support their artificial teeth. For reference, all on 4 dental implants, as the name might suggest, entails placing four implants into a patient’s jaw while the all on 6 variant will require a total of six. That said, either variation of these full jaw implants is superior to dental bridges, dentures, and many other types of dental restorations available to those seeking to fill the void left behind by multiple missing teeth.
FULL JAW IMPLANTS: ALL ON 4 VERSUS ALL ON 6
After deciding to get dental implants, prospective patients also have to choose between all on 4 dental implants or all on 6 dental implants, which can be difficult. If you live in Los Angeles and share this concern, you will be happy to know that most dentists offer free consultations where they will recommend the best option based on how many missing teeth you have and your overall oral health. With that, let’s take a look at a few more differences between all on 4 dental implants and all on 6 dental implants.
In essence, both dental implants will improve your smile and make eating food significantly easier. However, all on 6 implants would be a better choice for those missing most of their natural teeth. After all, using more implants will allow for even distribution of pressure when you bite and chew food, which helps contribute to stronger and more stable teeth.
All on 4 dental implants are generally better suited for individuals with fewer missing teeth, given that whatever teeth they have remaining can help facilitate the even distribution of pressure when they bite and chew food. In either case, however, the patient will need to have enough bone tissue to support these dental implants. On a side note, more bone tissue will be needed to support all on 6 dental implants.
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN GETTING A WHOLE SET OF DENTAL IMPLANTS
Whether you’re getting all on 4 dental implants or all on 6 dental implants, the process involved in both applications is nearly identical, according to most dentists in Los Angeles who specialize in whole mouth dental implants. For the most part, these restorations are carried out in 3 steps, which include the following:
STEP 1
As with any dental procedure, the first step in getting full mouth dental implants in Los Angeles entails getting x-rays The dentist will also take dental impressions to help them determine how and where the dental implants should be placed. Next, they will measure the quality and density of the bone tissue in your jaw to ensure that it can support whole mouth dental implants.
STEP 2
During this phase of getting a full set of dental implants, the dentist sill start by making an incision in your gums, which will provide access to the jaw bone. The dentist will then drill a hole into the jaw bone before implanting the titanium posts. It is important to note that these posts will have to fuse to the jaw bone before moving on to stage step 3. And this process, also known as osseointegration, can sometimes take several months.
STEP 3
Once all of the titanium posts that are needed to support a whole set of dental implants have fused to the jaw bone, you will be well on your way to step 3, which entails reopening the gums and attaching abutments to the titanium posts. From there, the dentist will take another dental impression that will be sent to a dental lab where the artificial teeth will be made. He or she will then schedule a follow-up appointment to attach the artificial teeth to the abutments.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF FULL MOUTH DENTAL IMPLANTS?
Whether one chooses to refer to them as full dental implants, full jaw implants, complete dental implants, a whole set of teeth implants, or merely dental implants, there are many benefits associated with choosing this type of restoration when it comes to replacing missing teeth, some of which include
- Improved oral health
- Improved self-esteem
- Improved speech
- Being able to bit and chew food properly
- A better smile
HOW TO CARE FOR COMPLETE MOUTH DENTAL IMPLANTS
Given the cost, not to mention the time involved in having them placed, you will want to take good care of your full mouth dental implants. And doing so is no different than caring for your natural teeth, meaning you want to continue brushing twice per day and flossing. It is worth noting, however, that there are toothbrushes designed specifically for those with these types of dental restorations. For example, an interdental toothbrush, which is available from Oral B and other manufacturers, can easily slide in-between teeth to remove food particles from around the implants and gums. Additional ways to care for full mouth dental implants include
Avoiding poor oral habits – One of the worst things that someone with full mouth dental implants can do is to start smoking. For some context, a recent study reported that the rate of dental implant failure, which includes single-tooth and complete dental implants, is 15.8 percent among smokers compared to1.4 percent for non-smokers. While we are on the topic, it is also a good idea to avoid biting or chewing hard candies, corn on the cob, and other hard foods as doing may damage the artificial teeth that make up the implant.
Scheduling regular checkups – The best way to get the most out of a full set of dental implants is by scheduling regular checkups with your dentist. During these visits, he or she can provide you with a thorough and professional cleaning and also ensure that the implants are functioning properly.
HOW MUCH DO PERMANENT TEETH IMPLANT COST?
Multiple factors can influence costs when it comes to full mouth dental implants. For example, in cases where an individual doesn’t have enough bone tissue to support implants, they may need to have bone grafting done, which can drive the cost of full mouth dental implants even higher. For those who are not familiar with bone grafting, it entails removing bone from other parts of the oral cavity and placing it in the jaw, which minimizes the chances of full mouth dental implants failing prematurely. Beyond that, if a patient has other dental problems, such as periodontal disease, for example, such issues would have to be resolved ahead of getting implants and would incur additional costs. Lastly, the type of full mouth dental implants a patient needs, all on 4 or all on 6, can play a role in their final cost as well. All of that aside, current data shows that the median cost of full mouth dental implants is roughly $34,000.
Where to get Full Set of Dental Implants.
All in all, there are numerous reasons to choose complete mouth dental implants over dental bridges, dentures, and other traditional dental restorations. And despite being more expensive, most will argue that they are well worth the price. If you’re considering full mouth dental implants, you should do your due diligence and choose a dentist that is not only knowledgeable but also experienced when it comes to implant dentistry.
Dental Implants Cost in Los Angeles could be high. However at Southland Dental Care we offer affordable implants that fits any budget. In addition we offer low monthly payments and financing for whole set of teeth implants. If you are considering complete dental implants, contact Southland Dental Care for a free consultation today.
Of course, if you live nearby Los Angeles, considering scheduling a consultation with Southland Dental Care, a leading cosmetic and general dental practice that offers a whole set of dental implants at a reasonable price. They also offer free CT scans, x-rays, and exams valued at $350 for new patients that are interested in full dental implants.
