Full Mouth reconstruction

Replacing All Teeth with Dental Implants

A full mouth restoration refers to replacing all teeth in the upper or lower jaw with dental implants. Although many patients have no problem wearing dentures, others find it difficult to wear and eat with dentures, notably lower dentures, in place. Others do not like the look, feel, or inconvenience of dentures. These patients often choose a full mouth restoration using dental implants. At P+E Dental, we offer several dental implant options to our patients. Depending on the type of replacement teeth you choose, you can get anywhere from four to six implants in the upper or lower jaw to secure your replacement teeth while minimizing the time and cost of implant surgery.

Ball Attachment Implant Denture

A ball attachment denture in the lower jaw combines the benefits of dental implants with a lower denture. The modified denture snaps onto two small metal balls on dental implants to give you greater stability when eating. You still have to watch that food debris does not get caught beneath the denture, but you do not have to worry about your dentures slipping or falling out. However, some minor movement is still experienced.

Bar Attachment Denture

Another hybrid between dental implants and dentures is the bar attachment denture. This option involves placing four to six implants in the lower jaw, then attaching a custom-made support bar that connects the implants. Your denture is fitted with small clips that snap onto the support bar. This “overdenture” is more secure than a ball attachment denture but can still be removed for cleaning and maintenance.

Screw Retained Denture

If you do not like the idea of a removable denture over implants, a screw retained denture may be an option for your full mouth restoration. We place five or more implants in your lower jaw, then attach the denture to the implants using either an attachment bar or screws. The denture is permanently attached, so there is no need to remove it for cleaning. A gap between the denture and the gums allows you to clean the gums without removing your dentures. Periodic maintenance visits to our office ensure your screw retained denture stays in place and is functioning correctly.

Individual Dental Implants

The final and most extensive option for replacing all teeth in the upper or lower jaw is individual dental implants. Individual implants feature separate crowns or bridges, each attached to an individual implant, to replace your missing teeth. These most closely resemble the look, comfort, and bite force of your natural teeth. For most people, eight or more implants are required.

Individual implants are more expensive than All-On-4 and other options because each replacement tooth must be individually crafted and placed on the abutments and titanium implants in the jaw. Successful individual implants rely on the skill of the dentist and the shape, health, and size of your jawbone.

What If I’m Missing All My Upper Teeth?

Dental implants are most often used to replace missing lower teeth, but there are also options for missing upper teeth. The treatment options are similar, but the upper jaw is not as dense or hard as the lower jaw, so multiple implants are usually needed for a full mouth restoration.

Implant-Retained Upper Denture

Depending on the number of implants used, many patients can be fitted with a fixed or snap-on denture that does not cover the roof of the mouth. Without the roof of the mouth covered, you can more fully taste your food and sense its temperature. The denture is removable, so you can easily clean the support hardware and denture.

Individual Upper Implants

As with your lower jaw, it is possible to get individual upper jaw implants that are permanent and not removable. However, you will need eight to ten implants in the upper jaw to support individual replacement teeth or crowns. In the upper jaw, the individual crowns may be joined together to replace jawbone height and support each other. If sinus grafting is needed, individual implants may be a solution to ensure strong implantation.

The dentists at P+E Dental are experienced in every type of dental restoration, including upper and lower dental implants. If you are interested in a full mouth restoration, please call  Houston Office Phone Number (713) 961-0088 to schedule an appointment for a consultation.