Address Tooth Loss with Full Arch Dental Implants
Most people do all they can to protect their teeth and avoid tooth loss. Unfortunately, the truth of the matter is that tooth loss still occurs. Many people lose at least a single tooth throughout their lifetime, and as people advance in age, significant tooth loss is even more likely.
When an individual loses an entire arch of teeth, they may assume that dentures are their only treatment option. However, Dr. Danny O’Keefe offers his Flowood, MS, patients dental implants to rebuild the smile. Full arch dental implants replace missing teeth with a durable restoration that feels like a natural part of the smile, and will never slip or fall out of place.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are small titanium screws that are implanted into a patient’s jawbone. As tissues heal, they fuse with the implant in a process called osseointegration. Osseointegration allows the dental implant to act as a replacement tooth root, so that it stimulates the jawbone every time a person bites or chews. Dental implants also function as small anchors, providing support to dental restorations. Implants can provide the foundation for dental crowns, dental bridges, or permanent dentures.
Full arch dental implants are used to address the loss of an entire arch of teeth. Full arch dental implants involve the placement of four titanium screws. The implants are strategically placed in the jaw (two at the front of the mouth and two at the back), so that they make contact with as much bone matter as possible. Because of this strategic placement, a full set of permanent dentures can be supported by the four implants.
Dental Implant Treatment
Dental implant treatment is a lengthy process, but the benefits of these dental restorations are well worth the treatment timeline. To start, dental implants are surgically implanted into the jaw. We place the implants through small incisions that are made in the gumline.
After the initial implant placement, patients must wait for the gum and jaw tissues to heal, and for osseointegration to occur. It can take several months for complete healing. We generally wait around six months before proceeding to the next stage of implant treatment.
After the implants have healed we perform another procedure to place metal abutments. Abutments are small posts that attach to the implants. For this procedure we, once again, make small incisions in the gumline. The abutments are attached to the implant; they extend above the gumline to later support dental restorations.
A few weeks after abutment placement the gums should be healed and ready for the final stage of dental implant treatment. A full set of dentures (or another restoration) is bonded to the abutments with a tooth-colored dental compound. As the compound hardens it secures the restoration in place so it will not move or slip.
Benefits of Full Arch Dental Implants
Full arch dental implants are highly beneficial to our Flowood patients. They restore the health, function, and beauty of the smile, so it is like tooth loss never occurred. In addition, full arch dental implants offer these benefits that set them apart from traditional dentures:
- Full-arch implants do not need to be removed
- Full-arch implants can brushed like the natural teeth
- Full-arch implants offer superior comfort and stability
- Full-arch implants prevent bone degeneration
Contact Our Dental Practice
Dr. Danny O’Keefe offers a wide range of treatments for missing teeth. If you’d like to learn more about full-arch dental implants or our other dental restorations, we invite you to send us a message online, or call our Flowood dental practice at (601) 936-2526.