How to Know if You’re a Candidate for Full Mouth Dental Implants
Has one of your friends or family members been showing off a glorious new smile and talking about the benefits they got from full mouth dental implants? If so, it’s not surprising. As full mouth dental implants become the teeth replacement option of choice for more and more people, word of the benefits they provide is spreading fast.
At New Teeth Now, we always get a thrill from hearing about how happy our patients are with their full arch or full mouth dental implants, also sometimes called “All on 4” or “All on X.” If you’re considering full mouth restoration that incorporates dental implants, we’ll be glad to help you determine whether you’re a candidate for this comprehensive solution to failing teeth and painful gums. Simply contact us to schedule a consultation.
In the meantime, we’ll discuss in this article some of the criteria that oral surgeons consider when evaluating a person’s candidacy for full arch, full mouth or zygomatic implants. We specialize in providing these teeth replacement options to patients who meet the criteria, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find any other dental implant provider with more experience or a better patient satisfaction record than New Teeth Now.
What are full mouth dental implants?
Let’s begin by defining what we mean by the terms “full mouth dental implants” or “whole mouth dental implants.” These terms refer to the complete removal of a patient’s teeth, including the roots, and their replacement with exceptionally durable titanium implants that anchor a natural-looking bridge and custom-crafted teeth. For patients whose failing teeth are primarily in either the upper or lower jaw, full arch dental implants may be the more appropriate choice.
These rehabilitation methods are considered the gold standard among teeth replacement options for many reasons, including:
- Unlike dentures, implants replace the important function of your natural tooth roots, which stimulate your jawbone to revitalize itself through bone cell regeneration.
- Properly cared for dental implants can last a lifetime, whereas dentures and other removable prosthetics will likely have to be refitted as the years go by to accommodate changes in your mouth.
- Full mouth dental implants will look and feel more natural because they’re a permanent tooth loss solution that replicates both the appearance and functionality of real teeth better than any removable devices on the market.
Why do people consider getting a whole set of new teeth?
The reasons why people may need full mouth rehabilitation vary according to the individual, but the No. 1 reason is advanced periodontal disease, also known as gum disease. This medical condition is one of the most prevalent in the U.S., and it can create unseen oral health problems beyond the painful, swollen and bleeding gums that are easily recognized.
For example, people with severe periodontal disease face an increased risk of bacterial infection that enters the body through the gums and undermines the jawbone below. As the substrate that anchors the teeth becomes weak, the teeth are likely to loosen, wobble and eventually fall out.
What’s more, bacterial infections of the gums have been linked to a wide variety of serious health conditions, including cancer, heart disease and dementia. Therefore, an investment in full mouth teeth replacement that incorporates periodontal disease treatment offers valuable benefits for improving your overall health along with your smile and ability to chew just about any food with confidence.
The primary cause of advanced periodontal disease is failure to follow through on recommended at-home dental hygiene practices like teeth brushing and flossing as well as getting regular professional cleanings. However, some people are born with a genetic predisposition to severe gum disease and weak teeth.
Whatever the cause of their failing teeth, many people begin exploring the option of total teeth replacement because they are tired of spending time and money on deep dental cleanings and tooth extractions that deliver only temporary solutions. They are weary of dealing with sore, swollen gums and tooth pain on a daily basis. Or they are fed up with the discomfort and inconvenience of wearing removable dentures.
What’s more, the appearance of cracked or missing teeth often adversely affects a person’s self-esteem and causes them to hide their smiles and withdraw from social activities. This is detrimental to their mental health and potentially a hindrance to their career success as well.
Still another reason why people with extensive tooth failure consider full mouth dental implants is that they miss eating the foods they love. It’s difficult to bite into an apple, a piece of steak or even a slice of pizza and chew with confidence when your teeth are loose and may fall out at any time.
These are all common reasons why people from across the nation explore the option of full teeth replacement at New Teeth Now. Our full mouth dental implants allow many patients to hit the reset button on their oral health and enjoy life again without constantly worrying about their teeth and gums.
What makes you a good candidate for full mouth dental implants?
When you schedule a consultation at New Teeth Now, you’ll meet with a dental implant team that includes a board-certified and highly experienced oral surgeon as well as a knowledgeable implant coordinator. We understand that all patients are unique, so we’ll devote the personal attention needed to fully evaluate your case with an eye toward helping you get the full arch or full mouth restoration you’re after without having to first pursue costly and time-consuming treatments such as bone grafting.
Here are a few of the criteria that your oral surgeon will consider:
Age
Generally, anyone 18 years and older with extensive tooth loss is eligible for full mouth dental implants. Before age 18, the bony structure of the face and mouth is still growing, so it’s too early to introduce dental implants, which are designed to integrate with the jawbone or cheekbone. And, while some seniors with certain health conditions may not be good candidates for the dental implant procedure, their age alone will not disqualify them from eligibility.
Overall health
The full mouth or full arch dental implant procedure is performed with the patient receiving a powerful sedative – at New Teeth Now, we use general anesthesia. In our experience, this is the best way to ensure that patients get the safest and most painless implant placement.
However, patients with medical conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes that are not well managed may not be good candidates for full mouth implants without addressing those conditions. Patient safety is our top priority at New Teeth Now. So, during your consultation, be prepared to discuss your medical history and the medications you take. If medical clearances are required, our team will be happy to assist you.
Extent of tooth failure
A person with one or two rotten or missing teeth is not a candidate for full mouth dental implants, although single implants may be appropriate. Typical candidates for complete teeth replacement have several rotten, loose or missing teeth in one or both jaws.
Severity of bone loss
Many of the patients who seek out New Teeth Now have been told by their dentist or periodontist that severe bone loss will make it impossible for them to get dental implants because the substrate needed to anchor the implants is too diminished. In some cases, patients are told that implants are possible, but they will require bone grafting first, and that can take months to heal.
At New Teeth Now, we almost never turn away patients for this reason, and we don’t require preliminary bone grafting either. Our oral surgeons have long been at the forefront of placing specialized dental implants called zygomatic implants, which anchor into the cheekbone instead of the jawbone. This is a proven solution for patients whose upper jawbone cannot support traditional implants. While this is the most common case of bone loss we see at New Teeth Now, we also have alternatives to bone grafting available for patients whose lower jawbone has weakened too much to support traditional dental implants.
Trust the experts to determine your candidacy
New Teeth Now takes pride in helping patients transform their lives through the benefits of full mouth and full arch dental implants. Our team of highly trained professionals never tires of seeing the joyful expressions our patients display when they see their smile reflected in a mirror for the first time after receiving dental implants and beautiful, natural-looking teeth – all in one day.
At our full-service clinics in Florida and California, we’ve helped thousands of people get a new lease on life by replacing their teeth with dental implants that are easy to care for and designed to last a lifetime. In fact, we’ve specialized in full mouth and zygomatic implants for such a long time that we know what it takes to ensure optimal results, and we’ve also created a streamlined, convenient experience with all the services you’ll need under one roof. This includes:
- State-of-the-art digital imaging equipment and 3D printing
- Collaboration between highly qualified oral surgeons and restorative dentists
- An on-site dental lab able to quickly deliver customized dental prosthetics
- A team of certified anesthetists to safely administer and monitor our patients under general anesthesia during the dental implant procedure
Contact New Teeth Now to learn more about our services and schedule a consultation, during which we’ll discuss your goals and oral health condition. Why wait? We make it easy. Get in touch today.
