Missing All Upper or Lower Teeth
Losing all of your upper or lower teeth is a significant event that has several serious effects on your life. Tooth loss affects your ability to eat properly, which can then affect your digestion and nutrition. It impacts your ability to speak properly, resulting in communication issues. It affects the quality of your smile and your confidence. Losing all the teeth in your upper or lower arch also impacts your facial structure, causing sagging skin and a sunken appearance. Replacing your missing teeth is crucial for restoring the functions of your mouth and your appearance. Florida Prosthodontics can help with options for replacing all upper or lower teeth.
Traditional Complete Dentures
For years, the only option available for replacing an entire arch of missing teeth was a complete denture. Complete dentures have been in use for a few hundred years now, although the newest complete dentures are vastly different from earlier types. The premise is still similar. A complete denture is an acrylic base that holds acrylic resin teeth. The base is made to sit on your gums. While dentures replace the functions of your missing teeth, they cannot stop the bone loss in your jaw, which results in the need for the restoration to be periodically replaced.
Modern Treatment With Dental Implants
Dental implants are a modern alternative to replacing missing teeth. Implants consist of small titanium posts that are surgically placed into your jawbone. The posts, which gradually integrate into your bone as you heal, are then used to provide support for your replacement teeth.
Implant Options for Full Arch Replacement
There are several different full arch replacement options for dental implants, enabling us to better customize your treatment to your needs:
| • | With screw retained dentures, 6 to 8 posts are implanted into your jawbone. Your arch of replacement teeth is screwed into place on the posts and are not removed unless professional maintenance is needed. |
| • | Bar attachment dentures. This treatment uses 4 to 6 posts. A titanium bar is attached to the posts after they are implanted. Your replacement teeth snap into place on this bar. |
| • | All-on-4® Treatment Concept. If your jawbone does not have enough mass remaining to support the 6 to 8 posts needed to screw-retained dentures, you may be a candidate for the All-on-4® Treatment Concept. This treatment uses only four posts that are inserted at specific angles to maximize contact between the posts and your bone. |
| • | Individual implants. In some instances, your teeth can be replaced with individual implants. This particular treatment is more expensive, and you may be limited based on the condition of your jaw. |
Combining Treatments
If you are missing all of the teeth in both arches, it is possible to have both arches replaced with dentures or with implants. Many patients prefer implants. However, the cost of a full mouth replacement can be discouraging. It is possible to combine treatments and replace one arch with dentures and one arch with implants. Typically, if this route is chosen, the bottom arch is replaced with implants, as dentures are more likely to slip out of place on the bottom jaw.
If you are missing all of your upper or lower teeth, it is important to have them replaced as soon as possible. Cal Florida Prosthodontics today at (321) 452-3388 to schedule your consultation and learn which option is best for you.
Merritt Island