Full Arch Implant Restoration

A Miami Dentist Explains the Process

When patients have no or few remaining teeth in an arch, sometimes the best option is a full-arch implant restoration. Full-arch restorations are most often recommended to patients who would rather not undergo years of complicated procedures in order to save the remaining teeth in an arch. Full-arch restorations are also an alternative to complete dentures.

A full-arch restoration involves having four screw-like posts implanted into the jawbone. Abutments are then placed on these posts, which allows a custom-fabricated overdenture to be placed.

After you read through the benefits of full-arch restorations, a Miami dentist at CG Smile can help you to determine if you are an ideal candidate for this type of procedure. Call us today to schedule a consultation on full-arch restorations.

The Benefits of Full-Arch Restorations

There are many aspects of full-arch restorations that patients appreciate. Not all of these are cosmetic; many are important to maintaining oral health — even if you don’t have any of your natural teeth. Here are some of the top reasons dentists recommend full-arch restorations:

• Improved speech. Dentures limit tongue movement, which can affect the way you pronounce certain consonants and words. Speech also resonates through dental implants much like natural teeth, giving you more vibrational auditory feedback through the jawbone.
• Preserve jawbone material. It may sound odd, but your jawbone actually needs to be stimulated in order to keep it healthy and continue the remineralization cycle. With traditional dentures, jawbone stimulation — and thus remineralization — is all but absent. The implants of full-arch restorations stimulate the jawbone, keeping it active and healthy.
• Increased stability. Unlike conventional dentures, overdentures snap into surgically implanted posts. This means you not experience slipping or ”clacking” following a full-arch restoration procedure.
• No gum soreness. Unlike conventional dentures, implant-based restorations do not exert pressure on the gums. Therefore, comfort is increased and gum soreness is practically non-existent.
• Maintain a healthy opposite arch. By aligning dental restorations with the opposite arch, you can help keep those teeth from drifting out of place.
• Beautiful, confident smiles. We’ve seen it time and again. A patient looks at the mirror the first time following a full-arch restoration and they can’t help but smile. Having a smile you can confidently share with the world positively affects the lives of patients in more ways than we can list here.

The Process of Full Arch Restorations

Full-arch restoration procedures can happen quickly. On the day of your consultation, we will perform an X-ray or CT scan to determine if your jawbone has the tissue density necessary to support dental implants. We will then explain each part of the recommended treatment plan. Here is how a full-arch restoration typically unfolds:

• Anesthesia. To minimize pain and discomfort, the doctor overseeing your restoration will numb the area using a local anesthetic or a general anesthetic. Not all implant surgeries require general anesthesia. The doctor will recommend a form of anesthesia prior to the day of the surgery to help you prepare.
• Insertion of implants. Dental implant have screw-like posts that are implanted directly into the jawbone. The doctor will typically choose four of the most stable portions of the jawbone for the posts to be placed. These implants are designed to replicate the stability and strength of natural tooth roots.
• Placement of temporary overdenture. Before a permanent restoration can be placed, the surgical sites need time to heal. Most patients are ready to have permanent overdentures placed in around four-and-a-half months.
• Permanent overdentures. Once the surgical sites have healed and the gums are free of inflammation, your custom implant-supported dentures are now ready to be placed. During this appointment, the dentist will place the overdentures and have you examine how the dentures feel and look.

Schedule a Consultation for Full-Arch Restoration

To see if a full-arch implant restoration is a viable option to replace an arch of teeth, contact CG Smile. We would be happy to explain the process to you in depth and recommend various financing options.