Full Mouth Restoration
Honolulu, HI
When you lose your teeth, several things begin to happen. One of the most obvious effects of missing teeth is the impact it has on your smile. Tooth loss makes simple things, such as biting, chewing and speaking, significantly more challenging. Additionally, tooth loss can also lead to bone loss in your jaw, which then causes it to weaken and change shape.
Dental Implants are the gold standard for replacing missing teeth. If you are missing a full arch of teeth, implants can be used to support removable dentures or nonremovable replacement teeth. Implant supported devices provide better chewing and speaking function than traditional dentures, and help reduce the bone loss in your jaws.
The Effects of Tooth Loss on Your Jawbone
Your teeth are responsible for many functions. One of these functions is maintaining the health of your jawbone. When you chew, the teeth stimulate the jawbone. This tells the body that nutrients are needed. Your body responds by sending the necessary nutrients to your jaw and surrounding areas. When you lose teeth the stimulation lessens. Your body sends fewer nutrients and your jawbone gradually begins to lose bone mass. It grows weak and eventually begins to change shape.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are a modern treatment for missing teeth and provide an alternative to more traditional treatments. This treatment uses small titanium posts, which are surgically implanted into your jawbone. During your recovery, your natural jawbone fuses to the posts, integrating them into your jaw. This essentially turns the posts into strong, stable replacement roots, which are then used to support your replacement teeth.
Implant Retained Dentures
Removable dentures can be anchored to dental implants to provide additional retention and biting force. The implants will also aid in slowing bone loss in the jaws. As few as 2 dental implants can be used in the lower jaw and as few as 4 dental implants can be used in the upper jaw to support such devices. The number of dental implants required is dependent on bone quality and availability, and will be determined by your doctor.
Teeth in a Day/All-on-4®/DIEM®/Pro Arch
"Teeth in a day" refers to a nonremovable multiple teeth replacement option supported by dental implants. This restoration uses 4 to 6 dental implants to support a device that replaces all the teeth in an arch. Due to the enhanced stability of placing multiple implants at once, a prosthetic device to replace your teeth can oftentimes be placed at the time of your multiple dental extractions!
The dental implants are inserted in such a way to take advantage of the bone mass you do have. The front implants are usually inserted vertically. Oftentimes two of the back implants are inserted at an angle to maximize contact between the dental implant and bone. By angling the implants, we are able to prevent injury to vital anatomic structures like the sinuses in the upper jaw, or nerves in the lower jaw.
Teeth in a day provides all the same benefits as regular dental implants. They are permanent, comfortable, and easy to care for. Teeth in a day offers excellent biting force and functionality. The teeth don't have to be removed at night like traditional dentures. Additionally, the implants stimulate the jaw bone to reduce bone loss.
If you are missing a full arch of teeth, there are better options to replacing your teeth than traditional dentures. Call Pacific Maxillofacial Center LLC to schedule your consultation today at 808-585-8455. |
