Full Mouth Reconstruction: Implant Options From An Oral Surgeon

An oral surgeon might decide to use dental implants as part of a full mouth reconstruction. These restorations can be combined with others like crowns, dentures and bridges to replace missing teeth. A full mouth construction also aims to restore damaged teeth that are still intact. This can be done using treatments like composite bonding and installing crowns.

Implant options during a full mouth reconstruction

There are four main types of dental implants that a dentist might decide to go with during a full mouth reconstruction. 

• Two-stage dental implants: These types of implants require two surgical procedures. During the first, the implant is surgically placed into the patient's jaw. During the second procedure, which is performed after the implant has fused with bone tissue around it, an abutment is attached to the implant and a crown.
• Endosseous/endosteal implants: These types of implants also require two surgical procedures, but, instead of a crown being attached to the implant, restorations like dentures or bridges are used.
• Single-stage implants: As the name suggests, these types of implants only require one surgical procedure. The implant is placed in a way that leaves it exposed so the oral surgeon can attach an abutment to it once osseointegration is complete. Placing it this way prevents the need for additional surgery.
• Subperiosteal implants: These are also single-stage implants that require only one surgery. The metal post is left exposed after its installation so an abutment can be attached to the implant at a later date.

Benefits of implants for a full mouth reconstruction

One unique property of implants is their ability to keep bone tissues in the jaw stimulated. It prevents the bone tissue from breaking down as is usually the case when a person loses a tooth. Implants are the only replacement for missing teeth that stimulate the jaw this way. Other benefits of dental implants for a full mouth restoration include the following:

• Specialized care is typically not needed, unlike other full mouth reconstruction procedures
• With good oral hygiene, dental implants can last a lifetime
• Implants prevent the remaining teeth from shifting in an attempt to close gaps created by missing teeth
• When a dental crown is used as the artificial tooth, the replacement looks completely natural
• They are versatile restorations that can be combined with other restorations in the full mouth reconstruction process

Qualifying for implants

Patients need to be healthy to be eligible for implants during a full mouth reconstruction since the procedure often requires oral surgery. Health conditions like diabetes and heart disease make recovery after surgery more challenging. Patients who are battling such issues might be better off exploring other options.

The installation of implants also requires the patient to have enough bone tissues to hold the restoration in place. Patients who have weakened bone tissue can get bone grafts to give them the foundation they need for implants. They will need to be fully recovered from their bone graft before being cleared for implants.

Get started with a full mouth reconstruction

Interested in learning more about dental implants during the full mouth reconstruction process? Reach out today to get started or to find out more about the process. 

Request an appointment here: https://www.emersondental.com or call Emerson Dental Associates at (201) 620-9998 for an appointment in our Emerson office.

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