It's not a secret that dental implants are an excellent solution for replacing missing teeth. Implants mimic the appearance of natural teeth, and they are semi-permanent. For many individuals, this means that their implants will last a lifetime. Implant failure is not common, but it can happen due to mouth trauma, poor dental hygiene, or the use of tobacco. Some individuals think that smoking tobacco is the only threat. Individuals with implants should refrain from using all forms of tobacco products including smokeless products such as chewing tobacco and snuff. 

Individual implants are ideal for individuals who have one missing tooth. They can also be used when there are several teeth missing in different locations. The implants can be used to fill the gaps where teeth have been extracted. Some individuals have a row of missing teeth, and others are missing most of their teeth. These individuals are good candidates for full arch rehabilitation. This dental solution involves creating dental implants on an arch that is later inserted into gum and bone tissue to fuse. The following points highlight more details about this innovative solution for replacing missing teeth

Compatibility

The requirements for a full arch are nearly the same as the requirements for individual dental implants. Individuals need to be reasonably healthy. If conditions such as diabetes or gum disease exist, they must be under control before the surgery. Smoking cessation is also required because smoking may interfere with the implant fusing to the bone tissue and cause the surgery to fail. Individuals must also have enough bone mass to support the dental implant. Sometimes this is a challenge because some individuals who want the procedure have not had natural teeth for years. Even if they wore dentures during that time, it is likely that their bone tissue is diminished. Bone grafts can be performed to regenerate bone tissue.

Procedure

A full arch rehabilitation will consist of four implants, which is why it is sometimes referred to as All On Four dental implants. The procedure is completed in several stages. The implants get inserted into the jawbone similarly to individual implants. Dentists monitor and wait for them to fuse into the bone tissue. The next stage involves securing the small metal posts that have fused. The final stage involves securing the prosthetic teeth to the arch. This is done using a special dental compound that cements the teeth to the arch. 

A full arch is better than dentures because there is no risk of the appliance slipping or falling out. The prosthetic teeth can be brushed like natural teeth and do not have to be removed. They look realistic, and they're durable.

Contact a local dentist to learn more about full arch rehabilitation.