Losing multiple teeth is never easy, and neither is having to replace them. Whilst your teeth can be lost very quickly at any time, restoring them is a time-consuming process that can often take months or even years to complete. If you’re evaluating your options, then the good news is that you don’t have to replace each tooth individually. In fact, with full arch dental implants, you can even replace an entire arch of missing teeth all in one go.
Whether you have lost a few teeth or an entire row, full arch dental implants are the treatment for you. Read on to find out what’s involved, including the treatment timeline, and what makes them the solution that you have been looking for.
How long do full arch dental implants take?
Since full arch implants deliver an extensive, full mouth restoration, it may surprise you to learn that the process involved is actually relatively quick and minimally invasive.
Whilst single implants must be surgically implanted, left to fuse with the jawbone, and then fitted with a custom crown (a lengthy process which is repeated for each tooth), these full arch options require only four to six implant posts for an entire set of teeth.
These titanium implants function as artificial roots for the whole bridge, meaning that no time is wasted waiting for each implant to heal before starting the next one. Now instead of needing an implant for every missing tooth, you can restore your smile without multiple surgeries, countless appointments, or invasive bone grafting.
On top of this, full arch implants also tick every box you could have for a restorative dentistry treatment, including:
- Fixed and non-removable: They won’t slip, slide, or become dislodged.
- Natural-looking: The crowns are custom-made and colour matched to your natural teeth.
- Restored functionality: You can eat, speak, bite, chew, and smile without any restrictions.
- Support facial structure: Since they preserve the jawbone and prevent bone loss, they also maintain the structure of your face.
- Long-lasting: When cared for properly, they will last a lifetime, and any damaged crowns can easily be replaced using the same implants.
So, let’s take a look at the treatment timeline you can expect from full arch dental implants.
Initial consultation
The process involved with full arch dental implants, from the very first consultation right through to the final placement of the crowns, can take anywhere from a few months to over a year.
This timeframe will depend heavily on the extent of your tooth loss, the health and density of your jawbone, and the time it takes your mouth to heal. These are all factors that will be discussed during your initial consultation with an implant specialist, who will conduct a full examination to assess your oral health and suitability for the procedure.
Treatment plan
Once you’ve made up your mind about full arch implants your implant specialist will take a few 3D scans of your mouth and begin developing your personalised treatment plan.
This will detail every stage of the process, as well as a breakdown of the costs, so that you can move forward with confidence and clarity. This also gives you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have and gather all the information you need before making your final decision.
Implant surgery
Since as few as four implants are needed to support a whole set of replacement teeth, the surgical procedure to place them can be done in just one day.
The whole process usually takes around 2 hours per jaw, and if any tooth extractions are required then they will also be carried out during this appointment. Once the procedure is complete, you’ll be fitted with temporary crowns in order to eat and speak as normal during your recovery.
Healing time
After surgery, the implants and abutments must be given time to fully fuse with the jawbone before the crowns can be fitted. This process, called osseointegration, usually takes between 3 to 6 months; however, since this procedure involves considerably fewer implants than would otherwise be required, you will be able to avoid the long recovery time needed for individual implants.
You will also receive post-surgery care instructions from your implant specialist, and it’s important that you follow these carefully to avoid any complications. During this recovery stage you should also take care to keep the implant site clean and to keep up with your usual oral hygiene routine.
Final placement
Once your jawbone has fully healed and the implants have fully integrated, it will be time to attend a final appointment to fix the crowns and complete the restoration of your smile.
These custom crowns will be made to match the exact shape, size, and shade of your natural teeth, using the scans taken during the initial consultation. No one will be able to tell the difference between your crowns and your teeth, and since the full row is being fitted in one go, you will be able to leave the practice that very same day with a full set of implants.
Following this final appointment you will be able to use them just as you would your natural teeth, provided that you follow the aftercare instructions. You will also need to attend regular checkups in the following months to make sure that they are functioning properly and to allow the implant practitioner to monitor their long-term success.
Full arch dental implants in Basingstoke
Ready to transform your smile?
If you have been considering full arch implants for a while and are looking for a specialist implant practice that you can trust, then Dentalia is the partner for you. Book your free consultation with them today, and find out more about their 0% finance facility on their website.
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