When you have a missing or damaged tooth, it can have a significant impact on your life. It isn’t just a cosmetic issue—it can impact how you eat, how you speak, and your overall health. Fortunately, you can get a dental implant to replace the tooth. But what if you’re missing more than one? Can you replace all your teeth with implants?
With something called the “all-in-4” approach, a surgeon can place 4 posts in your jaw. Then, they’ll be able to apply a full arch of teeth, letting you regain the aesthetic and function of your natural teeth!
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are a long term solution to missing or damaged teeth. A post made of titanium is inserted into the jawbone in place of the natural tooth root. They use titanium because it’s a biocompatible material that the body won’t reject.
Once the implants have been in the jaw for 4 months, your dentist will place a crown on top of the post. The entire implant looks and functions just like your natural teeth, and it’s usually indistinguishable from the rest. It is strong, long-lasting, and effective, making dental implants an extremely popular choice for anyone with a missing or damaged tooth.
However, there are a few requirements that can determine if these are ideal for you:
- Whether or not you have enough bone in your jaw to support the post
- Your overall oral health
- Your age (implants generally aren’t recommended for children or teens since their bodies are still growing)
- Your medical history
If the dentist or dental surgeon believes dental implants are a good choice for you, you can begin the process. Don’t worry—they’ll answer any questions you may have.
How Long Do Implants Last?
When properly cared for, dental implants usually last for at least a decade. They’re so durable that some even last up to a lifetime. The crown may eventually need replacing due to wear and tear, but this can be fixed with the help of your dentist.
A few factors come into play that determine how long it’ll last. If you want to make your implant last longer, it can help to:
- Brush your teeth 2 times a day for 2 minutes at a time. Don’t forget to floss and use mouthwash!
- Avoid tobacco, as it can inflame the area.
- Follow a balanced diet to keep your bones strong, as the jawbone supports the dental implant.
It can help to regularly visit your dentist so they can monitor how your implant is doing. If you treat your implant like your regular teeth and care for it properly, you can have a long-lasting solution for a missing or damaged tooth.
Is It Possible To Replace Every Tooth With Implants?
But what if you’ve lost more than 1 tooth? What if you’re missing several or even an entire arch? Can you replace every tooth?
There’s good news. Yes, you can replace all of your teeth with implants if necessary. However, this isn’t always recommended. If you’ve lost most or all of your teeth, your dentist may recommend dentures as a replacement—a full set of removable artificial teeth. However, if you don’t want to use dentures, there is an alternative—the all-in-4 replacement.
What Is an All-in-4 Replacement?
The all-in-4 replacement is an excellent way to fix a full arch of missing teeth. It’s efficient, cost-effective, and provides a long lasting solution to your problem.
Instead of placing a supporting post for each tooth, 4 posts are installed strategically across the arch of your jaw. Your dentist will perform a thorough evaluation to determine if your bone is strong enough to support this—otherwise, you may need a bone graft to support the replacement teeth.
Once these posts are placed where you have enough bone support, an entire arch of artificial teeth is secured. This permanent arch makes the all-in-4 approach ideal for situations where several teeth need to be replaced. However, if your dentist believes this may not be a good choice for you, they may recommend the “implant bar with overdentures” approach.
What Are Overdentures?
An implant bar with overdentures combines dentures and dental implants to get ideal results from both. Similar to the all-in-4 approach, several implant posts are installed in the jaw to support future replacement teeth.
However, instead of permanently fixing artificial teeth to the posts, a bar is attached to the implants. This bar is secured and cemented into place so it won’t move. Then, you’ll get a set of dentures. You won’t need any type of adhesive in the future since the dentures can clip onto this bar.
Overdentures feel natural and won’t move about as you chew or speak, which can be an advantage over traditional dentures. You can remove the dentures whenever you need by unclipping them from this bar so you can clean them as necessary.
Should I Get Dental Implants?
If you’re missing one or more teeth and want a long-term solution, dental implants might be a good choice. After all, they look, feel, and function just like your natural teeth—and they can be a long lasting answer for your dental worries. If you’re thinking about trying dental implants, contact our team at Ti Dental so we can determine if it’s the right choice for you. Request an appointment with us today!
