Full Arch Replacement
If all of your teeth are missing or if they are damaged to the point of needing extraction, there are great options for replacing all your teeth that help you to avoid traditional dentures. Historically the only treatment for patients without teeth was traditional removable dentures. Although better than nothing, these can be cumbersome, cause difficulty with eating, and over time cause significant bone loss from the jaws. In fact, patients who have been wearing dentures for many years often lose so much of their jawbone that they no longer have the support needed to hold their dentures in place!
There are several options for using dental implants to gain a better functioning set of teeth. Please read about the options below and give us a call at Tahoe Oral Surgery and Implant Center to set up an appointment to discuss with Dr. Martin and Dr. Appelblatt what which type of restoration would be best for you.
Implant Supported Over-Dentures
Implant supported over-dentures are dentures that use implants to help maintain them and provide them with more retention and strength. They are extremely cost effective as your current denture can often be modified to function with your new implants. For an implant-supported overdenture, the denture still must be removed at night, but since it has implants to clip onto it fits and feels more secure than traditional dentures.
All-On-Four (Permanent Dentures)
If you desire something that is as much like natural teeth as possible an All-On-Four technique may be for you. Titanium implants – usually four (hence the name) are placed into the jaw. Once these integrate, a full new set of teeth is then securely attached to these implants. The new teeth then look and function just like natural teeth. They stay in your mouth permanently and are only removed by a dentist for maintenance. With an All-On-Four permanent denture foods like apples, steak, and corn on the cob are back on the menu!