What Are My Tooth Replacement Options?

What If I’m Missing All Of The Teeth In My Lower Jaw?

Many patients find it difficult to wear lower dentures.

If you are missing all of the teeth in your lower jaw, you may consider a number of treatment options.

The first option is to have all your teeth individually replaced so that they will appear to be growing out of your gum tissue and will most closely resemble the appearance of your natural teeth. This option usually requires six to eight implants. Separate abutments or support posts for each one of these implants will be made and crowns for each missing tooth will be placed. The teeth are then frequently joined together for strength and support. Overall, this is the most ideal option, because it most resembles replacement of your natural teeth.

A second option involves placing five or more implants in your jaw and attaching a permanent denture. Your denture is held in place by miniature screws or clasps that secure it to the support posts or bar. It doesn’t touch the gum tissue, which allows you to clean under the denture without removing it. This denture will replace all your missing lower teeth and will not be removed except at maintenance visits. Although cleaning under your denture without removing it is more time consuming and requires more dexterity, many patients who want a permanent denture prefer this option.

A third option involves placing four to six implants, depending on your jaw size or shape, into your lower jaw. After healing is complete, the implants are connected with a custom-made support bar. Your denture will be made with special retention clips inside that attach onto the support bar, allowing the denture to snap firmly into place. This is called an "over-denture." The advantage of this option is that it is much more stable than the first option, allowing very little denture movement. Your denture still will be removable for easy cleaning and maintenance.

The implant support structure and clip-retained denture.

A clip-retained, implant supported denture holds securely.

A third option involves placing five or more implants in your jaw and attaching a permanent denture. Your denture is held in place by miniature screws or clasps that secure it to the support posts or bar. It doesn’t touch the gum tissue, which allows you to clean under the denture without removing it. This denture will replace all your missing lower teeth and will not be removed except at maintenance visits. Although cleaning under your denture without removing it is more time consuming and requires more dexterity, many patients who want a permanent denture prefer this option.

The final option is to have two implants placed in your lower jaw and a denture made that snaps onto these implants. This option allows your lower denture to be more stable while chewing than without implants. This is a viable option if your jaw’s support ridge is big enough. There will still be movement of your lower denture, however, and you can still get sore spots if any food particles, especially seeds, are caught under it. As with all removable replacement teeth, you still will need periodic appointments for denture adjustment.

What If I’m Missing All Of My Upper Teeth?

A similar range of treatment options is also available for your upper jaw. However, because the bone is not as hard as that in the lower jaw, people often need more implants to support their replacement teeth.

Depending upon the number of implants to be placed, it may be possible to eliminate the need for covering the roof of your mouth with the denture. This option will allow you to better taste your food and to better sense food temperature, and it will make your denture feel more natural. You will still have a removable denture, which makes cleaning the support bar and denture much easier. If you want a restoration that is similar to your natural teeth and therefore not removable, you probably will need eight to ten implants placed. This is followed after healing by the placement of the abutments and crowns.

What Can I Use For Teeth While The Implants Are Healing?

Many options are available, and they are tailored to your specific needs. If you need a replacement tooth while the implants are healing, temporary teeth can be made. We use state of the art software that is based on your CAT scan in order to use your implants on the same day that you get them. This can only be done in certain circumstances and under a controlled environment, but we're happy to review this option with you.

What Happens After The Implants Have Healed?

In most cases, after two to six months of healing, the implant is integrated with your body. The foundation for replacing your teeth is now complete. It is at this point that you return to your general dentist.

Your restorative treatment begins with specialized impressions that allow us to produce a replica of your mouth and implants. We will also make "bite" records so that we see the relationship of your upper and lower jaws

The number of appointments and the amount of time required for each appointment is different for each patient. No two cases are exactly the same and regardless of the number of teeth replaced, the work is completed with great precision and attention to detail.

In general, once your implants are placed, you can expect your treatment to be completed anywhere from two to eight months.

How Long Will The Implants Last?

Implants last a long time. As one of the first practices to be placing implants in the United States, utilizing the most current technology, we have patients that have been enjoying their implants for over twenty years. Since everyone’s situation is different, your consultation with the doctors will include a focus on this subject.

How Do I Clean My Implants?

As with natural teeth, it is important that you clean implant-supported restorations regularly with toothbrushes, floss and any other recommended aids. You also should visit your dentist several times each year for hygiene and maintenance.