When people think of dental implants, they usually think of no more than one or two implants among a full mouth of natural teeth. As common as they might be, there are times when patients might undergo surgery for more than just one or several dental implants. There are those who might opt for full-mouth dental implants.
If you have lived with extensive dental issues for some time, or have lost multiple teeth due to an accident, the option of the full-mouth dental implant might appeal to you. Allow Dr. Suzanne Caudry and her staff to educate you on the wonders of full-mouth dental implants and what to expect from the consultations, preparations, procedures, and more.
Feel free to read this blog post at your leisure, and be sure to direct any questions to Dr. Caudry's dedicated staff when the time comes. You can reach us by email or by calling (416) 928-3444 at your convenience.
Full-Mouth Dental Implants: The Full Story
If you are considering full-mouth dental implants, you are not alone. According to the American Dental Association, over 3 million people in the United States alone have dental implants, and that number is only growing. In Canada, you would be hard-pressed not to find someone in your cohort without a dental implant of some kind.
Full-mouth dental implants are a permanent solution to tooth loss or damage. They are also a great option for people who have trouble wearing dentures.The implant itself is a metal post that is surgically placed into your jawbone. Once the implant heals, an artificial tooth (or teeth) is then attached to the post. The whole process usually takes about 6 months to complete.
Benefits of full-mouth dental implants include:
- Improved appearance
- Improved self-esteem
- Improved speech
- Improved comfort
No More Irritation
Unlike dentures that can slip and rub against your gums, causing irritation and discomfort, dental implants are securely anchored with strong screws. The screws undergo a process called "osseointegration", ensuring the jawbone fuses to the new screws the way it might to a natural bone.
Boost Oral Health with Implants
One of the biggest benefits is that they can help to improve your overall oral health. When you have missing teeth, it can be difficult to keep your mouth clean, which can lead to gum disease and other problems. Dental implants help to keep your mouth clean and healthy by providing a stable base for your teeth.
Implant Planning and the Procedures
Getting full-mouth dental implants is a multi-step process that can take several months to complete. The first step is to consult with your dentist to see if you are a candidate for dental implants. If you are a good candidate, the next step is to have a CT scan or x-ray taken of your mouth in order to create a 3D model of your teeth and jaw. This will be used to plan the placement of your implants.
After the planning stage, the next step is to have the implants placed in your jawbone. This is done through surgery and usually takes place under general anesthesia. Once the implants are in place, they will need to heal and fuse with the bone before the next stage can begin. This can take several months.
Once the implants have fused with the bone, they will be ready to support artificial teeth. Your dentist will then take impressions of your teeth in order to create custom prosthetic teeth that will look natural and blend in with your existing teeth. The final step is to attach the prosthetic teeth to the implants, and you will have a full set of new teeth that look and function just like natural teeth.
Caring for Your New Teeth
While implants are typically safe and effective, some risks and complications can occur in the months after implant surgery, such as implant failure.
Implant failure occurs when the implant does not fuse with the jawbone or when it is rejected by the body. This can happen if the implant is placed in an area with poor bone density or if there is an infection at the implant site. Our advice? Continue to visit your dentist regularly, and follow all of the oral care guidelines they provide. Proper care ensures healthy teeth and gums for years to come.
Dental Implants the Caudry Way
Dr. Caudry's passion for medicalized care did not begin with the founding of her oral surgery clinic. It began years ago when she acquired her PhD in Microbiology at Australia's La Trobe University, after which she received a Doctorate in Dental Surgery at McGill University in Montreal and later specialized in Periodontics at the University of Toronto. To say that Dr. Caudry is qualified to care for patients would be an understatement.
Her experience includes the surgical placement of dental implants, such as immediate implants and computer-guided surgery, hard tissue grafting (including guided bone regeneration and maxillary sinus augmentation), extractions, and soft tissue grafting. She also passes her knowledge onto others by running Study Clubs for dentists in the Greater Toronto Area, instructing at the University of Toronto's periodontal department, lecturing nationally and internationally, and conducting research into the field. In this way, she brings clinical excellence to her practice through her combination of experience and passion for the latest science and technology.
Needless to say, when it comes to dental implants and periodontal care, there is no better place to turn than the facilities of Dr. Caudry.
Learn More About Dental Implants Today
Do you find yourself with more questions about dental implant placement procedures or the technologies that facilities of Dr. Caudry's caliber have come to embrace? Whatever the questions might be, we want you to bring them to our team. The more people know about the wonders of dental implantology, the more comfortable they'll feel reaching out to us when they find themselves in need of quality periodontal care.
Learn more about dental implants today by calling (416) 928-3444. We cannot wait to hear from you.