Treatment – All Teeth
Replacement of All Teeth (Upper and/or Lower Jaw)
Life with a denture means more than just missing our teeth. Problems associated with a denture extend far beyond tooth loss and can affect comfort, our ability to chew and even self-image and confidence.
If all teeth have been lost or are about to be lost, dental implant therapy can replace the missing dentition to rebuild an esthetic, secure, long-lasting foundation while preserving the underlying bone. The exact number of dental implants required to provide adequate support and stability depends on many factors including the quantity/quality of the existing bone, the bite, anatomic factors and patient desires. There are two basic approaches to dental implant therapy for replacement of teeth in the entire jaw:
Patient Removable Dentures
Patient removable dentures involve using dental implants to either retain or support a denture. The denture is still removable, but can either retain a denture (keep it from moving around or slipping out of the mouth), support a denture (keep the denture from placing pressure on the underlying ridge), or both. Resorption of either an upper or lower arch is caused by pressure from a denture. As the jaw deteriorates, the denture no longer fits properly and causes the denture wearer discomfort. This results in frequent refitting of dentures often with less satisfactory results with each reline. The placement of implants to support the denture will stop the deterioration of the jaw and improve the fit and comfort of the denture. This is a more economical way to increase the support/stability of a denture. An implant retained denture requires two to three implants to keep a denture from displacing. An implant supported denture requires four or more implants to support a bar which not only retains the denture, but also keeps the pressure off the ridge reducing the resorption of the ridge (deterioration of the jaw bone) over time. |
Implant Retained Denture
Three Implants |
Implant Retained Denture |
The implant retained denture does not prevent pressure from being placed on the back of the ridge. |
Though the denture is retained by three implants and the attachments, this type of implant provision will not keep pressure off the ridge in the back of the mouth.
Implant Supported Bar Retained Overlay Denture
Dentures in Place |
Four Implants and Support Bar |
A bar-retained overlay denture supported on four implants will keep the pressure off the entire ridge. |
A bar-retained overlay denture supported on four implants will keep the pressure off the entire ridge.
Fixed Implant Bridges
Fixed implant bridges require more dental implants than a patient removable denture, but provide superior chewing function, stability and esthetics. Breakthrough advances in research supporting immediate function of implants with fixed restorations have revolutionized these treatment concepts. There are three variations of fixed, implant supported bridges available, and the choice of which restoration is best suited for you depends on many factors including, but not limited to, bone quality/quantity, anatomic factors, reasons for tooth loss and patient desires. These restorations are: |
The Metal-Ceramic Restoration
Pre-Op Photo |
Pre-Op X-rays |
Post-Op Immediate Fixed Temporary for Full Arch Case |
Post-Op Final Restoration |
Post-Op X-rays of Final Restoration
the Profile Prosthesis
Maxillary Profile Prosthesis Restoration |
Mandibular Profile Prosthesis Restoration |
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Patient losing all of his upper teeth due to periodontal disease |
Fixed temporary delivered 2 days after the dental implants were placed |
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Patient losing his teeth due to decay and periodontal disease |
Fixed temporary delivered 2 days after dental implant placement |
the Marius Bridge
Marius Bridge Restoration - Patient Removable Fixed Bridge |
Patient with a Marius Bridge restoration |
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Dental implants in place and attached to a the mesobar. The mesobar secures the Marius Bridge Restoration |
Marius Bridge Restoration |
