Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry in Houston, TX.

Full Set Replacement using Teeth Implants If you wear dentures or if you are about to loose most or all of your teeth and you want to avoid wearing a plate, dental teeth implants offer an alternative to dentures, (false teeth).

Benefits of Fixed Implant Bridge:

When all teeth are missing or in such condition that they need to be replaced, a fixed bridge anchored to dental implants^[1] is the best permanent solution and removes the hassle of having to wear a full set of dentures or false teeth.

Many people with dental problems avoid smiling, which cause them to appear less social, and perhaps introverted. The pattern is the same for problems when eating.

Before dental implants, there was no fixed solution available for people who lost all their teeth. They accepted dental dysfunction caused by wearing dentures (false teeth) as a form of disability.

Dental dysfunction can affect nutrition and well-being, as the types of food that can be consumed are often limited - and it can also be an aesthetic problem, changing a person’s entire personality. Traditional false teeth are not always reliable, and there are foods and dishes you can only dream of tasting.

Today, it is possible to replace a full set of teeth with dental implants and a fixed bridge^[2] that results in a permanent, stable and high esthetic solution, in as little as 3 days. Immediate teeth have replaced older methods of implant treatment. Modern tooth implant design and state-of-the-art surgical techniques also allow most patients to have fixed teeth supported by only 4 dental implants. This is commonly known as ‘all on 4 dental implants’ and this procedure is the most popular full set tooth implant treatment in our clinic. All on 4 dental implants are a trusted alternative to the problems associated with full dentures, contact our clinic today to book a consultation to discuss how All on 4^[3] implants can benefit both your personal comfort and confidence in a short period of time.

Implant-supported replacement teeth give renewed confidence with unparalleled strength and stability that allows you to eat what you want. The aim of total rehabilitation is to help improve your quality of life, and self esteem. It will also preserve your jawbone and facial appearance.

Key Benefits of Tooth Implants that you won’t experience to the same degree with traditional false teeth or dentures •    Improved appearance •    Eat what you want •    Taste your food •    Improved comfort •    Improved speech •    Improved self-esteem •    Smile with confidence •    Long term results

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Course of treatment

A typical tooth implant procedure for a full set replacement normally involves four to six visits to the dentist. The course of treatment described here is one of several options available. Your dentist will advise you on the best dental solution for you, given your specific condition and individual needs.

PRE-OPERATIVE PROCEDURES
 

	Examination The first step is to make an appointment for an oral examination with your cosmetic dentist who will go over treatment alternatives and determine which solution works best for your very individual needs and expectations. Appointment Duration: 30-60 minutes [4]
	Diagnostics An OPG and CAT scans are usually required to determine implant positions in full arch rehabilitation. If you are suitable for keyhole guided surgery, a special stent will be made to wear during your scan.
	Work-up Photos and models are used to plan the optimal set-up of the replacement teeth for aesthetics, function and speech. Surgical stents are then fabricated to guide the dental implant placement according to the work-up.

 YOUR TREATMENT

	Implants DAY 1  The jaw bone is reshaped with ‘alveolectomy’ and the implants are placed in the same visit. The wounds are then closed with dissolvable sutures and impressions of the implants are taken for the next stage. This procedure is most commonly performed under local anaesthetic, but can also be performed under sedation Appointment Duration: 2-3 Hours
	Try-in DAY 2   The teeth are set in wax and tried in your mouth within 24-48 hours after surgery. Any necessary adjustments are made as required with your input. You get to see what your teeth look like before we finish. Appointment Duration: 30-60 minutes
	Smile DAY 3   Your replacement teeth are inserted. We aim to give you a reason to smile with confidence. The initial set of teeth is designed to restore function and achieve optimal aesthetics. It will function for 1-5 years, depending on the strength of your bite. You can then decide on your options for the final set. Appointment Duration: 30-60 minutes

Other Considerations

Your smile is essential. What makes it beautiful?

For good aesthetics in a smile there needs to be harmony between the teeth, gums and the lips. It’s not only about teeth. The pink aesthetics (gums & lips) is often what makes the difference between ordinary and extraordinary results.

Gum Aesthetics

Providing you with beautiful teeth may not be enough without healthy-looking gums. In most patients who have lost or are about to loose all of their teeth the gums lack good form that is essential for a beautiful smile. In such patients, prosthetic gum replacement is the only way to ensure predictable results and a beautiful smile. To achieve this, reduction and reshaping of the underlying bone, or ‘alveolectomy’, is preformed at the time of the dental implant placement.

The Problem                Widespread gum disease and a displeasing smile due to darkness and lack of uniformity of the gums.	The Solution Upper rehabilitation on implants with prosthetic gum replacement

Lip Aesthetics

Want your lips back?

LIP SUPPORT

The bony ridges of the jaws provide support to the lips.  Following extraction of teeth the bone resorbs over time and the lips loose their support. This is one of the most common attributes of an aged look. When dentures are made to replace the teeth, they are made with plastic extensions, or ‘flanges’. The primary function of the flanges is to help with the retention of the dentures, but they also add bulk to the lips. Whether there is too much bulk, as seen in the picture in the top left, or inadequate support, the flanges of a denture may often lead to unnatural aesthetics or fake looking teeth.

LIP FORM

The shape of the lip in many patients is dependent to some extent on the position and orientation of the teeth.

In total rehabilitation on implants, there are no flanges. The reduction and reshaping of the underlying bone, or ‘alveolectomy’, facilitates optimal positioning of the replacement teeth and enables prosthetic gum replacement that mimics the shape of natural bony ridges leading to more natural lip aesthetics.
 

The Problem                 Unnatural aesthetics with flattening of the lips caused by the flanges of the denture	The Solution Upper rehabilitation on implants with alveolectomy and prosthetic gum replacement
The Problem                 Unnatural aesthetics with flattening of the lips caused by splaying of the teeth due to gum disease	The Solution Upper rehabilitation on implants and restoring lip form by alveolectomy and prosthetic gum replacement

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Alternatives To A Fixed Bridge On Implants:

An alternative to a fixed bridge is a removable overdenture, which is anchored on implants. The old fashioned denture has many disadvantages and should be avoided if possible.

Removable, Implant Anchored Overdenture
A removable full denture that is connected to either a ball or bar attachment, which in turn is anchored on two or more implants in the front part of the jaw.

The implants help keep the denture in place and provide better function and comfort. Cost is usually the reason why this solution is chosen over a fixed bridge – although the end result can’t be compared.

Removable Full Denture A denture is loosely placed on top of the gum to cover the lost teeth. This alternative has no real advantages – except for its low price and easy installation. The disadvantages are many: discomfort in eating, poor esthetics, affected speech, and sore gums from denture movement. Moreover, a full denture placed in the upper jaw severely reduces the sense of taste. It is recommended that you consider another approach to replace your missing teeth; all on four dental implants are a popular solution to this problem.

To organize a consultation with a dentist from our highly regarded team to discuss what may be required for a All on Four implant or any other dental implants, please contact us on (03) 9802 2399 or to send us an e-mail click here.

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References

1. ^{^} Dental Implants (www.smilenet.com.au)
2. ^{^} Fixed Bridge (www.smilenet.com.au)
3. ^{^} All on four (www.smilenet.com.au)
4. ^{^} Cosmetic Dentist Melbourne (www.smilenet.com.au)
5. ^{^} Back to top (www.smilenet.com.au)