Full-Arch Dental Implants
Tired of dentures that slip and slide? You can lose your dentures by turning to fixed or removable full-arch dental implants. Here are several different methods of replacing several missing teeth. A fixed option replaces some or all teeth and stays in the mouth such that the patient can not remove the implants. A removable option replaces all missing teeth and is removed by the patient. Several factors—oral health, quality of jaw bone, and budget—determine which full-arch dental implants option is best for you.
Fixed (Non-Removable) Implants
This is a full upper or lower arch restoration that is never removed by the patient.
- Requires the placement of six to eight implants.
- The more implants that are placed the better. This will provide more support for the restoration and less stress on each implant.
- Allows less stress on the bone to implant interface, which will result in greater long-term success and survival of the implants and restoration.
Advantages of Fixed Restorations
- DOES NOT have to be removed.
- Often able to have an immediate non-removable interim appliance.
Full-Arch Removable Restorations
Removable (Upper arch)
A full upper arch denture is attached to implants to be removed by the patient daily.
There are two different options:
- Four implants are placed with a ball over-denture. This preserves bone in the area of the implants. There is increased retention and stability of the denture with some movement.
- Six implants are placed with a bar over-denture. This preserves the bone in the area of the implants. There is NO movement with this denture.
Removable (Lower arch)
A full lower arch denture is attached to implants to be removed by the patient daily.
There are three different options:
- Two implants are placed with a ball over-denture. This preserves the bone in the areas of the implants. The implants are placed in the anterior region. There is increased retention with this denture. It does not STOP all denture movement. It is only designed to help stabilize and prevent the denture from falling out.
- Three implants with a ball over-denture. This preserves the bone in the area of the implants. There is increased stability and more retention with this denture than in the above option. There will still be some movement with this denture.
- Five implants are placed with a bar over-denture. There will be bone preservation in the entire arch and NO movement of this denture.
Advantages of Removable Restorations
