Full Mouth Dental Implants

Missing All Upper & Lower Teeth

• Ball Attachment Denture
• Screw Retained Prosthesis
• Implant Retained Upper Denture

Although many patients have no problem wearing an upper denture, some people find it difficult to wear and eat with lower dentures. Several implant-supported replacement options are available if you are missing all of your lower teeth.

Ball Attachment Denture

One 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. However, there will still be movement of your lower denture, and sore spots will occur 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.

1. Before

2. Implants Placed

3. Denture Attached

Screw Retained Prosthesis

A third option involves placing five or more implants in your jaw and attaching a permanent prosthesis. Your prosthesis is held in place by 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 prosthesis without removing it. This prosthesis will replace all your missing lower teeth and will not be removed except at maintenance visits. Although cleaning under your prosthesis without removing it is more time-consuming and requires more dexterity, many patients who want a permanent prosthesis prefer this option.

1. Before

2. Implants Placed

3. Denture Attached

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 new 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 a complete denture. This option allows you to fully taste your food and gives you a better sense of its temperature. Your denture will feel more natural. You will still have a removable denture, which makes cleaning the support bar and denture much easier.

Implant Retained Upper Denture

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 a complete denture. This option allows you to fully taste your food and gives you a better sense of its temperature. Your denture will feel more natural. You will still have a removable denture, which makes cleaning the support bar and denture much easier.