Full Mouth Restoration
Honolulu
Full Mouth Restoration provided by Dr. Haruki
and Dr. Oishi
in Honolulu & Waipi'o, HI at Pacific Maxillofacial Center
When you lose your teeth, several things begin to happen. One of the most obvious effects of missing teeth is the impact it has on your smile. Tooth loss makes simple things, such as biting, chewing and speaking, significantly more challenging. Additionally, tooth loss can also lead to bone loss in your jaw, which then causes it to weaken and change shape.
Dental Implants are the gold standard for replacing missing teeth. If you are missing a full arch of teeth, implants can be used to support removable dentures or nonremovable replacement teeth. Implant supported devices provide better chewing and speaking function than traditional dentures, and help reduce the bone loss in your jaws.
The Effects of Tooth Loss on Your Jawbone
Your teeth are responsible for many functions. One of these functions is maintaining the health of your jawbone. When you chew, the teeth stimulate the jawbone. This tells the body that nutrients are needed. Your body responds by sending the necessary nutrients to your jaw and surrounding areas. When you lose teeth the stimulation lessens. Your body sends fewer nutrients and your jawbone gradually begins to lose bone mass. It grows weak and eventually begins to change shape.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are a modern treatment for missing teeth and provide an alternative to more traditional treatments. This treatment uses small titanium posts, which are surgically implanted into your jawbone. During your recovery, your natural jawbone fuses to the posts, integrating them into your jaw. This essentially turns the posts into strong, stable replacement roots, which are then used to support your replacement teeth.
Implant Retained Dentures
Removable dentures can be anchored to dental implants to provide additional retention and biting force. The implants will also aid in slowing bone loss in the jaws. As few as 2 dental implants can be used in the lower jaw and as few as 4 dental implants can be used in the upper jaw to support such devices. The number of dental implants required is dependent on bone quality and availability, and will be determined by your doctor.
Teeth in a Day
"Teeth in a day" refers to a nonremovable multiple teeth replacement option supported by dental implants. This restoration uses 4 to 6 dental implants to support a device that replaces all the teeth in an arch. Due to the enhanced stability of placing multiple implants at once, a prosthetic device to replace your teeth can oftentimes be placed at the time of your multiple dental extractions!
The dental implants are inserted in such a way to take advantage of the bone mass you do have. The front implants are usually inserted vertically. Oftentimes two of the back implants are inserted at an angle to maximize contact between the dental implant and bone. By angling the implants, we are able to prevent injury to vital anatomic structures like the sinuses in the upper jaw, or nerves in the lower jaw.
Teeth in a day provides all the same benefits as regular dental implants. They are permanent, comfortable, and easy to care for. Teeth in a day offers excellent biting force and functionality. The teeth don't have to be removed at night like traditional dentures. Additionally, the implants stimulate the jaw bone to reduce bone loss.
Full mouth restorations are some of the most effective and comprehensive dental procedures. Where accidents occur or diseases progress to a point where all the teeth are affected, then one might need full mouth restoration. At Pacific Maxillofacial Center, we offer the very best in full mouth restoration services.
What is Full Mouth Restoration?
As the name suggests, full mouth reconstruction in the dental world refers to the process of replacing or rebuilding all the teeth in a patient’s mouth. It is a combination of maxillofacial surgery procedures with aesthetic and cosmetic dentistry to then restore the beauty, functionality, and natural looks of the teeth and the mouth.
What Are the Steps in Full Mouth Restoration?
Full mouth restoration is a multi-step process. Like any other dental procedure, the full mouth restoration process begins with a consultation and dental exam. Here, the patient and the dentist tend to discuss the primary goals for the treatment and what the ideal results would look like for the patient. The dentist might also ask questions about dental health and history, lifestyle, and overall medical history.
Furthermore, this stage will also have the dentist perform a comprehensive oral exam, which includes an exam of the head and neck areas. The exam determines the true condition of the teeth, the state of the gums, the alignment of one’s bite, and the eventual appearance of the teeth.
The next stage is the design of the smile and teeth. This is where, based on the results of the dental exam, the dentist constructs a digital design of the current position of the teeth and the eventual end-point where they should be after the reconstruction procedure. 3D modeling and digital scanning technologies have made it possible for patients to be able to test a mockup of the prospective restoration and get a feel for what their mouth might feel and look like. Here, the patient might offer valuable feedback which could further be used to improve the state of the mockup.
The next stage in the full mouth restoration process is the determination of the treatment plan. Based on the dental exam and the models built, the dentist will determine the appropriate combination of treatments that will result in an optimal outcome for the patient.
Some of the possible treatments and approaches include the removal of damaged or infected teeth, root canal therapy, corrective jaw surgery, bone grafting, periodontal treatment, and orthodontic treatment. Full mouth reconstruction happens in different stages, and will typically require multiple dental appointments, depending on the nature of issues that the individual faces.
How Long Does Full Mouth Restoration Last?
A full mouth restoration can take anything between a few weeks to six months. In most cases, patients will be required to come back for dental exams at least every six months. However, the results will end up lasting a lifetime.
Am I a Candidate for Full Mouth Restoration?
If you have multiple missing teeth or numerous teeth with large fillings that are cracked or broken, then you might be a candidate for full dental restoration. Badly worn-out teeth due to habits or conditions like bruxism or multiple lost teeth from trauma or accidents are other reasons you could have full mouth restoration.
Call Pacific Maxillofacial Center at 808-585-8455 today and have your questions answered or schedule an appointment with our dentist.
|
