Most people have fundamentally negative thoughts when they hear the words "denture" or "full dentures." It's not for nothing, as many people in our country still wear unstable prosthetics that are questionable in terms of aesthetics and function.
However, this is now a thing of the past, as full-jaw implants offer the possibility of securing dentures or bridges with sufficient stability, thereby functioning as a complete set of teeth, and in fact, requiring no compromises in terms of appearance.
What is meant by a full dental implant, and when is it advisable to choose this solution at all? In our professional article, we have compiled all the information you need to know on the subject.
If you have already decided that this dental restoration method is what you need: full dentures on implants.
Are we calling a full set of implants a "full denture implant"?
Implants are now considered a completely commonplace method in modern dentistry. This is no coincidence, as they can be ranked among the most durable alternatives for tooth replacement, applicable to the loss of a single tooth or even complete toothlessness.
The essence of an implant is that a prosthetic root, typically made of titanium, is fixed into the jawbone, and after complete healing, the crown is attached to it. Based on experience, the end result is as durable, if not more durable, than a real tooth.
In this context, a full-arch implant-supported prosthesis is what we call it when a complete denture or a bridge is fixed in the oral cavity using this method.
Contrary to popular belief, it is not necessary to replace every tooth with an implant at this time; usually, between 2 and 6 implants per jaw are sufficient to achieve a sufficiently durable final result.
Naturally, there are several types of full dental implants that we will introduce to our readers in more detail below.
Full arch implant planning at Naturadent
Az egész fogsor implantátummal történő pótlása akkor lehet indokolt, amikor valamennyi fogat elvesztette, vagy olyan súlyos fogászati problémái vannak, amelyek miatt az összes fog eltávolítása elkerülhetetlen. **Időpont:** * Amikor az összes eredeti fog már elveszett, és a páciens alternatívát keres a kivehető fogpótlások helyett. * Amikor a megmaradt fogak annyira károsodtak (pl. súlyos fogszuvasodás, ínybetegség, fogelhervadás), hogy a megmentésük nem lehetséges, vagy már nem funkcionálnak megfelelően. * Amikor a kivehető fogpótlások (műfogsorok) viselése kényelmetlen, instabil vagy nem elegendő a megfelelő rágófunkció és esztétika biztosításához. * Amikor a páciens egészségi állapota lehetővé teszi a fogászati implantációt, és nem szenved olyan betegségekben, amelyek akadályoznák a gyógyulást vagy az implantátumok beépülését. **Miért fontos?** 1. **Stabil rögzítés és jobb funkció:** Az implantátumok biztos alapként szolgálnak az új fogak számára, így a teljes fogsor stabilan rögzül a szájban. Ez lehetővé teszi a hatékonyabb rágást, javítja a beszédérthetőséget és növeli a magabiztosságot. 2. **Megőrzött csontállomány:** Amikor fogak hiányoznak, az állcsont csontja lassan sorvadni kezd. Az implantátumok csontintegrációval épülnek be az állcsontba, és stimulálják a csontot, így megakadályozzák vagy lassítják a csontvesztést, megőrizve az arc kontúrját. 3. **Esztétika és önbizalom:** A foghiány jelentősen befolyásolhatja az arc esztétikáját és az egyén önbizalmát. A teljes fogsor implantátummal történő pótlása visszaállítja a természetes mosolyt, arányos arcformát és segít a páciensnek újra teljes életet élni. 4. **Kényelem:** Ellentétben a kivehető fogsorokkal, az implantátumra rögzített fogsor nem mozdul el evés vagy beszéd közben, így nem okoz kellemetlen érzést vagy irritációt. 5. **Hosszú távú megoldás:** Megfelelő szájhigiénia és rendszeres fogorvosi ellenőrzések mellett a fogbeültetések nagyon hosszú távú, akár élethosszig tartó megoldást kínálhatnak. Összességében a teljes fogsor implantátummal történő pótlása egy komplex, de rendkívül hatékony és esztétikus megoldást jelent a foghiány kezelésére, visszaállítva a rágófunkciót, az esztétikumot és jelentősen javítva az életminőséget.
Full jaw implants can be used when the patient has a complete loss of teeth, or when their remaining teeth are in such poor condition that they must all be removed.
While traditional dentures can also be used in such cases, for those who want a more long-lasting solution or wish to preserve the functionality of their teeth, an implant-supported solution is essential.
The speedy remedy of the edentulous state is justified from several perspectives. These are as follows:
Speech disorders: teeth are fundamental for speech, for shaping sounds, therefore their absence completely destroys voice production, resulting in communication difficulties.
Jaw joint problems: When there are no teeth in the mouth, the lower jaw moves closer to the upper jaw, creating pressure in the jaw joint, which is responsible for jaw joint changes.
Balance disorders: since our teeth serve as a support for the entire body in everyday life, if they are not in place, balance is also disrupted
Nutritional disorders: as digestion is a fundamental element, tooth loss often causes nutritional disorders, as the patient loses the ability to bite and chew.
Facial structure changes: teeth also play a significant role in the formation of our facial lines, they support the jawbone and lips, meaning in cases of permanent tooth loss, the entire facial structure and appearance changes, making people look older than their age.
Jawbone atrophy: during chewing, the jawbone is continuously strengthened, but in a state of tooth loss, this bone begins to atrophy, which, besides many other unpleasantries, makes implantation more difficult in the long run.
Mental health issues: if someone has missing teeth, they are more likely to suffer from anxiety and mental health problems, which fundamentally has a negative impact on their quality of life.
Memory loss: research confirms that chewing improves blood flow to the brain, thus helping to maintain basic cognitive functions, good memory.
Types of full dental implant
There are several types of full dental implants, but they can all be said to offer much more in terms of durability, aesthetics, and functionality than traditional dentures.
However, there are still significant differences between them, and we will present them all below, paying particular attention to the related peculiarities.
Dental design at Naturadent
Implant-supported dentures
Implantologists recommend the ball-retention solution for those who want a fixed implant denture that can also be easily removed when necessary.
In common parlance, this technique is called a snap-on denture, as implants with a special ball-end fitting are inserted, onto which the corresponding part of the denture is simply snapped.
Despite being removable, it is very well secured and typically requires the implantation of four implants per jaw, though in certain cases, two implants may be sufficient for the lower jaw.
A major advantage is that it is a prosthesis that has no palate component, so it does not cause discomfort, and therefore does not cause nausea in patients. It is extremely easy to remove and reinsert, and does not require denture adhesive for use.
After the implants have healed, you will immediately regain full chewing ability and jaw support, and with a little getting used to, speech impediments will also disappear. Among its advantages, it should also be highlighted that this full set of implants can naturally be worn at night.
Teeth implants
The bar implant denture works on a similar principle to the ball head solution just presented. The difference, however, is that here the negative part of the denture is attached not to the implanted artificial root itself, but to a bar-like metal rod built upon it.
Four or two implants are generally needed for its construction, which after implantation are supplemented with a special metal element that ensures the secure retention of the denture, providing a much stronger hold for the removable part.
This is also about a removable denture that can be worn at night, which, in addition to its sufficient stability, creates a very aesthetic effect, so no one will notice the intervention from the outside, only the brilliantly white teeth.
This full dental implant also has no palate part, meaning the discomfort, nausea, and feeling of unease often associated with wearing traditional dentures can be avoided.
A dental prosthesis fitted onto healed implants can immediately restore full chewing ability – gradual loading is, of course, very important – but it also eliminates speech impediments and even ensures proper jaw support.
Implant-supported dentures with screws
There are many people who do not want removable dentures, as implants provide a durable enough foundation for this. In such cases, screw-retained dentures on implants are a good choice.
Its characteristic is that it is always fixed with five or six implants. This is important because this dental prosthesis cannot be removed at home, it is not removable, therefore, during its design, they strive for it to withstand exceptional loads.
The implant-supported design provides a stable foundation for people, allowing the fitted denture to make them completely forget about their tooth loss, and to live a full life again.
The essence of the technology is that the denture is then fixed to the implanted implants with well-hidden screws, whereby patients can fully regain their previous quality of life.
This denture is easy to care for, and should be cleaned in the same way as real teeth. After fitting, it not only restores effortless chewing ability but also eliminates speech impediments, whilst providing a flawless aesthetic appearance.
Step-by-step insertion of a full dental implant
Although the placement of a full dental implant is a very complex process, we have outlined below how it takes place step-by-step.
If you would like to become more familiar with the process of dental implant placement, you can read about it in much more detail in our article.
The first step is always a status assessment
When it comes to implants, many people are surprised that the process begins with a comprehensive examination. However, it is essential for the dentist or implantologist to thoroughly assess the oral cavity in order to achieve a successful outcome.
It is typical at this time to take a panoramic X-ray or CT scan, based on which the complete treatment plan can be drawn up. In many cases, some preliminary procedures are essential, and even bone augmentation may become necessary.
Precise planning is essential
Planning is also very important when designing a full dental implant. It is much more complicated than fitting a single prosthetic to an existing denture, but with sufficient care and appropriate practice, this should not cause any problems.
Great care must be taken with planning, as it will fundamentally determine both the final appearance and effectiveness.
Implant insertion
If bone grafting was not required – this is typically a separate procedure – the insertion of the implants can begin after planning. At this point, the patient can also digitally see what the full dental implant prosthesis will look like.
After administering local anaesthetic, the implantologist makes an incision on the gum surface, then prepares the bone socket to receive the implant. The artificial root is then placed in this socket, which is fitted with a cover screw until it heals. Following the closure of the wound, the healing process begins.
Bone healing period
For a full set of teeth to be constructed on the implant, you must always wait for bone fusion and healing. This interval can vary from patient to patient, so it may be possible to fit it after 2 months for some, while for others the process can take up to 6 months.
Full denture fitting
If the implant has bonded and healed properly, it is possible to place the bridge that has been prepared in the meantime. Careful planning shows its significance at this point, as the implants and the receiving elements of the bridge must fit together perfectly.
Following this, the patient can go home, adhering to the implantologist's strict guidelines, and gradually begin to put pressure on their new teeth.
