Full Mouth Dental Implant – Procedure and Cost

For various reasons, an individual can lose all of their teeth, which may not be very aesthetic and prevent them from chewing or speaking. Full-mouth dental implants pose an effective solution to such trouble.

Key Takeaways

• Full mouth implants replace all your missing teeth.
• The cost of the full mouth treatment starts at $19,000 per arch in Australia.
• Your insurance may cover a part of the treatment cost.
• Full-mouth dental implants completely restore the function and feel of your teeth
  

What Are Full Mouth Dental Implants?

Full-mouth dental implants involve the placement of screw-like implants into the jawbone to support the full arch of a dental prosthesis both in the upper and lower jaw.

The dental implant may be made from titanium due to its biocompatibility—its ability to merge with human bone. Or the implants could be made from zirconia, which will not trigger a chemical reaction in the human body.

Full-mouth implant treatment will typically require one or more implants. Your dentist may suggest All-on-4, which involves strategically placing four implants to support an arch of teeth prostheses.

Alternatively, if you have a softer jawbone, you may be put in for an All-on-6 treatment involving six dental implants. This implant treatment is typically used on the patient’s upper jaw, since it is much softer than the lower jaw.

What Are The Pros and Cons of Full Mouth Implants?

Full-mouth dental implants are usually a good option for patients seeking mouth reconstruction since they restore the feel, function, function and aesthetics of your teeth while staying in place.

But as with all dental procedures, full-mouth dental implants have a few drawbacks. Below are some of the main pros and cons of full-mouth implants. Make sure to discuss this thoroughly with your dentist when considering the treatment.

Pros

Preservation of jawbone

Missing teeth aren’t just aesthetically threatening but also affect your jawbone’s density. The bone needs regular stimulation, and deterioration occurs when no tooth root offers this.

Full-mouth dental implants eliminate this bone loss as they serve as artificial tooth roots which keep up the jawbone stimulation.

Restores teeth function

A loss of teeth means a decreased ability to chew and speak. This can even reduce your confidence and make you avoid social activities. Luckily, full-mouth dental implants fix this as well.

With the implants, you can chew anything you once enjoyed and speak coherently and clearly. It doesn’t just bring back the function of your teeth; it brings back confidence.

Improved appearance and facial shape

Another downside to missing teeth would be that they change your facial appearance. This is because teeth support the structure of your face, and when they are missing, you lose this structure.

Full-mouth dental implants work to restore your facial shape and your confident smile. 

Requires Minimal Maintenance

When patients hear the term dental implant, they may fear it’ll need some overly special cleaning technique. Contrarily, you can properly clean your full-mouth dental implants stress-free.

All you have to do is brush them twice and floss once daily with your dentist’s recommended floss. You may need to use a Waterpik to get all the food particles from underneath your implants.

Cons

High Cost

Full-mouth dental implants can have their cost running a bit high, with full arch implant placement starting at $19,000 in Australia. And unfortunately, many insurance companies see dental implants as cosmetic dentistry, so they will not offer coverage for your treatment.

Duration of the procedure

Full-mouth dental implants usually take 6 months to a year to be completed due to the healing and osseointegration. This timeframe could even lengthen further if you have experienced bone loss, as your dentist will need to perform a bone graft procedure.

What Are The Option For Full Mouth Dental Implants?

As previously mentioned, various options exist for replacing all your teeth with dental implants. The one your dentist recommends depends on your bone strength, among other factors.

Below are some of them.

All-on-4 Implants

All-on-4 dental implants involve fitting a dental prosthesis onto four implants inserted into your jawbone. Two implants are typically placed in the front and two in the back.

Most times, your dentist will recommend the All-on-4 treatment for your lower jaw since it has a better density than your upper jaw.

Same Day Implants

Your dental implants may be placed on the same day as your dental prosthesis. This is usually a temporary prosthesis, so your mouth isn’t empty while your implants fuse with your jawbone.

The prosthesis will still feel and function like normal teeth but may be more prone to breaking than a permanent prosthesis, which will be placed later.

Other Options

All-on-6 is a procedure that is quite similar to the All-on-4 but with the addition of two dental implants.

These additional implants offer more support where jawbone density is lacking. This means that it is typically used for replacing teeth on the upper jaw.

Full Mouth Dental Implant Procedure

Initial Consultation 

Full-mouth dental implants are an excellent option for tooth restoration, but they are not for everyone. So, your dentist will review your medical and dental histories at your consultation to see if you are a good fit for the treatment.

Treatment Planning

Following that, your dentist will take X-rays of your mouth and perform 3D CT scans. This enables them to craft a personalised treatment plan for your procedure.

Make sure to ask your dentist for any clarifications needed at this point.

Dental Implant Placement

Bone grafting may be performed in preparation for implant placement. Once your bone is strong enough, your dentist will insert the titanium or zirconia implants into your jawbone.

You may be scheduled for an appointment 3–4 days later where your dentist will fit your temporary prosthesis (if it isn’t fitted on the same day).

Final Restorations

Once the implants have integrated into your jawbone, your dentist will take your mouth impressions to construct your permanent prosthesis. Your dentist will fit them into your implants, and any adjustments required will be made here.

Care & Maintaining

Your denial office will typically schedule you for routine checks to monitor the success rate of the implants. This would enable them to walk you through the maintenance and give them a heads-up if an implant failure occurs.

How Much Do Full Mouth Dental Implants Cost?

The cost for an All-on-4 treatment in Australia starts at $19,000 per arch and could go higher depending on your situation. Moorooka Dental Centre provides various payment options, so you don’t have to be concerned about the cost of your tooth restoration.

And although many insurance companies do not cover dental implants, some plans cover part or all of the treatment. Ask your insurance provider to see if your dental plan will cover any part of your full-mouth implant cost.

Full Mouth Dental Implants VS Implant-Retained Dentures

Full-mouth dental implants may support a fixed bridge or denture as a dental prosthesis, whereas implant-retained dentures are made to support dentures for several teeth in a patient’s mouth.

FAQ

How Long Does Full Mouth Implant Last?

Under proper maintenance, full-mouth dental implants can last a minimum of 20 years and up to a lifetime.

How Many Teeth Are In A Full Mouth Of Implants?

A full-mouth dental implant replaces all your missing teeth, so there are typically 32 in a full-mouth implant prosthesis.

How Long Does A Full Dental Implant Procedure Take?

A full dental implant procedure ranges from a few months to over a year. Factors like a bone graft or sinus lift can add to the duration.

Is Full Mouth Implant Painful?

Full-mouth implants are not painful because your dentist will numb the pain with an anaesthetic. Your dentist may even put you on a sedative, which completely calms you during the surgery.

Are Full Mouth Implants Better Than Dentures?

Dentures tend to move out of place and cause bone loss, while full-mouth implants don’t. So, implants may be a better option for convenience and jawbone health.

Can Full Mouth Dental Implants Be Done In One Day?

Your dentist cannot complete a full mouth implant procedure in one day since osseointegration must occur before the permanent artificial teeth are placed.

Are Full Mouth Implants Removable?

The patient cannot remove Full-mouth dental implants. However, if need be, your dentist should be able to remove it.