Frequently Asked Questions About Full Arch Dental Implants

We come across a number of dentistry procedures in our lives which it is sometimes very hard to remember.

As a patient, you may not be able to remember all of them at once. I mean think of yourself for a moment and imagine how many times you visited a dentist either for your treatment or accompanying a friend or a relative and I am sure the purpose was different almost every time.

That is because dentistry is a vast field and you need to visit a dentist for a number of reasons. One such reason is going for full arch dental implants which simply means restoring a complete arch of the missing teeth.

It is very similar to a general implant, the difference being that in this procedure you don’t implant a single tooth but a series of them. Generally, four to six teeth are implanted in the procedure. 

This procedure is mostly done to the people who have lost their tooth in an accident. In this blog, we’ll try to know a little more about it by answering some of the most frequently asked questions about the procedure known as Full Arch Dental Implants. Let’s begin!

1. How many teeth can be implanted in a full arch dental implant?

Well, it entirely depends upon the patient’s requirement. One can start with four to six teeth or a full arch. Each dental arch contains 10 teeth, (two canines, four incisors, and four molars) A person can even implant both the arches if needed. 

2. Will there be any pain after the procedure?

Well, not exactly the pain but you’ll feel discomfort for a couple of days and why should you not feel it? I mean this is a big enough procedure and feeling discomfort is obvious. The newly implanted teeth will give an alien feel till you get used to them. Once you get used to them, they won’t discomfort you anymore.

3. Are all dental implants the same?

Of course not! Dental implants are of different types and require different methods. They are not the same at all.

There are differences in the materials used, in the methodology, and moreover in the duration of the procedure. It entirely depends on your requirement and the budget. There are mainly three types of implants which are endosteal, subperiosteal, and zygomatic.

Endosteal is the safest and most common, followed by subperiosteal, and then zygomatic is the last and most complex. It is rarely used.

4. How do I clean the full arch implants?

Here’s an important question about maintaining/cleaning the implants. It is very important that you care about these implants for better performance.

This procedure requires a good amount of time and money hence it is very important that you know how to take good care of these implants.

To answer the question, there are many ways of taking its care and you can go with some of them to take maximum care of your teeth.

• Use super floss under the bridge after every meal.
• Use an electric toothbrush for deep cleaning your implants.
• Brush your teeth and cheeks to remove bacteria and odors.
• Make sure to attend professional cleaning after every three months.

5. How does a full arch dental implant take place?

Full arch dental implants are not done in a single go. They require multiple visits and obviously cost you more than a normal implant. Talking about the procedure, your dentist will take x-rays of your teeth and gums in the first session.

Impressions will also be taken and your dentist will plan the placement of your implants. Then implants can be placed in a separate session afterward. Since this is a complicated process, hence it will require oral surgery to install the implants.

6. For how long can the full arch implants last?

These can last for many years provided that you take care of them well. Oral hygiene is as important as overall hygiene. In fact it is more important than others since it is directly linked to the digestive system in your body. These implants can last for about 15 years if taken good care of.

7. What can one eat after the implant is done? 

The dental implant isn’t an easy procedure. This requires a lot of skill and care during and after the procedure. You won’t be able to eat like before for at least one to two days because of the obvious reasons. Hence you should feed yourself with nutritious liquids and smoothies.

Some of the recommended things you can go for after the Implants are yogurt,ice cream, pudding, applesauce, mashed potatoes, creamy soups and broth, and other soft/liquid foods.

8. How long do I need to rest after an implant?

If you are a healthy patient, three to four days of rest should be sufficient for you. You are expected to develop some tenderness and/or swelling after the procedure which will require a couple of days to subside.

Many dentists recommend going for the procedure in the mid-week because of the fact that you’d need to take off for just one or two days followed by a weekend to recover. 

9. How soon after extraction can one have an implant?

By now you must be aware of the process of a dental implant which means there should be an adequate bone that can hold the implants.

If you have gone through an extraction recently, it’ll take you somewhere around three to six months to reach the condition that can be feasible for an implant. Again, it depends upon the patient’s health. The fitter the patient, the less time he/she will need to recover.

10. What are the pros and cons of full arch dental implants?

Before you go for any procedure, it is very important to know about its pros and cons of it. Hence it becomes a very important question to ask.

Every procedure has its good and bad effects. Let’s throw light on both of them one by one.

Pros of full arch dental implants:

• You will be able to speak more clearly and easily.
• You’ll start living with less pain and more comfort.
• These implants are stronger than your natural teeth.
• These implants improve the strength of your jawbone.
• These implants are beneficial for you in the long term.

Cons of full arch dental implants:

• The procedure is a bit costly and everyone may not be able to afford it.
• There’s a chance of bone loss at the implant site.
• Surgery and anesthesia is required to complete the process.
• Longer healing periods.
• Infections don’t usually take place but there’s a chance that you may get infections.

These were some of the pros and cons of the full arch implants and with this, we have overviewed almost all the aspects of the procedure.

These were some of the most frequently asked questions about full arch dental implants and we hope that you have gotten a good enough understanding about the procedure. The aim is to make you aware about these processes and procedures so that if any need arises in the future, you are able to make the right decision and go for the correct procedure. Although your dentist will do it for you, having prior knowledge is a must.