All Teeth Missing

When it comes to replacing missing teeth, time is of the essence. The longer you wait, the more potential complications can arise. It is generally recommended that you replace missing teeth as soon as possible to maintain proper oral health and function. Leaving a gap for an extended period of time can lead to a shifting of the surrounding teeth, bone loss in the jaw, and difficulty in chewing and speaking.

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are placed in the jawbone to provide a stable foundation for replacement teeth. They are a popular and effective solution for individuals who have lost 1 or more teeth due to injury, decay, or periodontal disease. Dental implants are made of biocompatible materials such as titanium, which allows them to fuse with the bone and become a permanent part of the mouth. The process of getting dental implants typically involves several stages, including a thorough evaluation, placement of the implant, and attachment of the replacement tooth or teeth. Dental implants are known for their durability, natural appearance, and ability to restore proper function to the mouth.

For a full arch, most people need somewhere between four and six implants per jaw. A complete set of fixed teeth can often be carried on four well-placed implants, an approach many people know as All-on-4. Where there’s more chewing force to manage or the bone needs extra support, six implants may be recommended instead.

The right number comes down to your jawbone density, which jaw is being treated, and the type of teeth being fitted. The upper jaw is softer than the lower, so it sometimes calls for a little more support.

During treatment, you shouldn’t feel pain. The area is fully numbed, and our Enjoyable Dentistry Technique™ is designed to keep you calm and comfortable throughout, which matters a great deal to the many nervous patients we look after. We’ll talk you through each step so nothing takes you by surprise.

Afterwards, it’s normal to have some soreness and swelling for a few days while the area heals, much as you would after any minor procedure.

Most implants take around three to six months to fuse fully with the jawbone. That healing period, called osseointegration, is what turns the implant into a foundation solid enough to carry your new teeth for years to come.

How long it takes varies from person to person. Bone quality, your general health, and habits like smoking all play a part, which is why we ask you to avoid smoking while you heal. It isn’t a stage to rush, since giving the implants time to settle properly is what protects the long-term result.

With good care, the implant itself, the titanium post in your jaw, can last for decades and often for the rest of your life. Studies consistently show that around 95 in every 100 implants are still working well ten years after they’re placed, which makes them one of the most reliable treatments in dentistry.

The teeth fixed on top do more of the day-to-day work of biting and chewing, so they wear over time and may need refreshing or replacing after roughly ten to fifteen years. That’s usually a straightforward job that leaves the implants themselves in place.