Implant Fixed Complete Prostheses in Stuart, FL

An implant-supported fixed prosthesis can replace both teeth and gum tissue. It looks and acts like your natural teeth. The prosthesis fits securely even when you chew and speak. In addition, they do not allow the opposing natural teeth to move and shift, protecting your bite and jaw joint.

Besides allowing replacement of all missing teeth in a dental arch, dental implants help prevent bone loss that occurs when teeth are lost. When no teeth are present the jawbone has no use, which leads to its deterioration. This shrinkage of the jawbone has esthetic consequences for your face (causing an older appearance), especially when missing all teeth. With the use of implant-supported prostheses, the bone is put to use, preserving it and your facial support.

This full arch fixed prosthesis will not be removed except by your prosthodontist. Your new teeth will look and feel like your natural ones once did.

An implant-supported fixed prosthesis consists of several parts.

• Multiple (usually four or more) implants, which are made of titanium, are placed in the upper or lower jawbone to replace the roots of some of the missing teeth.
• The abutments, made of titanium, are attached to the implant with a screw. This part connects the implants to the prosthesis.
• A temporary (interim) prosthesis is made of an esthetic plastic material (acrylic resin) and screws into the abutments.
• There are actually various material options available for the definitive prosthesis. But, like the temporary, the definitive prosthesis screws into the abutments. After the prosthesis is screwed in, the screw holes will be covered with tooth-colored composite filling material.

The final prosthetic teeth should be discussed prior to starting treatment as the different options have different requirements for proper esthetics, function, planned space for the prosthesis, and number of implants to support the prosthesis.

The basic options include but are not limited to:

• Hybrid Prosthesis - Metal-resin hybrid, usually a milled titanium framework supporting acrylic resin (gum tissue and denture teeth). This is the most affordable and easily repaired option
• Monolithic Zirconia Prosthesis - Dense and strong full zirconia one-piece bridge (zirconia gum tissue and teeth).
• Zurick, Promax, or Component Prosthesis - One-piece framework with individual porcelain or ceramic crowns cemented to the framework. This is the most expensive, but very easily repaired option.
• Implant-Supported Bridges or Implant Fixed Partial Dentures - Usually three separate implant bridges made of ceramics, porcelain fused to metal, porcelain fused to zirconia or all zirconia)

The number of implants for these fixed prostheses, primarily depends on the arch or jawbone being treated. There is a substantial difference in bone density (hardness of the bone foundation for the implants) between the upper and lower jawbones. By nature, the lower jaw has more dense bone than that of the upper jaw. Therefore, less implants (4 to 5) are needed for the lower jaw to allow sufficient support of a lower fixed prosthesis. On the contrary, more implants (6 to 8) are needed to support an upper fixed prosthesis.

Bone density is not the only factor the prosthodontist must take in to account when planning your prosthesis. Just a couple of major other factors include:

• Oral Habits – Most commonly, whether or not the patient suffers from bruxism (clenching and/or grinding teeth) or Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD). This factor leads to consideration of more implants and may also influence the type of prosthesis material that is recommended. Often a night guard is recommended in these cases to protect both implants and prostheses from excessive forces.
• The opposing arch – Those with natural teeth have increased bite force. Therefore, if the opposing arch is natural teeth, usually more implants are required and vice-versa. For example, when the patient has an upper complete denture without implants opposing the fixed implant prosthesis, some cases only require four implants in the lower jaw to support the prosthesis, coining the phrase “all on four”.

The number of implants for these fixed prostheses, primarily depends on the arch or jawbone being treated. There is a substantial difference in bone density (hardness of the bone foundation for the implants) between the upper and lower jawbones. By nature, the lower jaw has more dense bone than that of the upper jaw. Therefore, less implants (4 to 5) are needed for the lower jaw to allow sufficient support of a lower fixed prosthesis. On the contrary, more implants (6 to 8) are needed to support an upper fixed prosthesis.

Bone density is not the only factor the prosthodontist must take in to account when planning your prosthesis. Just a couple of major other factors include:

• Oral Habits – Most commonly, whether or not the patient suffers from bruxism (clenching and/or grinding teeth) or Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD). This factor leads to consideration of more implants and may also influence the type of prosthesis material that is recommended. Often a night guard is recommended in these cases to protect both implants and prostheses from excessive forces.
• The opposing arch – Those with natural teeth have increased bite force. Therefore, if the opposing arch is natural teeth, usually more implants are required and vice-versa. For example, when the patient has an upper complete denture without implants opposing the fixed implant prosthesis, some cases only require four implants in the lower jaw to support the prosthesis, coining the phrase “all on four”.

The primary dental specialist in charge of leading the process and delivering this full-arch implant restoration is the prosthodontist. First, a full denture is prefabricated and duplicated to form a clear surgical guide prior to any teeth being removed. In most cases, an oral surgeon will remove all of the remaining teeth on the arch being treated and immediately place multiple (four or more) implants strategically around the arch using the surgical guide for implant position determination (a restorative-driven process).

Next, the abutments are chosen and the prefabricated denture is converted into a full arch screw-retained acrylic resin temporary restoration. This lab conversion results in a beautiful temporary that will be worn for the duration of healing and integration of the multiple implants into the jawbone. Finally, after the three to six-month healing period, the definitive prosthesis is lab-fabricated over a series of appointments by your prosthodontist and a Certified Dental Technician (CDT).

For a healthy individual with good oral hygiene, dental implants have reported success rates above 90-95 percent. Good oral hygiene is very important to the success of any implant-supported prosthesis. Although the implants and the restoration can’t decay, you’ll need to make sure the area around them is especially clean to prevent gum problems. Dental implant maintenance is important to avoid peri-implantitis, an inflammatory process that can damage the soft tissue and bone around implants.

Repairs or replacement of the prosthesis is expected after many years of service. Just like natural teeth, an implant prosthesis can wear and break. The lifespan of these restorations often depends on many factors, including oral habits, like teeth grinding. In many cases, a night guard is indicated to protect your implants and prosthesis.

he implants and prosthesis require regular at-home and professional hygiene maintenance just as natural teeth do. An electronic toothbrush and Waterpik water-flosser for at-home care and visit to your Registered Dental Hygienist every 3 to 4 months for dental implant maintenance is highly recommended. Occasionally, the prosthesis may need removal from the mouth by the prosthodontist for a more thorough cleaning and re-polishing.

For any further questions about implant-supported fixed complete prostheses please do not hesitate to ask us.

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