For individuals who have lost a lot of teeth over the course of their lives, a full-arch restoration procedure is a type of tooth replacement. It is a method that imitates the functioning and appearance of a full mouth of teeth using dental implants and screw-retained prostheses.

The process involves utilizing as few as four dental implants to secure a full prosthesis (denture) in your mouth. The dental implant posts guard against bone resorption and guarantee that your replacement teeth are firmly fixed in place.  You won’t have to stress about your dentures slipping, falling out, or injuring you because they don’t fit properly. An extremely effective technique to repair most or all of your missing teeth is full-arch restorations. Patients can confidently eat, speak, and smile thanks to full-arch restorations.

After acquiring their replacement teeth, patients might expect the following advantages, among others:

• Improved capacity to chew food 

• No removable components that slip or scratch

• Bone loss prevention, protecting face structure 

• A beautiful new smile

Someone must first be evaluated by a qualified dentist in order to be approved as a candidate for a full restoration of their mouth with dental implants. The dentist must ensure there is enough jawbone for proper placement of the dental implants. Full-arch restoration can be the best option for you if you need to repair several lost or damaged teeth.

If the following issues apply to you, you may be a candidate for the full-arch restoration procedure:

• Your teeth need to be replaced because they are missing or damaged

• Your upper or lower dental arch is deficient or lacking most or all of its teeth

• Your removable dentures are worn

• You’re looking for a long-term remedy for tooth loss

Full-arch restorations are usually completed in one or two procedures. Your full-arch prosthesis will be connected to the dental implants either at the same surgery as the dental implants’ placement or during a future procedure. Your dentist can create a temporary set of teeth for you to wear while your permanent teeth are being created if your new teeth cannot be fitted during the initial surgery.

Step 1: Consultation

The consultation is the first stage of every full arch replacement. Your dentist will thoroughly examine your smile while taking note of your jaw structure and current dental health.

It’s crucial that you are in good health, free of any uncontrolled conditions that can hinder healing.

Step 2: Imaging

If your dentist determines you’re a candidate for dental implant surgery, the next step is imaging.

During your appointment, a few basic digital X-rays of your teeth will be taken, but this subsequent stage requires more comprehensive imaging to get ready for dental implant surgery and the development of your prosthetic. To start making the denture that will complete your full arch replacement, your dentist may also take impressions of your mouth.

Step 3: Placement

The installation of your dental implants is the crucial next step. If your jaw doesn’t have enough density, you might need a bone graft first, so the implants will have enough support.

To keep you comfortable throughout the procedure, you are usually under some sort of sedation.  Each dental implant will be inserted into your jaw to give your future prosthetic the best possible support. Typically, each arch needs four to eight implants. Following surgery, it will take your dental implants four to six months to integrate with your jawbone. You won’t go without teeth during that time, though.

Step 4: Temporary Prosthetics

Your dentist will provide you with a temporary denture to wear following the placement of your dental implants. The temporary denture won’t be as perfect as your future permanent one, but it will allow you to smile, eat, and feel comfortable while your dental implants are healing and your permanent denture is being made.

Step 5: Permanent Prosthetics

The appointment for your permanent prosthesis is the last and most exciting phase. You will return to your dental office for a fitting and placement once they receive your permanent denture, which usually takes a few weeks. After your permanent prosthesis is fitted, your temporary dentures will be taken out. During this appointment, your dentist will inform you on how to take care of your new teeth. 

The precise amount of time required for an implant restoration varies depending on the patient and the procedures required. The length of time for implant restoration varies considerably based on the specific circumstances, but generally, it takes five to eight months.

It takes time to properly recuperate after a full-arch dental implant procedure.  Your dentist will use tiny metal rods that are placed through the gums and into the jawbone to attach your temporary teeth after your teeth have been extracted. Although your final teeth won’t be inserted for roughly three months to allow for complete healing, most people return to work the day after this treatment.

You should expect some pain, swelling, and bleeding for the first two days following surgery. Pain can be managed with over-the-counter medication, and after the third day, discomfort should subside. Within a few days, the stitches in your gums will disappear. You’ll likely have to eat soft foods for a week to 10 days.

Full restorations are the preferred course of treatment since they are not only permanent but also produce results that feel and function exactly like real teeth. The implant screw can last a lifetime with routine brushing and flossing if the patient visits the dentist every six months. However, the crown typically only lasts 10 to 15 years before needing to be replaced because of wear and tear.

Because no two patients are the same, the average cost of a full arch reconstruction in Canada can vary greatly depending on the complexity of your surgery. The average cost of a full arch reconstruction can range from $28,000-$30,000 per arch.

Full-arch reconstruction surgery carries various health risks, just like any other procedure. Though they are uncommon, they are often minor and treatable when they do arise. 

 Risks include: 

• Infection at the implant site

• Injury or damage to nearby structures, such as blood vessels or other teeth

• Nerve damage can result in pain, numbness, or tingling in your natural teeth, gums, lips, or chin

• Sinus issues occur when dental implants placed in the upper jaw protrude into one of your sinus cavities

5/5 people who have undergone a full arch reconstruction have rated the procedure “worth it” (100%)

•  Source –Realself.com