What is Full Mouth Dental Implants?
If you are one of the millions of Americans who are missing all or most of your teeth, you may be looking for an effective method for replacing them. This is where full-mouth dental implants come in.
This is a procedure that is used to replace an entire arch of missing teeth in a way that is feels, looks, and functions naturally. We use 4 to 8 dental implants to support the overdenture or dental prosthesis.
Therefore, you want to know all that you can. Dr. Jiyon and Sang Kim at 5th and Olive will be happy to help you understand your best option.
Types of Dental Implants for Full Mouth Reconstruction
The two most common dental implants for full mouth reconstruction are: All-on-4 and All-on-6. These two options are used to replace an entire arch of teeth. The All-on-4 system uses 4 dental implants to support an overdenture, while the All-on-6 uses 6.
In the All-on-4 system, we will place 4 implants in your jaw, two in the front and two in the back at a 45° angle. In the All-on-6 system, we place 6 dental implants throughout the jawbone. Once the implants have healed and we have your permanent overdenture, we will schedule an appointment for you to be fitted.
What Factors Determine the Cost of Full Mouth Dental Implants?
The cost of full-mouth dental implants ranges between $12,000 to $25,000 per arch, which is much lower than the $40,000+ it would cost to replace each tooth with a single implant.
There are several factors that are used to determine the cost of full-mouth dental implants, including:
Location: the cost of living is higher in some areas than others, which could influence the cost of your implants- additionally, if you go to a smaller town/suburb instead of a big city for this procedure, you may save money.
Implant material: implants are made with either titanium or zirconium, which impacts the cost of the procedure
Experience of dentist: typically, a dentist with several years of experience will charge more than a newer dentist.
Full Mouth Dental Implants vs. Low-Cost Denture Implants
Full-Mouth Dental Implants | Low-Cost Denture Implants | |
Cost | $12,000 to $25,000 | $1,000 to $4,500 per tooth |
Longevity | With proper care, will last a lifetime | With proper care, should last several years |
Insurance | Insurance typically covers a portion of this treatment | Insurance typically covers are portion of this treatment |
Full-mouth dental implants may not be the most affordable option for tooth replacement, but they will definitely be worth it in the long run. Low-Cost denture implants don’t feel very sturdy or stable.
Am I Eligible for Dental Implants?
If you are considering replacing your missing or damaged/decayed teeth with dental implants, we encourage you to schedule a consultation appointment with the team at 5th and Olive Dental in Seattle.
Typically, anyone that is healthy enough to undergo surgery is eligible for dental implant surgery. You need to have healthy gums and adequate bone density to support a dental implant. In addition, you must practice proper oral hygiene and keep up with your dental exams and cleanings every 6 months.
If you are a smoker, have a chronic medical condition, or have undergone radiation therapy to the head/neck area, you will need to be evaluated to determine your eligibility.
Long-Term Benefits of Dental Implants vs. Cost
While dental implants are one of the most expensive tooth replacement solutions, the benefits far outweigh the cost.
When you are missing teeth, there are several aspects of your life that are impacted including your ability to eat, speak clearly, your appearance, and more. However, dental implants help by:
- Preventing bone loss: your tooth roots stimulate your jawbone, keeping it healthy. When you are missing teeth, your jawbone loses that stimulation, which means it begins to deteriorate. This causes your face to sag, making you look much older than you truly are. Then, the bone loss will cause more teeth to come out, which makes it harder to speak clearly and to eat hard/tough foods. However, dental implants act as tooth roots, stimulating the bone and keeping it healthy.
Improving confidence: research shows that when people start losing their teeth, their self-confidence begins to decrease. This may cause them to avoid social situations or job interviews to advance their career because they are worried about what others think. However, dental implants give you back your smile and confidence.
Dental Implant FAQs
The team at 5th and Olive Dental strive to make sure that our patients understand our procedures before going through them. Here are some of the most common questions we hear about dental implants:
How much are dental implants?
Dental implants are among the most expensive tooth replacement options, with the average cost being between $1,000 to $4,500 per tooth. If the surgery is deemed medically necessary, dental insurance may cover a portion of treatment.
How much are full-mouth dental implants?
The cost of full-mouth dental implants ranges between $12,000 to $25,000. If you were to replace each tooth with a single implant, it would cost more than $40,000- and that’s just for the implants. These costs do not include the cost of additional procedures such as bone grafts, sinus lifts, extraction, sedation, or anything else.
On the other hand, this cost also doesn’t consider dental insurance. In some cases, dental insurance may cover up to 50% of the cost of full-mouth dental implants, which means that you do not have to pay the full amount. If your insurance does not cover implants or you do not have insurance, we have financing options to make the cost of treatment more manageable.
Why should I avoid dairy after dental implants?
Dairy causes inflammation in the mouth, especially around the implant site. Therefore, you should avoid these products. additionally, ingredients in milk products can soften tissue and induce vomiting, which releases stomach acids into your mouth. These acids can cause irritation and possibly infection around the implant.
You will need to speak with the dental team to determine how long you will have to avoid these products. there are several factors involved including the seriousness of the procedure, the time it takes you to recover, and how quickly the implant site heals.
How long do dental implants last?
Dental implants are designed to be a permanent, long-lasting solution for tooth loss. As long as you take care of them as directed, they should last a lifetime. Depending on your habits, you may need to replace the crown- but the implant itself should last.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
Patients who are missing most or all of their teeth often seek out options for replacing those missing teeth and improving their functionality and aesthetics. One of our most popular options is dental implants.
If you are one of the millions of people who are missing teeth, schedule your consultation today to find out more about your eligibility and the next steps for treatment. We look forward to working with you and giving you your smile back. Full-mouth dental implants are on the more expensive end of the spectrum, but the benefits are well worth it.