Tooth loss is a common phenomenon that can affect anyone, regardless of their age. Although you’re at a higher risk of losing your natural teeth due to aging, there are various other reasons that may lead to tooth loss even when still young.
For instance, diseases and severe injury or trauma can lead to tooth loss in a younger person.
Dental implants are some of the best solutions to replace missing natural teeth. They can also be used when someone needs to replace most or all their natural teeth.
This post takes you through all you need to know about full mouth dental implants, who’s an ideal candidate, their cost, and more.
What Are Full Mouth Dental Implants?
Dental implants provide ways to replace missing natural teeth. While you can get one tooth replaced using implants, full mouth dental implants come in handy when you wish to replace all or most of your missing teeth.
Most people are familiar with single tooth dental implants. But when it comes to full mouth implants, using the same model is insanely expensive.
Besides the cost, you will also have issues with practicality. This is because your jaw cannot possibly handle close to 30 individual implants.
Full mouth dental implants offer an alternative to dentures as a way of replacing most or all your natural teeth. They have more advantages as they are more stable, permanent, and resemble your natural teeth, including all their functionality. They even provide a better solution to getting a perfect bite.
Full mouth dental implants entail various methods, such as the all-on-4 dental implants. Dental bridges are also another way of using implants to replace all your missing natural teeth.
Let’s explore further how full mouth dental implants work and how you can get them.
Who Is A Candidate For Full Mouth Dental Implants?
Full mouth dental implants are the ideal treatment option for someone missing almost all their natural teeth. However, not everyone that requires all their natural teeth replaced can be a good candidate.
Sufficient bone structure
For starters, the ideal candidate must have sufficient jawbone structure and gum tissues to support the dental implants when placed.
In case you have suffered bone loss due to oral problems such as gingivitis or a tooth abscess, full mouth dental implants may not be ideal for you.
There are many other instances that may lead to the loss of jawbone density, such as chemotherapy. Patients that have undergone chemotherapy, especially in the maxillofacial, jaw, or neck regions, will require the assistance of an oncologist or an oral surgeon to take scans to assess their bone density before they can determine their eligibility for full mouth dental implants.
Patience
Although an often overlooked consideration, one of the key considerations for a full mouth dental implant candidate is patience.
The treatment period is lengthy, taking months (up to 6 months) to complete. If you are not patient enough to wait until your treatment cycle is over, you may not be an ideal candidate.
Ability to make lifestyle changes
Still tied to having patience, someone that wishes to get full mouth dental implants should have the willingness to make some lifestyle changes. For instance, such an individual should be willing to give up activities like smoking.
Gum diseases are more prevalent and severe in smokers, and it also increases the chances of one experiencing bone loss and gum recession, which may make your implant treatment fail.
Pregnancy
Unlike single tooth dental implants, full mouth dental implant procedures often include general anesthesia during surgery. Some studies have linked anesthesia with premature birth, miscarriage, or low birth weight in infants.
It would be prudent to discuss your options with a qualified medical practitioner if you wish to get full mouth dental implants during your pregnancy.
In cases where getting these implants is considered medically necessary and time-sensitive, you may have to wait until the second trimester.
However, if the treatment can be reasonably postponed, you may have to wait until after delivery to get full mouth dental implants.
You can consider other alternatives if you’re not eligible to get full mouth dental implants. Veneers may be worth checking out if you do not require extensive restoration.
Take a look at how veneers compare with implants in our comprehensive post veneers vs implants.
The Process Of Getting Full Mouth Dental Implants
Although full mouth dental implant procedures can be lengthy, they are also straightforward, especially if there are no complications and you are a good candidate.
This process begins with several diagnostic planning visits to determine your eligibility, including x-rays and CT scans. This is because it is crucial that you have sufficient bone density before getting the implants; otherwise, they may fail.
Once you are approved for the procedure, the physical process begins with the dentist placing titanium posts in your upper and lower jawbone. In most cases, they can be 4 posts on each jaw. However, your dentist may also place six in your lower jawbone and up to eight on the upper jawbone.
Modern technology allows temporary bridges to be placed on those posts on the same day of the surgery. Although not necessary, your dentist may recommend using a mouthguard to enable the posts to fuse even better.
Once you have healed, the permanent bridges are affixed to the implants to give you a new smile with artificial teeth that look and function just like your natural teeth.
Benefits Of Full Mouth Dental Implants
Although it can be a lengthy process, full mouth dental implants offer more reasons to consider them as a solution to replacing multiple missing natural teeth.
Consider the following benefits that make it a better alternative to traditional bridges or full dentures:
Preservation of bone structure
Gums that support teeth receive support from the jawbone found under the gum. Whenever one goes through tooth loss, the jawbone loses strength. This may lead to facial structure changes as the size and height of the jawbone goes down.
Full mouth dental implants provide the same support as the roots of natural teeth and stimulate the bone within the jaw to offer stability to the artificial teeth. Not only does this provide a permanent solution to allow someone to talk and eat, but it also prevents gum bones from shrinking.
Preservation of adjacent teeth
The lack of some natural teeth in your mouth may make the remaining teeth shift, causing misalignment problems. Full mouth dental implants prevent this shift and also the wear and tear on adjacent teeth.
Cost-efficient
Although the total cost of full mouth dentures may take some people aback, looking at the bigger picture makes this procedure more cost-effective.
Full mouth dental implants are permanent and do not require changing or special maintenance. This is unlike alternative solutions which require regular maintenance, such as traditional dentures. In the long run, this life-long comfort and convenience without spending additional money make this solution cost-effective.
Parafunctional habits
Full mouth dental implants are proven to be better than regular single-tooth implants, especially for people with parafunctional habits, such as bruxism and teeth clenching.
These habits can take a toll on regular implants and may make them crack or get weak, as in the case of natural teeth. With full mouth dental implants, a completely new and well-organized smile is made from artificial teeth with a better arrangement that considers any parafunctional habits a patient may have.
Check Full Mouth Dental Implants Before And After Pictures
If you’re looking for motivation or still undecided if getting full mouth dental implants are ideal for you, check out these full mouth dental implants before and after pictures to help you decide:
What Does Full Mouth Dental Implants Cost?
Full mouth dental implants cost anywhere between $7,000 and $68,000. The average cost for full mouth dental implants is $30,000. This option is typically cheaper than a full set of traditional implants, which can cost over $40,000.
As mentioned earlier, getting a full set of individual dental implants would not be practical. So, either way, you can avoid paying these insanely high prices for individual implants.
So, exactly how much does it cost to get a full mouth of dental implants? There are various factors that come into consideration when settling on the exact price of full mouth dental implants. Let’s look at some of them to offer you more clarity.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Full Mouth Dental Implants
There isn’t a fixed standard price for full mouth dental implants. Various factors come into play to determine the precise cost of the implants you may have to pay. Some of the factors that can affect the cost of full mouth dental implants include:
- Your location: The cost of living in urban areas and major cities is relatively higher than in other places. If you live in an area where the cost of living is generally higher, you have better chances of taking the total price lower if you sought treatment in a different location.
- The material used to make the implants: There are two primary materials that can be used to make dental implants: titanium or zirconium. Although titanium implants are the most common and readily available, zirconia implants are also an alternative. However, these implants are generally more expensive.
- The dentist’s experience: Dentists with more experience tend to charge more than newer dentists.
However, it would be prudent to note that even if a dentist is new to the practice, it doesn’t mean they do not know how to get the job done, as they have also undergone the necessary training.
Nevertheless, most people will opt for a more experienced dentist as it may make them feel more comfortable.
Does Dental Insurance Cover Full Mouth Dental Implants?
Full mouth dental implants are much less expensive than a full mouth of individual implants. However, visiting the dentist without insurance for any extensive procedures can be quite expensive, and it may create a huge dent in your finances.
The cost of full mouth dental implants with insurance is significantly lower, as some insurances can cover partly and even wholly depending on your cover.
However, it is important to note that not all insurances cover such major restorative procedures. Moreover, some that do cover these procedures may have additional requirements. For instance, the need for full mouth dental implants has to be medically necessary, and there isn’t a cheaper alternative available.
Before getting started with any dentist, it is crucial that you first contact your insurance provider to determine if you are eligible to get covered.
What Is The Cost Of Full Mouth Dental Implants With Financing?
Depending on the dental clinic that you go to, you can inquire if they offer financing for dental implants. Each clinic has its own policies and terms for financing and payment plans. Nevertheless, this mode significantly reduces the total price of full mouth dental implants.
You can also tap into your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) and see how it can help lower the overall cost of your full mouth dental implants.
What Is The Cost Of Full Mouth Dental Implants In USA?
The cost of full mouth dental implants in the USA ranges from $7,000 to $68,000. The prices can even be higher in some regions. Depending on your region, exactly how much should you expect to pay?
You can search online for the cost of full mouth dental implants near me to get better clarity on the figures.
Here’s a summary of the estimated cost of full mouth dental implants in a few states in the US:
Full Mouth Dental Implants Cost In California
California is among the most expensive states in the US, so you would expect to pay more for full mouth dental implants. On average, you should expect to pay up to $45,000 for full mouth implants.
Full Mouth Dental Implants Cost In Texas
You can get full mouth dental implants in Texas for as low as $20,000. You can easily find clinics offering discounts for full mouth implants near you. However, you should be careful enough to go through the fine print and understand any terms or conditions tied to the offer.
Cost Of Full Mouth Dental Implants In Florida
The cost of full mouth dental implants in Florida varies greatly, and you can expect to pay from $30,000 to $53,000. The overall condition of your oral health is one of the factors that can affect the total cost of the treatment.
Full Mouth Dental Implants Cost In Ohio
Full mouth dental implants in Ohio have a wide range of pricing, as you can get them for as low as $6,000 and as high as $80,000 for both arches.
Cost of Full Mouth Dental Implants In Arizona
Although not the priciest state in the US, the cost of full mouth dental implants in Arizona is one the more expensive sides. You should expect to pay from $35,000 up to $70,000 for both arches.
Full Mouth Dental Implants Vs Dentures Cost
Full mouth dental implants typically cost a lot more than standard dentures. Even though there are different types of dentures, even the pricier ones may not cost as much as the cheapest full mouth dental implants.
On average, full mouth dental implants can take you back $35,000. This is much higher than the total cost of complete dentures, which cost between $6,000 and $10,000.
Final Thoughts
When considering full mouth dental implants cost, most people often begin calculating the cost of up to 26 implants. However, as discussed above, it does not work like that when it comes to replacing many or all missing natural teeth. You can either consider dental implants with dental bridges or all-on-4 implants.
Although the overall cost of such implants may be higher than other traditional teeth replacement techniques, like dentures, they provide a long-lasting solution. Moreover, full mouth implants look and function just like your natural teeth, if not better.
Be sure to inquire from your dentist if you are an ideal candidate for these implants and reach out to your dental insurer to determine if you are eligible for coverage.
Sources
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