Having a mouthful of healthy teeth is important for your smile and confidence; it’s also important for your nutrition, speech, and overall health. If you’re one of the 36 million Americans missing all of their natural teeth, you can wind up with severe difficulties that can take a toll on your physical health, your emotional wellness, and your overall quality of life.
As a leading oral and maxillofacial surgery practice in Oakland, California, Pacific Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Center specializes in state-of-the-art arch restoration treatments aimed at repairing and restoring your oral health.
In this post, Brandon Kang, DDS, explains what arch restoration entails and who is a good candidate for this innovative procedure.
When we hear the word “arch” in relation to our bodies, we might tend to think of the arches that support our feet. But arch can also refer to our teeth — specifically, the row of upper teeth (upper arch) or the row of bottom teeth (bottom or lower arch).
When you lose multiple teeth on one or both arches, your bite balance can shift dramatically. As a result, you can have problems eating and speaking, your smile and confidence suffer, and your facial shape can change.
People with multiple missing teeth may be more prone to nutritional deficiencies and additional oral health problems, including temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder and chronic facial pain and headaches. Changes in your smile and facial shape may lead you to avoid social activities, resulting in feelings of isolation and depression.
Arch restoration addresses multiple missing teeth with dental implants. In a full-arch restoration, Dr. Kang places multiple implant posts in your jawbone, and then attaches a denture featuring multiple artificial teeth or crowns. The implants hold the denture in place for greater comfort and security, better function, and a more natural appearance compared to a traditional denture.
Full-arch restorations are ideal for most patients who are missing all or most of their natural teeth. That includes people who have lost their teeth due to decay, gum disease, or other causes. In fact, Dr. Kang can extract any remaining teeth and place your implants all in the same office visit.
In addition, full-arch restoration can be a great alternative for anyone who is already wearing full dentures. Attached to implants embedded in your jawbone, full-mouth restorations are simply more comfortable and more secure than traditional dentures, and they’re easier to care for.
To be a candidate for implants, your jaw needs to be healthy enough to support the posts and the attached denture.
If your jawbone has atrophied (thinned out) over the years, Dr. Kang performs bone grafts using healthy bone tissue to supplement your natural jawbone. These grafts fuse with your bone over time, providing strong, secure support for your restorations.
Using the most advanced techniques and technology, you can have your teeth extracted and receive your implants in the same day, restoring your smile, oral function, and confidence. To learn more about full-arch restoration, book an appointment with Dr. Kang online or over the phone today.
