If you have lost all of your bottom teeth, you might be wondering if dental implants are a possibility for you.  Read on to find out more.

Could dental implants work for you?

Your suitability for any form of dental implants will depend on your general health and the condition of your jawbone into which the implants will be placed.  Some conditions may mean that you are unsuitable for implants because the damage they cause may prevent the implant from successfully fusing to your jawbone.  Such conditions include:

  • uncontrolled diabetes
  • cancer
  • alcoholism
  • radiation treatment to the jaw
  • smoking
  • uncontrolled gum disease

If you've lost all of your lower teeth, you won't be able to have each individual tooth replaced with an implant.  However, a removable implant-supported tooth replacement might be an option, especially in cases where trauma has caused the damage.

Your dental surgeon will take a full medical history from you, together with a detailed assessment of your mouth and jaw health.  You may also require X-rays and CT scans, and the dentist might also make models of your mouth and your bite, all of which will help them to decide whether implants might be a possibility for you.

What is removable implant-supported tooth replacement?

Where all of your lower teeth are missing, you may be a candidate for removable implant-supported tooth replacement.

Removable implant-supported tooth replacement involves the dentist placing between two and six titanium screw implants into your lower jaw in order to support a removable denture.  Removable dentures are frequently used in cases where tooth loss is extensive or where bone and gum tissue loss has also occurred, for example following severe trauma.  A removable lower denture can also provide support to the lower part of your face, cheeks and lips, preventing the sunken look that can occur where all of the teeth are lost.

The denture will be designed with special attachments that allow you to clip or snap it into place on the implants.  Alternatively, a custom-made milled bar can be made to provide extra strength and support for the jaw restoration if required.   The design of the fitting will depend on the density of your remaining jawbone and the number of implants that the dentist has been able to use.  The denture will be matched as closely as possible to the colour and look of your upper teeth and has the advantage that you can remove it in order to clean the implants thoroughly.

In conclusion

If you have lost all your lower teeth due to disease or through facial trauma, you may still be able to have a natural-looking smile thanks to removable implant-supported tooth replacement.

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