Replacing an entire arch of teeth can sound like a pretty big procedure, especially if you’ve been dealing with failing teeth or uncomfortable dentures for years. You might wonder how many implants you’ll need, if your jawbone is strong enough to support them, or how long you’ll have to wait for your new teeth. But full-arch treatment isn’t a single procedure with the same steps for everyone. At Atkins Dental Clinic, we help patients throughout Pope County explore their options for full arch dental implants in Russellville and the surrounding communities. Dr. Aaron Bratton grew up right here in Atkins, attended Arkansas Tech University, and returned home to practice dentistry. Today, his experience with traditional and mini dental implants gives our patients several ways to approach full-arch tooth replacement.
Full-arch treatment has come a long way, and you may have more options than you realize. Even if you’ve worn dentures for years or have been told you don’t have enough bone for traditional implants, your circumstances deserve a closer look. You might even be surprised by what’s possible for your smile.
What Can Full Arch Implants in Russellville Replace?
Losing an entire row of teeth doesn’t always happen at once. You might have lost several teeth over the years, leaving gaps that make chewing difficult. Maybe your remaining teeth are badly damaged and can no longer be saved. Or perhaps you’ve already replaced your teeth with dentures. But the dentures may shift, rub against your gums, or never quite fit right.
Full-arch dental implants can address these situations by supporting a complete set of replacement teeth in the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both. At Atkins Dental Clinic, Dr. Aaron uses strategically placed dental implants to create a secure foundation for several types of full-arch restorations. The implants help prevent the movement that often makes conventional dentures uncomfortable and unreliable.
Depending on your needs, we may recommend an implant-retained denture that snaps securely onto the implants and can be removed at home for cleaning. Another option is a fixed roundhouse bridge, which stays securely attached to the implants and Dr. Aaron removes it only when necessary.
Both approaches replace an entire arch of teeth, but the experience of wearing them is different. Some patients appreciate the convenience of removing their dentures for cleaning, while others prefer a bridge that stays in place.
Am I Eligible for Dental Implants?
If you’ve worn dentures for years, you may have heard that you don’t have enough jawbone for dental implants. There’s a reason bone loss comes up during these conversations. Your natural tooth roots help maintain the surrounding jawbone through the pressure of everyday chewing. Once those roots are gone, the bone gradually loses height and width. Over time, the jaw can become too narrow to accommodate traditional implants without additional procedures.
However, having less bone doesn’t automatically rule out implant treatment. Dr. Aaron often uses mini dental implants to support a range of tooth replacement options. Mini implants are less than 3 millimeters in diameter. They are much smaller than traditional implants, so they often don’t require ample bone for placement. For some patients, we can place mini implants in existing bone where larger implants would not fit without additional preparation like bone grafting.
Mini implant placement is often less invasive, too. Dr. Aaron typically creates a small pilot opening through the gum and into the jawbone, then inserts the implant. This technique often eliminates the need for large incisions or stitches.
Of course, the amount of bone you have is only part of the discussion. Your overall health, the condition of your gums, and the type of full-arch restoration you want also influence your treatment options. We use three-dimensional imaging to examine your jawbone and evaluate where we can place the implants. Even if you’ve previously been told you aren’t a candidate, a closer look may reveal possibilities you haven’t considered!
Explore Full Arch Dental Implants Near Russellville
If you’ve spent years adjusting to missing teeth or uncomfortable denou may have gotten used to working around the problem. But you don’t have to settle for teeth that limit what you can enjoy in life. Dr. Aaron and our team welcome patients from Russellville and throughout Pope County who want to explore a more stable, comfortable way to replace their teeth.
During your free implant consultation, we’ll take a closer look at your dental health and explain which full-arch options may be possible for you. Contact Atkins Dental Clinic today to schedule your free consultation. You may have more options than you think!
