Full Arch Rehabilitation
Prepare Your Arch for Dental Implants
In certain circumstances, patients may be recommended by their general dentist to have their remaining teeth removed for various reasons. These may include severe and generalized decay, periodontal disease, or the amount of dental work needed to restore the remaining teeth would be next to impossible.
The options to restore missing teeth include prostheses such as dentures or more stable solutions involving dental implants. Traditional dentures can work well but are known to be unstable and uncomfortable for many people. Dental implants can be used in a variety of ways to stabilize the new teeth. The main options include removable dentures, fixed dentures (hybrids), or fixed crown and bridgework.
Depending on the option that you, your dentist, and your surgeon choose, many times the implants can be used immediately, either that day or the following day, as long as the implants are solid. Although these cases require a significant amount of coordination between yourself, your dentist, your surgeon, and a dental laboratory, they can provide the overall best treatment for a dentition that is failing and restore function and esthetics.
Schedule an Appointment
The entire team at Knoxville Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is committed to making your dental implants last. A sinus lift procedure can be the key to ensuring the success and durability of your implants. If you are considering implants or have been told you might need a bone graft, contact us online or call (865) 240-2977 to learn more about our services.
Testimonials From Our Patients
We are proud to be able to provide our patients with access to first-rate surgical care, cutting-edge procedures, and an overall outstanding experience.
Dr. Emery did a fantastic job in providing tooth extraction and replacement with a dental implant. I had been anxious and he relieved my concerns immediately. He and his team provided a relatively pain-free experience and were available to answer all my questions quickly and professionally. I was so pleased with them that I took my daughter to Dr. Emery for her wisdom teeth extraction. We were both surprised at how well her pain had been managed and she never had to use opioids! If we need oral surgery again, we know where to go! Thank you, Dr. Emery, Dawn, Amanda, Meghan, Hannah, Wendy, and all the others!
- Lea Alexander
Painless procedures and quick recoveries. Couldn’t be more pleased. Highly recommend these oral surgeons.
- Robin Hutchins
Dr. Emery and his staff are so amazing. They really go the extra mile to make you comfortable and Dr. Emery’s bedside manner is like none I’ve ever seen before! He’s one of those doctors you hope you don’t have to go back to, but will be the ONLY one I do go to if it’s ever needed again. My only complaint is that he’s not in general dentistry because i wouldn’t be so terrified to go to a dentist if it was him. Great guy, great staff, great atmosphere!
- Allison Fritz
Awesome Staff, Excellent Doctors, Great Prices! Turned a ‘bad day’ into great experience! Been there twice- almost 2 years apart. Rock solid and highly recommended!
- Max Zimmerman
- Kari Hester
Our Office Locations
We have two office locations in Knoxville, TN.
West Knoxville Location
6207 Highland Pl Way, Ste 207
Knoxville, TN 37919
Directions
Hours: Mon - Fri 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Phone: (865) 584-6207
North Knoxville Location
2939 Essary Dr, Ste 1
Knoxville, TN 37918
Directions
Hours:
Mon - Fri 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Phone: (865) 240-2977
North Knoxville
West Knoxville
Frequently Asked Questions
How many implants does a full arch restoration need?
It depends on your jawbone and the type of teeth you choose. With the All-on-4 technique, a complete arch of fixed teeth is supported by just four implants, with the back two placed at an angle to make the most of the available bone.
Other fixed restorations typically use five to eight implants per arch, and the upper jaw often needs more because its bone is softer than the lower jaw.
What is the difference between a removable implant denture and a fixed hybrid denture?
A removable implant denture snaps onto attachments on the implants. It stays secure while you eat and speak, but you take it out each night to clean it and the implants underneath. It generally requires fewer implants and costs less.
A fixed hybrid denture is screwed onto the implants and can only be removed by your dentist during maintenance visits. Because it never comes out, it feels and functions much more like natural teeth and restores more chewing strength.
What happens between getting temporary teeth and receiving final teeth?
Once the implants are placed and your temporary teeth are attached, the implants need roughly three to six months to fuse with your jawbone. During that time, you wear the temporary set while the surgeon checks your healing at follow-up visits. The temporary teeth also give you and your dentist a chance to evaluate the look, bite, and speech, so any adjustments can be built into the final design.
When healing is complete, your dentist takes impressions and works with a dental laboratory to fabricate your permanent teeth, which are stronger and more refined than the temporaries.
What can I eat with temporary full arch teeth?
Stick to soft foods that need little chewing while your implants heal, such as eggs, yogurt, pasta, fish, soft vegetables, and well-cooked grains. Cut food into small pieces and chew gently. This protects the implants while they integrate with the bone and keeps the temporary teeth, which are usually made of acrylic, from cracking.
Avoid hard, crunchy, and sticky foods until your final teeth are in place, including nuts, raw carrots, chips, tough meats, crusty bread, and caramel. Once your permanent restoration is attached, most patients can return to nearly all of the foods they enjoy.
Can I get full arch implants if I have worn dentures for years?
Yes. Many patients choose full arch rehabilitation after years of struggling with loose or uncomfortable dentures. Because a denture rests on the gums, the jawbone underneath tends to shrink over time, so your surgeon will evaluate how much bone remains before recommending a plan.
If the ridge where your teeth used to be has healed unevenly, an alveoloplasty can smooth and reshape the bone so your new teeth fit securely. Your surgeon and dentist will coordinate each step.