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Northwest Oral Surgeons

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Located inside the St. Luke’s building near the local urgent care facility.

Located inside the St. Luke’s building near the urgent care facility.

636-978-6967

Replacing All Upper or Lower Teeth With Dental Implants

Replacing an entire upper or lower arch involves more than choosing dental implants. Patients also need to decide whether the final teeth will be removable or fixed, how they will be cleaned, what temporary teeth will be used, and who will maintain the restoration.
Dr. Maryann L. Udy provides the surgical phase of full-arch treatment and coordinates implant positioning with the restorative dentist. The recommended design is based on the planned prosthesis, available bone, health history, bite, daily hygiene, and long-term maintenance needs.
636-978-6967
Man Pointing To Dental Implants

Removable Implant-Supported Dentures

Implants can improve the retention of a removable denture. Depending on the design, the denture may connect to individual attachments or to a bar that links several implants. You remove the denture for cleaning.

A removable implant-supported denture can offer greater stability than a traditional denture, but it still requires daily care, professional maintenance, and periodic attention to the attachments and denture fit.

Fixed Full-Arch Restorations

A fixed full-arch restoration remains attached to the implants and is removed only by a dental professional. Planning accounts for the number and position of the implants, bite forces, available restorative space, cleaning access, and the appearance of both the teeth and gum-colored materials.

Some patients can receive a fixed temporary restoration during the surgical phase. Others need a removable temporary option or a healing period before teeth are attached. The plan is determined before surgery, but it can be adjusted if implant stability or surgical findings differ from what was expected.

636-978-6967

Planning the Surgical and Restorative Phases Together

The restorative design should be selected before implant placement. Dr. Udy and the restorative dentist then coordinate implant positions, extractions, grafting, surgical guides, temporary teeth, and the sequence leading to the final prosthesis.

Northwest Oral Surgeons uses CBCT imaging, digital scans, guided planning, and photogrammetry for selected full-arch cases. These tools help the surgical and restorative teams share accurate implant-position information when fabricating the prosthesis.

Daily Care and Long-Term Maintenance

Fixed and removable full-arch restorations require different cleaning routines. Before choosing a design, ask how to clean under or around the prosthesis, what professional maintenance is required, and how repairs or attachment replacement are handled.
Also discuss dexterity, caregiver support, smoking or nicotine use, teeth grinding, and the ability to attend follow-up visits. A restoration that can be cleaned and maintained consistently is an important part of the long-term plan.

Questions to Answer Before Choosing a Full-Arch Design

Ask whether the temporary and final teeth will be fixed or removable, how much gum-colored material is expected, and how the design may affect speech, cleaning, and food choices during adaptation. Patients should also know which office will manage repairs, relines, or replacement components.
Before surgery, the treatment team should explain the backup plan if an implant cannot be placed or used as expected. Knowing the temporary and final alternatives helps you make an informed decision and prepare for the healing period.

Frequently Asked Questions About Full-Arch Dental Implants

The number and position depend on the planned restoration, available bone, bite, and surgical findings. Dr. Udy and the restorative dentist will outline the design for your case.
A fixed restoration remains attached and is removed only by a dental professional. You remove a removable overdenture for cleaning.
The temporary option is planned with the restorative dentist. It can be fixed or removable depending on the treatment design and conditions at surgery.
Some patients do, while others can proceed without it. CBCT imaging helps Dr. Udy evaluate the bone available for the planned implant positions.
Your restorative dentist generally manages the prosthesis and routine maintenance, while Northwest Oral Surgeons manages the surgical sites and implant-related surgical concerns.

Explore Full-Arch Implant Options

Call Northwest Oral Surgeons at 636-978-6967 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Udy and begin coordinating the surgical and restorative phases of treatment.
Call: 636-978-6967