Full jaw implants use multiple implants to support a fixed new set of teeth.
Full Jaw Implant Bridges: Your Complete Guide
People who decide to have their entire set of teeth replaced don’t simply focus on how they will look afterward. Most of the time, it is about regaining a lifestyle and happiness that they haven’t experienced for a long time. Once you have lost several teeth or are merely managing to use very old and worn-out dentures, your environment becomes limited. Your food choices will be fewer as you will love to eat less, and you will tend to smile less when taking photos.
The truth is that the field of dentistry has progressed so much that it can hardly be compared with the “teeth in a glass” days.At Lema Dental Clinic, Turkey, our expertise is full jaw implant bridges—a permanent, advanced option that closely resembles the biology and function of natural teeth.
The Foundation: Why a Bridge Must Have an Anchor
Think of the jawbone as the base of a very old house. If a house has a poor foundation, the walls will eventually crack or shift. Bone begins to wear away or “resorb” after tooth loss simply because there is no root left to stimulate it.
Professor Doctor Coşkun Yıldız frequently mentions that the secret behind an implant bridge is not just the porcelain you see on top, but the titanium posts underneath. These posts are like real roots which keep the bone strong by sending it a signal.
The Engineering of a Full Jaw Bridge
While individual implants for each tooth would be very invasive and not necessary, a full jaw bridge is supported by 4 to 6 implants placed in the jaw in the best possible positions. These supports are strong enough to carry a single continuous bridge that covers the entire arch. It is similar to constructing a bridge that is supported by a few very good pillars as opposed to trying to hold balance with many little sticks.
What Happens in the Clinic?
Of course, at the Lema Dental Clinic you are neither a chart nor a number. However, Dr. Polen Akkılıç and her team start with a thorough examination of your oral anatomy using 3D bone scanning.
- The Digital Blueprint: We pinpoint the exact location of the densest bone. This way the implants are guaranteed to have enough ‘traction’.
- Placement Day: With sedation or local anesthesia, the titanium posts are set in place.
- The Healing Phase: This is the time when your body takes control. Your bone actually fuses with the titanium or in other words your bone grows into the titanium—a process which is termed as osseointegration.
- The Final Reveal: Your tailor-made bridge, perfectly matching your facial features and the shade you wanted, is permanently attached after the healing period.
Comparing Your Restoration Options
Choosing the right path can feel overwhelming. Here is how full jaw bridges compare to other common solutions we provide in Istanbul.
| Feature | Removable Dentures | All-on-4/6 Implant Bridges | Individual Implants |
| Stability | Low (can slip) | Very High (Fixed) | Very High |
| Bone Preservation | None | Excellent | Excellent |
| Palate Coverage | Covers the roof of the mouth | Open Palate (Natural feel) | No coverage |
| Maintenance | Nightly removal | Brush like natural teeth | Brush like natural teeth |
| Treatment Time | Fast | Moderate | Long |
Why Choose Turkey for Your Smile Makeover?
So why go to Istanbul for the same thing? Of course, there are the advantages of pricing that one can hardly ignore, but the clinical expertise at Lema Dental Clinic is internationally recognized. We operate with the most advanced European dental technologies, but the level of personalized care that you get here is something you rarely encounter even in major Western hospitals.
Dr. Polen Akkılıç stresses that “Turkey has become a worldwide center because we can combine the capacity to handle high volume with the craftsmanship of dental labs.” In fact, you are receiving a medical procedure and, at the same time, a bespoke smile created by the masters in the field.
‘Eggshell’ Level Precise
Sometimes, the patients may have very thin bones that are close to the sinuses. In such cases, we do “sinus lifts”. The same care that you would use when taking the shell off a boiled egg is how gently we handle the sinus membrane. This level of care allows us to provide full jaw bridges even to those patients who have been refused elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
“Based on our clinical experience, most patients have rated the level of pain to be a lot less than an extraction. We make use of advanced local anesthesia and, if you are scared, sedation. Nearly all our guests are enjoying the day outside in Istanbul the very next morning.” – Dentist Polen Akkılıç.
“If you treat your bridge as if it were your natural teeth—regular brushing and professional cleanings—titanium implants can last the whole lifetime. The bridge is very strong and designed to be able to endure the same pressure as natural enamel.” – Professor Doctor Coşkun Yıldız.
“Definitely. That is the main objective. After the healing stage, you will be able to eat steak, apples, and nuts without worrying about your teeth moving or clicking.”
Generally, two appointments for the procedure are normal.The first appointment is commonly the implant placement time (around 5-7 days) whereas the final bridge.
It is not detachable. You brush it just like your natural teeth. Using a water flosser (Waterpik) is also a good way to make sure the space between the bridge and the gumline is very clean.
- Adell, R., Lekholm, U., Rockler, B., & Brånemark, P. I. (1981). A 15-year study of osseointegrated implants in the treatment of the edentulous jaw. International Journal of Oral Surgery.
- Malo, P., de Araújo Nobre, M., Lopes, A., Moss, S. M., & Molina, G. J. (2011). “All-on-4” immediate-function concept for completely edentulous maxillae: A clinical report on the medium (3 years) and long-term (5 years) outcomes. Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research.
- Pjetursson, B. E., & Lang, N. P. (2008). Prosthetic treatment planning based on scientific evidence. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation.
- Zitzmann, N. U., & Marinello, C. P. (1999). Treatment outcomes of fixed implant-supported prostheses in the edentulous maxilla. The International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants.
- Branemark, P. I. (1983). Osseointegration and its experimental background. The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry.
