Edentulism
Edentulism is the complete absence of natural teeth in one or both dental arches. Following tooth loss, alveolar bone resorbs progressively without masticatory stimulation, reducing ridge height and width over time. This atrophy complicates implant-based restoration and alters facial proportions through collapse of the vertical dimension of occlusion.
The Compounding Consequences of Complete Tooth Loss
Losing all natural teeth sets off a cascade of structural changes that extend well beyond the mouth. Without root stimulation to signal bone maintenance, the alveolar ridge shrinks at a rate of approximately one millimetre per year in height, and the facial lower third collapses inward as vertical dimension decreases. Conventional dentures mask the visible tooth loss but do nothing to halt this bone resorption, so patients who have worn removable prostheses for a decade or more often present with severely atrophied ridges by the time they consider implant-supported restoration.
Vellum Select's Istanbul implant specialists restore complete dentitions through fixed, implant-supported prosthetics, combining bone augmentation where needed with same-day or short-protocol loading, at costs 60 to 70 per cent below equivalent treatment in the UK, Germany, or the Netherlands.
Treatment Options for Edentulism
View All ProceduresFull Mouth Restoration in Turkey
Full mouth restoration (also called full mouth rehabilitation or reconstruction) is a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses every tooth in both the upper and lower arches. It is not a single procedure but a coordinated sequence of treatments (implants, crowns, bridges, veneers, bone grafting, and bite reconstruction) designed to restore complete dental function, aesthetics, and structural integrity.
arrow_forwardBone Grafting & Sinus Lift in Turkey
Bone grafting and sinus lift surgery rebuild lost jawbone volume that has atrophied following tooth loss, periodontal disease, or trauma. When the posterior maxilla lacks sufficient bone height to accommodate dental implants because the maxillary sinus has expanded downward (pneumatisation), a sinus lift elevates the sinus membrane and grafts bone underneath it. Ridge augmentation grafts restore width and height to the mandible or anterior maxilla.
arrow_forwardSymptoms of Edentulism
Beyond the obvious absence of teeth, edentulism produces a recognisable constellation of functional and anatomical changes. Masticatory efficiency drops sharply, restricting patients to soft foods and compromising nutrition over time. Speech is affected as the tongue and lips lose their dental reference points. Facial appearance changes as the lips lose support and the lower face takes on a collapsed appearance with exaggerated nasolabial folds. Psychosocial consequences including social withdrawal and reduced quality of life are well-documented in the dental literature on edentulous patients.
Diagnostic Pathways
CBCT three-dimensional imaging maps residual bone volume in all three dimensions, identifying the quantity and quality of bone available for implant placement. Ridge width, height, and bone density are measured at planned implant sites, and proximity to anatomical structures including the maxillary sinus and inferior alveolar nerve is assessed. Where bone volume is insufficient for standard-length implants, the imaging determines whether bone grafting or sinus augmentation is required before implant placement can proceed.
Advanced Treatment Options at Vellum Select
Vellum Select's Istanbul implant centres provide fixed, implant-supported solutions for complete tooth loss, eliminating the instability and bone-loss acceleration associated with conventional removable dentures.
Full Mouth Restoration
All-on-4 and All-on-6 implant protocols support a full-arch fixed prosthesis on four to six strategically positioned implants, often enabling same-day loading without the need for bone grafting. The result is a permanent, non-removable dentition that stimulates bone and restores full masticatory function. Learn more about Full Mouth Restoration in Turkey.
Bone Grafting and Sinus Lift
Where ridge atrophy is severe or the maxillary sinus has pneumatised into the planned implant zone, bone augmentation restores the volume needed for optimal implant positioning and long-term stability. Learn more about Bone Grafting and Sinus Lift in Turkey.