Your Options for a Full Mouth Reconstruction

A full mouth reconstruction is a customized treatment plan for various issues that may be affecting your teeth and oral health. The term full mouth refers to all teeth in the mouth, upper and lower. The reconstruction process restores the health and function of your smile, often involving multiple treatments and procedures. If your teeth are stained or discolored, or have decay, chips, cracks, breakages, or other damage, you may need a full mouth reconstruction.

Why Do I Need a Full Mouth Reconstruction?

Full mouth reconstruction refers to a process wherein a patient receives multiple treatment procedures to fully restore their mouth from a functional and aesthetic standpoint. This means that your dentist will use a combination of treatments to repair your teeth, gums, bite, and even jaw alignment. For some patients, full mouth reconstruction is needed when they’ve suffered from severe tooth decay or oral trauma that has left them with severe damage. In some other cases, you may simply desire to enhance your smile’s appearance with a cosmetic procedure. No matter what your situation is, if your dentist determines that you would benefit from a full mouth reconstruction, they will recommend a treatment plan that is tailored to your specific needs and goals.

In some cases, your treatment plan may be extensive and require several months to complete. However, most patients are able to complete their treatment in about six months to one year. If you have dental insurance, your policy will likely cover at least a portion of the cost of your treatment. Your dentist will go over these details with you during your consultation appointment so that you can understand the financial aspects of your treatment and make an informed decision about your care.

What Are the Steps Involved in a Full Mouth Reconstruction?

Once the treatment plan has been decided on, the surgery can proceed. Having a cosmetic dentist perform your full mouth reconstruction offers many benefits compared to a general dentist. The surgeon is able to focus solely on oral and facial procedures so they can give your smile the attention it deserves. A general dentist may be able to perform many of the procedures needed, but a full mouth reconstruction calls for extensive experience with complex cases.

During the procedure, you will be sedated for maximum comfort. Depending on the extent of the work, you may have multiple surgeries performed over a few months. After the anesthesia wears off, you may experience some discomfort. This can be managed with medication to reduce swelling and pain. You can begin eating soft foods the day after surgery, but you should stick to a diet of liquids and soft foods until you are healed.

If you are missing one or more teeth, your dentist may recommend dental implants. These are metal posts surgically implanted into the jawbone that can eventually be restored with a crown or bridge piece to replace missing teeth. After the implant post has successfully fused with the jawbone, an abutment is placed on the dental implant to connect the crown or bridge to the implant. Dental implants are an excellent tooth replacement option because they are able to last for a long time with good oral care. You should continue seeing the dentist regularly after the implants have been placed. That way, you can ensure they are properly cleaned and maintained.

You may either either need one treatment or more treatments, your dentist can best help determine which ones are good for you.

To learn more habits to improve your oral health, call the Center for Advanced Dentistry or request an appointment online.