Your Guide to Full Mouth Reconstruction

by | Oct 16, 2021 | Restorative Dentistry

Full mouth reconstruction guide

Restore your smile to its healthiest state.

A healthy smile is invaluable. When your teeth and gums look and feel their best, it improves your quality of life, boosts your confidence, and lets you enjoy everyday activities with ease. If your teeth are severely damaged or decayed, your dentist may recommend a full mouth reconstruction. This is a restorative dental treatment plan that improves the form and function of all of your teeth. The result is a beautiful smile that looks as great as it feels.

What is a full mouth reconstruction?

A full mouth reconstruction is a comprehensive treatment plan made up of procedures designed to repair chronic dental issues within your whole mouth. In some cases, this procedure is used to restore a patient’s gums, jaw, and overall mouth structure. In addition to restoring your oral health, it improves the cosmetic appearance of your teeth.

A full mouth reconstruction includes different dental procedures, all performed in conjunction with one another. Designed to restore, rebuild, or replace your affected teeth, these treatments can include both general and restorative dentistry procedures, such as:

  • Dental crowns and onlays
  • Dental bridges
  • Dental implants
  • Implant-supported dentures

Your dentist works with you to determine the exact procedures for your customized plan. The specific prosthetics needed depend on what dental issues your dentist is treating.

What kind of issues does a full mouth reconstruction treat?

A full mouth reconstruction is best suited for someone who has multiple teeth affected by severe trauma or decay. A few of the most common issues that can require this type of restorative dental treatment include:

These kinds of dental problems can do more than alter the appearance of your smile. They can also make simple tasks like chewing, drinking, and speaking more difficult. Over time they can even alter the shape of your face and the structure of your jawbone.

That’s why it’s important to correct them as soon as possible. If the issue is isolated to one or two teeth, then a full mouth reconstruction may not be necessary. For instance, your dentist may recommend a dental bridge to replace a missing tooth, but nothing more.

However, if the issues are more widespread, then you may need a more comprehensive treatment plan that addresses the function and aesthetic of your entire mouth. This is where a full mouth reconstruction comes in. Often this approach is faster and more cost-effective than scheduling several different surgeries to address multiple issues.

What Kind of Patients Can Benefit From This Treatment?

Anyone suffering from multiple dental issues may be a candidate for a full mouth reconstruction. This includes people who:

  • Can’t eat properly due to missing or misaligned teeth
  • Have speech issues due to bite misalignment
  • Want to improve the appearance of their smile due to misalignment, severe decay, or tooth loss
  • Suffer from temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain in their jaw and need to correct their bite
  • Want to move away from traditional removable dentures

Your dentist will perform a detailed evaluation to fully understand all your dental issues and form appropriate treatment options. Then you will work together to craft a treatment plan that is tailored specifically to your unique needs, goals, and preferences.

Dr. May uses advanced dental technology to evaluate your teeth, gums, and jawbone. The treatments proposed will help you meet your goal of a long-lasting, healthy smile!

Different Treatment Options Available

At Metro East Dental Care, we offer a range of restorative dental treatments. Your dentist will perform one or more of these during your full mouth reconstruction. You can read all about these treatments on our Restorative Dentistry page, and high-level overviews are provided below.

Dental Crowns and Onlays

Dental crowns and onlays are often used to help repair and restore teeth that are broken, damaged, or severely decayed. Designed to treat a single tooth, they restore areas of decay that are too involved for a simple filling or inlay.

Dental Bridges

If you have a single missing tooth, a bridge can fill in that gap. A bridge usually consists of two dental crowns on either side of the missing tooth that work to support the prosthetic tooth in the center.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are designed to replace the root of one or more missing teeth. With this treatment, your dentist surgically places a small, titanium post in the area where your tooth once was. Once the post fuses with your jawbone, a custom crown, bridge, or denture is placed on top.

The prosthetic tooth is held in place on the post via a special attachment piece called an abutment.

Implant-Supported Dentures

Implant-supported dentures are available as a removable or fixed restoration. Designed to replace an entire arch of teeth, this is a set of natural-looking, prosthetic teeth supported by up to eight implants.

The Role of Dental Technology

Full mouth reconstructions would not be possible without advanced dental technology at every turn. This includes your initial evaluation, where Dr. May uses sophisticated imaging techniques to thoroughly evaluate your teeth and gums.

In addition, our office employs the latest dental technologies in the field of restorative dentistry, including sophisticated implant design techniques. We use these tools to provide restorations that are realistic, functional, and beautiful.

Restore your healthy, natural smile.

If you suffer from dental issues, then you know that they can affect every part of your day. Your mouth nourishes your body, helps you communicate with others, and flashes your signature smile.

You can reclaim and restore those abilities with a full mouth reconstruction. If you would like to learn more about this all-in-one treatment, feel free to schedule a consultation with Dr. May today!