What is Full Mouth Reconstruction

Oral diseases affect nearly 3.5 billion people throughout the world. Meanwhile, about 20% of people suffer from trauma to their teeth at some point in their lives. If you’ve sustained serious damage, you might require full-mouth reconstruction.

What exactly does full-mouth restoration entail? Who needs it? Keep reading to find out.

After reading this guide, you could discover a way to improve the health, appearance, and functionality of your teeth. Read on to learn everything you need to know about full-mouth reconstruction today.

What is Full-Mouth Restoration?

First, let’s answer the question that’s likely on your mind: what is full-mouth reconstruction, exactly?

As the name implies, this procedure involves rebuilding and/or replacing almost all of the teeth in your mouth. This procedure uses restorative dentistry to improve your ability to chew and smile with a full set of teeth. Restoration can involve both general and cosmetic dentistry.

After the procedure, you can use your teeth as you normally would.

Usually, the procedure involves more than one cosmetic dental procedure, though. For example, an appointment might involve rebuilding through:

Dental crowns
Fillings
Dental bridges
Dental implants
Tooth extractions
Veneers

These are only a few dental services your dentist might suggest. The procedures you’ll need will vary based on your current oral health.

In addition to these procedures for your teeth, your dentist might need to repair your gums as well. Improving the state of your gums can benefit your oral health as a whole.

Otherwise, you could develop gum disease over time. Nearly 9% of adults ages 20 to 64 develop periodontal disease.

Ideal Candidates

It helps to know whether or not you’re an ideal candidate for full-mouth reconstruction. Usually, dentists recommend this procedure for patients who have:

Suffered severe trauma to their oral cavity
Developed a serious infection to the oral cavity
Suffered from a disease to the oral cavity
Multiple missing teeth
Cracked or broken teeth
Teeth that are badly worn down due to bruxism
Multiple teeth with large fillings that are failing
Teeth that are exhibiting decay

Some patients are born with conditions that require extensive restoration of their teeth, too. These patients include people with:

Ectodermal dysplasia
Amelogenesis
Dentinogenesis imperfecta

Some treatment options for oral cancer can require patients to undergo full-mouth reconstruction, too. The procedure involves replacing missing teeth and restoring the missing structures of their oral cavities.

Your dentist will use a mix of different treatments to restore your smile, including onlays, implants, and/or dentures.

Full-mouth restoration ensures a comprehensive approach to your oral care.

The Consultation Appointment

If you think you’re a potential candidate for full-mouth reconstruction, consider scheduling a consultation appointment with a dentist. They can complete a physical exam to determine if you’re an ideal candidate. If they believe you need extensive dental procedures, they might recommend restoration.

The comprehensive oral, neck, and head examination will allow the dentist to determine the extent of your oral health issues. They can determine which treatments you might need, too. Your dentist will need to consider the:

Condition of your remaining teeth
Appearance of your remaining teeth
Bite alignment
State of your gums

During your consultation appointment, you and your dentist will discuss your primary oral health concerns. You can also discuss your main treatment goals.

Your dentist will help you develop realistic expectations regarding your treatment. For example, they can help you understand ideal results. They can help you develop a treatment timeline, too.

During your consultation appointment, your dentist will need to assess your dental and overall health. For example, they might ask questions regarding your:

Medications
Lifestyle factors (like smoking and drinking habits)
Medical history
Pre-existing medical conditions

Let your dentist know if you have dental anxiety or other pre-existing problems. These factors might make a dental procedure more difficult. Your dentist might determine you’ll require sedation during each procedure.

Records and Impressions

Once your dentist completes the visual exam, they’ll need to take records of your oral cavity. They might need:

X-ray scans
Images
Impressions of your teeth

Intraoral pictures of your oral cavity and X-rays can help the dentist review the areas that require treatment. They might take pictures of your teeth as well. These images will work as a reference point throughout each procedure.

Designing Your Smile

Next, your dentist will create a digital design of the current position of your teeth. They’ll determine the expected position for your teeth after treatment, too. Your dentist can create a 3D model using digital scanning technology, too.

The model can help you see how your prosthetics and dental restoration might look. You can also give the dentist feedback about the mockup. Then, your dentist will make adjustments to help accomplish your treatment goals.

Developing Your Treatment Plan

Once your dentist has gathered the necessary information and develops the model, you can discuss your treatment plan. You’ll consider which procedures and treatments can help you achieve the best possible dental health.

These procedures might include:

TMJ treatment
Orthodontic treatment
Root canal therapy
Removal of infected or damaged treat
Periodontal treatment
Corrective jaw surgery
Placement of implant-supported dentures
Dental implants
Placement of crowns
Veneers

You can ask your dentist for an estimated cost for the entire reconstruction or on a by-procedure basis.

Reconstruction

Your full-mouth reconstruction will need to occur through different stages. You’ll need to schedule multiple appointments at your doctor’s office. It’s likely you’ll spread these appointments over the span of a few months.

You can work with your dentist to develop a realistic deadline.

You’ll need to heal from some procedures, like dental implant placement, before the final restoration.