What is a Full Mouth Reconstruction?
Whilst most of us make every effort to take care of our teeth in order to retain them and good oral health for as long as possible, some degree of dental decay or damage can still occur. Unfortunately, when this happens, many people put off visiting their dentist because they are worried about the treatment that they might need and the costs that they could incur. The trouble is that one dental issue that is left untreated inevitably leads to others, and this can mean that before too long, your teeth are significantly adversely affected, to the point whereby a combination of treatments and procedures would be required to restore your teeth and your oral health. It is at this stage that you might be referred for something that is known as a full mouth reconstruction.
Full Mouth Reconstruction: An Overview
A full mouth reconstruction is a term used to describe a combination of dental procedures that are designed to restore the function and appearance of the teeth. Every full mouth reconstruction is different and based on the individual needs of each patient. When you attend your consultation, your dentist will explain to you which procedures you will need and in what order they will need to be performed. Depending on your treatment plan, your procedures may be performed by a range of dental specialists, including hygienists, periodontists, endodontists, and oral surgeons.
They will also be able to inform you of the expected timescale of the treatment plan and may be able to give you an indication of what you can expect your teeth to look like at the end of your full mouth reconstruction.
Full Mouth Reconstruction: Am I a good candidate?
You will need to have a consultation with your dentist who will examine your teeth and may take additional assessments such as x-rays of your teeth in order to decide if you are a good candidate for a full mouth reconstruction and, if so, what treatments will be most effective at restoring your oral health and function, and the appearance of your teeth. In most cases, those patients who are good candidates for a full mouth reconstruction will have dental issues including:
- Extensive decay
- Moderate to severe gum disease
- Eroded/undersized teeth
- Extensive damage to the teeth, mouth or jaw after injury or illness
- Severe misalignment issues
- Significantly misaligned bite (the way that your teeth come together when your jaw is closed)
- Problems with the temporomandibular joints (the joints that connect your lower jaw to your skull)
Full Mouth Reconstruction: Typical Procedures
There is a wide range of functional and cosmetic dental procedures that could be potentially included in a full mouth reconstruction.
- Cavity fillings
- Dental bridges
- Dental crowns
- Dental bonding
- Dentures
- Inlays or Onlays
- Periodontal treatments including scaling and root planing and cleaning of the periodontal pockets
- Teeth whitening
- Dental implants
- Professional cleaning
- Orthodontic treatment such as clear aligners or braces
- Root canal treatment
- Gum reshaping
- Bone grafting
- Soft tissue grafting
- Surgery on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
For more information about the various procedures that could be included in a full mouth reconstruction, or to schedule a consultation to discuss your candidacy for this treatment program, please contact our dental office today.
