Full Mouth Reconstruction—What Is It and Who Needs It?

Full mouth reconstruction, alternatively referred to as full mouth rehabilitation, is a comprehensive undertaking that seeks to reinstate a patient’s mouth’s normal function and appearance. You may require full mouth rehabilitation if you’ve experienced extensive decay, severe periodontal disease, or traumatic injury that has left you with significant dental problems.

Undergoing reconstruction allows you to have full use of your teeth while also boosting your appearance and self-confidence.

If you’re struggling with extensive dental problems, get in touch with Marshfield Dental Group today to choose from a wide range of mouth reconstruction services.

Full Mouth Reconstruction vs. Smile Makeover

Many people often confuse full mouth reconstruction with smile makeovers and even use the terms interchangeably. While both procedures are performed to improve a patient’s oral well-being, there’s a marked difference between full mouth reconstruction and smile makeovers.

Smile makeovers focus on improving a smile’s cosmetic or aesthetic appeal. A full mouth reconstruction combines restorative and cosmetic dental procedures to alleviate numerous functional and cosmetic dental issues.

Typically, smile makeovers are optional. For example, you may choose to undergo or not undergo a tooth whitening treatment, as your teeth can still work when they’re stained. In contrast, full mouth reconstruction procedures are necessary and required to enable normal functioning.

Full Mouth Reconstruction Procedures

The type and amount of full mouth reconstruction procedures depend on the patient’s unique needs. The more extensive and significant the dental problems, the higher the likelihood of requiring many dental procedures. The length of treatment time is also proportional to the severity of the dental issues.

Some of the procedures included in full mouth rehabilitation include:

• Bone grafting. Bone grafting rebuilds lost bone, thus allowing the placement of dental implants.
• If your teeth are misaligned, the dentist may need to realign them a part of the reconstruction process.
• Deep cleanings, or scaling and root planing. These procedures are typically required for periodontal patients. Scaling eliminates harmful plaque and bacteria, while scaling facilitates the reattachment of gums to the tooth roots.
• Dental bridges, crowns and dentures. If you’re missing some teeth, your dentist may recommend getting appropriate restorations to seal the gaps in your smile.
• Dental implants. Implants offer excellent and lasting support for various dental restorations.
• Teeth whitening. Do you have stained teeth? The dentist may recommend teeth whitening.
• Dental veneers. Veneers improve a smile’s appearance by concealing stained, misaligned, broken, and chipped teeth.
• Dental bonding. This involves the application of tooth-colored composite resin to broken, chipped, discolored, or misshapen teeth.
• Gum contouring. Gummy smiles or receding gums may require gentle reshaping through gum contouring procedures.
• Oral surgery. In severe cases of gum disease, tooth decay, injury, or congenital issues, oral surgery may be required to restore your smile.
• Dental fillings. Fillings restore chipped and decayed teeth.

This list of dental procedures isn’t exhaustive. Your dentist determines what goes into the full mouth rehabilitation treatment plan after evaluating you comprehensively.

The Patient Experience

Full mouth rehabilitation procedures are preceded by comprehensive assessments and careful planning. To determine if you’re well suited for mouth reconstruction, the dentist undertakes a thorough evaluation using various dental tools and techniques. The dentist then creates a tailored treatment plan that takes into account your unique needs and appropriate dental procedures.

Over several weeks or months, the dentist performs the dental procedures as required. After each treatment, you’ll be allowed as much healing and recovery downtime as you need before the dentist moves on to the subsequent treatment on your treatment plan.

While every full mouth restoration undertaking is unique, the outcome is the same: a brand new, improved, and fully functioning smile.

How to Prepare

If you’ve been cleared for full mouth restoration, you’re probably wondering what you should do in advance. As earlier stated, every reconstruction is different. As such, the best person to advise you regarding pre-treatment steps is your dentist. Also, the amount of preparation depends on the dental procedure at hand. For example, dental fillings don’t require as much preparation as oral surgery.

Ultimately, it’s always best to ensure you share your concerns with your dentist so that you can get advised appropriately.

If you’re living with significant dental damage and are ready for a smile transformation, please contact Marshfield Dental Group to enjoy comprehensive mouth reconstruction services.