Full mouth reconstruction also known as full mouth restoration is a comprehensive approach for people who are looking to restore both the function and aesthetic of the smile. There are several procedures that can make this possible for you including dental implants, dental crowns, bridges, and also veneers.
Finding the right treatment for you won’t be easy and that’s why we are here to help you. In this blog post, we will discuss what full mouth restoration means, what procedures are included, the benefits of these procedures, and how to choose the one suitable for you.
What Is Full Mouth Restoration?
Full-mouth restoration, commonly referred to as full-mouth reconstruction, is a comprehensive dental treatment that aims to restore and rebuild the entire set of teeth in both the upper and lower jaws. Each procedure involved in this treatment is designed to improve the function, health, and appearance of the mouth.
Depending on the patient’s specific needs, the treatment may involve a range of procedures, including gum surgery, veneers, dentures, crowns, bridges, dental implants, and more. To guarantee a successful result, the procedure may involve several dental specialists, including prosthodontists, periodontists, endodontists, and orthodontists.
You may associate this procedure with the term ”smile makeover” which are the same but serve different purposes. Usually, a smile makeover refers to a cosmetic procedure that should be done by cosmetic dentists. This includes procedures like teeth whitening, dental veneers, or orthodontic treatment.
Restorative dentistry, on the other hand, aims to fix dental problems so that your teeth are healthy and functioning. The main purpose of complete reconstruction is to restore your healthy smile, while it can also address certain esthetic issues.
Who Is A Good Candidate For Full Mouth Restoration?
Patients with serious dental problems, such as tooth decay, gum disease, jaw bone loss, biting misalignments, jaw discomfort, and missing teeth, are usually considered suitable candidates for full mouth reconstruction.
In addition to enhancing oral dental health, one of the procedures involved in a full mouth restoration will undoubtedly help the patient regain the confidence to get back to everyday activities such as eating, speaking, and smiling.
If you are dealing with any of these issues then it will be a good idea to consider a full mouth restoration:
- If you are dealing with advanced periodontal disease, gingivitis, or periodontitis.
- If your teeth are severely decayed.
- If you have a lot of infected teeth.
- If you are dealing with a lot of dental problems at the same time that need to be addressed.
- If you have a lot of missing teeth.
- Severely damaged, worn, or broken teeth.
- If you have experienced an accident or trauma that has affected the mouth or jaw.
- Have misalignment issues.
- If you have a temporomandibular joint disorder.
When it comes to patient suitability it is important to understand that not everyone will be suitable for a full mouth restoration. This includes those patients who are dealing with certain medical conditions and those who are not very healthy.
Before opting for any of the above-mentioned procedures, several consultations with dental specialists are necessary. After a thorough examination, the dentist will determine which one of the procedures is most suitable for you.
Benefits Of A Full Mouth Reconstruction
Some of the main benefits that full mouth restoration will provide for you include:
- Since full mouth restoration procedures aim to address multiple dental problems at once, it will provide a lot of benefits to your oral health including reducing the risk of dental problems progressing and improving the overall oral health issues.
- After the full mouth reconstruction, the patient will be able to return back to his normal life. This comprehensive approach not only will improve the appearance but will also make it easier to speak, eat, and smile without worrying.
- Addressing dental issues and improving the appearance of the teeth will make people look and feel a lot better about themselves. Additionally, this will boost the patient’s self-confidence and self-esteem.
- It is quite common for dental problems to cause pain and sometimes this pain will only be reduced with the help of restorative procedures. After the treatment, you will have a full set of teeth, no pain, and overall comfort.
- One of the main benefits of restorative procedures is their long-lasting results. If the patient properly takes care of their new teeth they will last as long as 15 or more years.
Procedures Involved In A Full Mouth Reconstruction
The particular kind of procedure required for a whole mouth reconstruction will be decided based on the needs of the patient and the severity of their dental issues. Following your appointment, the dentist will develop a thorough treatment plan that meets your requirements and provides the best outcomes for you.
Dental Implants
One of the most commonly used procedures for full-mouth restoration is dental implants. This treatment addresses various issues, both aesthetic and functional. Dental implants provide a life-changing, long-lasting solution for individuals missing one or more teeth due to a variety of reasons.
What Are The Advantages Of Full-Mouth Dental Implants Over Conventional Dentures?
When compared to traditional dentures, dental implants will offer a lot of benefits. Not only will implants look the same as natural teeth but they will also function the same since they replace the whole tooth structure along with the roots.
They are also more comfortable and stable than any other procedure, allowing the patients to return back to their routine and allowing them to bite and chew everything they would like. They dont need to be removed like dentures and are also low maintenance.
This being said, if you have dental implants you dont need to do much more than you normally do with your natural teeth. Unlike dentures, they are implanted in the mouth and don’t move.
The only thing you should do to keep them healthy is to brush and floss twice a day for two minutes. With dentures, you need to remove them every night and soak them in water, which can be annoying.
Additionally, your bone will be better preserved since full-mouth dental implants will replace parts of your tooth roots. When using traditional dentures, the bone that formerly kept the tooth roots in place will start to weaken and deteriorate.
This will result in a collapsed, unattractive smile and regression of the jawline. Dental implants, on the other hand, fuse with your jawbone to support the bone’s health and preserve your natural smile and teeth alignment.
Which Procedure To Choose: All-On-4, All-On-6, All-On-8?
Dental implants come in various types, each utilizing a unique technique. The All-on-4, All-on-6, and All-on-8 implant methods are specifically designed to replace an entire arch of missing teeth.
These techniques range from foundational to highly advanced options for full jaw rehabilitation, offering effective, lasting solutions for patients seeking full-mouth restoration.
All-On-4
Patients who are losing a lot of bone and would rather not deal with the complications of the dental bone grafting procedure are best suited for the All-on-4 Technique. The posterior implants in this technique are angled strategically to make the most out of the existing bone.
This technique eliminates the need for bone grafting and is less intrusive and expensive than other complete dental implant solutions. But compared to other dental implant procedures, it can be less comfortable and slightly less durable.
All-On-6
For patients who have enough bone to directly support six implants or who are candidates for bone grafting to increase bone volume, the All-on-6 Option is an excellent option.
The All-on-6 is a great deal for anyone looking for a combination of cost, comfort, and effectiveness since it improves stability and comfort during chewing by distributing force more evenly.
All-On-8
Because it provides the most stability and the most even distribution of chewing forces throughout the jaw, the All-on-8 System is advised for those with high bone density. This option is the most comprehensive whole-jaw dental implantation solution and is designed for people who want the highest level of functionality and cosmetic results.
Dental Crowns
A dental crown is a tooth-shaped device that is applied to a tooth to enhance both its appearance and its functionality. A dental crown is applied to an existing tooth to improve its size, shape, color, and structure without the need for surgery.
Usually, this procedure will be advised in cases when teeth whitening and veneers won’t be successful and won’t address the issue. With dental crowns, the tooth structure will be grinded down and will be covered by a crown that can be composed of different materials.
Dental Veneers
Porcelain veneers are thin layers of porcelain or composite resin material and will be put on the front surface of teeth to enhance their look and prevent future deterioration. The dentist can create a lovely shade by matching the color of the porcelain veneer to the existing teeth.
To guarantee an appealing fit and long-lasting hold, each veneer will be specifically designed for each tooth.
The Role Of Dental Veneers In Full Mouth Reconstruction
As we mentioned before dental veneers are thin shells composed of porcelain or resin composite that will cover the front surface of the teeth. In most cases, the purpose of this procedure is to improve the appearance of slightly damaged or misaligned teeth.
However, even though dental veneers are mostly associated with cosmetic issues they also play an important role in addressing different dental issues, such as:
- Dental veneers will work great in addressing tooth discoloration.
- Veneers will modify the shape, size and perfectly contour the teeth, and offer a more symmetrical smile. The result will be a perfectly shaped and symmetrical smile.
- Veneers can fill in the gaps and holes between teeth, offering a symmetrical, uniform smile and avoiding the need for orthodontic treatment that can take years.