Bellevue Prosthodontist

Having tooth pains? Issues with discoloration and weakening of your teeth? Or are you suffering from a genetic disorder that causes your teeth and mouth to be warped?

These kinds of issues can be quite common, or uncommon, depending on how long the issues go on for. Complications such as root decay through the teeth, as well as gum disease or cancer, can all warrant a need for drastic measures to be taken. If you are on the dire side of the spectrum with these complications, you may have been recommended a full mouth reconstruction at some point.

But, what is a full mouth reconstruction? Will you be completely immobile for months? And is it right for you? These questions and more we will answer for you, and help to give some clarity to what exactly a full mouth reconstruction can do for you.

What is Full Mouth Reconstruction?

Full mouth reconstruction is the act of rebuilding and replacing the teeth within a patient’s mouth. This is usually done by replacing all of the teeth for various reasons. From dental rot and decay to cancer or hereditary issues, a full mouth reconstruction may be necessary to save what is left of the mouth in a healthy state.

What does it help treat?

Full mouth reconstruction can help treat a number of symptoms and issues. The most common issues are short-term complications that have been left unattended, thus increasing the damage done. Issues such as decay, broken or chipped teeth, or badly worn-down teeth due to habitual bruxing can all be considered short term complications.

Reconstruction of the mouth can also be done to help fix long-term and hereditary issues that may be plaguing you. Things like excessive and long-term decay within the teeth can be considered for full mouth reconstruction. Along those same lines, tooth and gum cancer may also be appropriate reasons.

Hereditary conditions can be a major factor in whether or not to attempt such a surgery. Ectodermal Dysplasia is one such condition. This condition can be seen through the development of a child, with signs being that they do not have properly developing teeth, or that they are missing teeth. In that same instance, Dentinogenesis imperfecta can also be a cause for a full mouth reconstruction. This genetic disorder causes teeth to be discolored when forming, and gives an almost opalescent sheen to them. Other symptoms of DI are smaller teeth through the growth cycle, as well as being prone to easy breakage, rapid wear and tear, and losing teeth quickly.

Are all Full Mouth Reconstructions the same?

Not at all. Full mouth reconstructions are not all lumped together. Because the process and road to getting a full mouth reconstruction differs from patient to patient, the actual procedure itself can differ slightly.

For example, a reconstruction needed for tooth decay through the teeth may simply be going in and working on each tooth individually to safeguard the teeth from becoming any more disfigured and weak. This can be done through the usage of crowns, caps, and teeth replacements.

However, for genetic issues such as ED and DI, both may require a heavier workload. Instead of simply pulling the teeth, they may look to work within the gums, attempting to find the source of the infection or root cause that they may be able to stopper through the use of dental implants. They may also deem it necessary to cut out part of the gum, which would also affect the teeth, causing a need for either replacements or bridges and dental veneers.

There are various ways that a dental reconstruction of the mouth may be implemented. These all vary depending on the issues and complications that the dentist or prosthodontist finds within the regular check-ups.

How long is the recovery period?

The recovery period for a full mouth reconstruction can vary heavily depending on what is being done at that time. Some full mouth reconstruction roads can be a bit more fraught, with multiple scheduled visits being needed.

In an instance of one such surgery for recovering after dental implants, the entire process starts with osseointegration. Osseointegration is the process of affixing the implant posts into the natural bone tissue, which can take upwards of three to six months to fully heal. Only once those have been placed can the actual procedure be done for full mouth reconstruction for dental implants.

However, there are some recovery periods that are much shorter. If you are going in for custom restorations to all of your teeth, you may be only bedridden for approximately a week or less. Since this type of procedure is relatively calmer, it doesn’t require as much strain, leading to less aftercare necessary before a full recovery.

Is Full Mouth Reconstruction right for me?

Whether or not you feel like full mouth reconstruction is the right choice for recovery, it is always important to understand that you should be consulting and conferring with an experienced and knowledgeable dentist and surgeon about the procedure. Your care can differ heavily than a previous patient that you heard from, and you may not even need the reconstruction in the first place.

As such, it is highly advisable to first sit down with Boise Dentist and discuss the recovery path for you and your chronic issues. Going through the beginning steps of getting a proper checkup, as well as a regular appointment, will help to mitigate some of the anxiety you may be having.