Full Mouth Reconstruction

As your smile is one of the first things people notice about you, the importance of healthy teeth and dentition cannot be overemphasized. An excellent dentition could be directly linked to living a healthy and happy life. While it is essential to maintain a healthy dentition, we sometimes lose teeth. This could result from several factors, including decay, accidents, and diseases. Luckily, there are quite a few dental procedures that can help restore and improve the aesthetics and functionality of the teeth. This write-up will discuss one of these procedures called full mouth reconstruction.

What is Full Mouth Restoration?

Full mouth restoration refers to all the procedures carried out to repair dental issues. A full mouth restoration involves more than just functional restoration and is also meant to improve the aesthetics of the teeth, gums, and jaw. These procedures use implants and onlays to enhance the functionality of the teeth. They can be meant to restore functionality to existing teeth or to replace those that have been lost. Full mouth reconstruction will involve the use of bridges, crowns, veneers, etc. Various dental specialists can carry out a full mouth reconstruction depending on the damage being repaired. In more severe cases, a team of specialists may be needed to handle the various aspects of the procedure.

Who Needs a Full Mouth Reconstruction?

Full mouth reconstruction is available for a wide array of individuals with different dental conditions. Most people who undergo full mouth reconstruction have issues that affect all or most of their teeth. This could range from multiple missing teeth to large cavities in a number of the teeth. You can also have decayed or broken teeth restored via a full mouth reconstruction. Teeth worn down due to grounding (bruxism) may also be replaced. Some oral conditions such as Ameliogenesis, Dentinogenesis Imperfecta, and Ectodermal Dysplasia lead to a deformation of the teeth that have to be fixed by a full mouth reconstruction.

Steps for a Full Mouth Reconstruction

A full mouth reconstruction involves several dental treatments to achieve the desired result- fully restoring the patient's smile.

Consultation

The first step to getting a full mouth reconstruction is a consultation with a dentist. A consultation session with your dentist will involve discussions on your current condition and the expected results of the procedure. If you choose to have a consultation at Times Square Dental, Dr. Jon Hastings will ask questions concerning your health and any lifestyle habits you might have that will impact the procedure. Your answers will determine the steps to be taken towards carrying out your full mouth restoration and factors like the use of anesthesia. Next, the dentist carries out a physical examination to determine the extent of damage done to the teeth. This examination will evaluate the condition of the teeth along with other considerations such as the condition of the gums and the appearance and alignment of the teeth.

Records and Impressions

Once your mouth is examined, some records of your oral cavity will have to be taken. These will include pictures, x rays, and an impression of your mouth. The x rays and photographs are meant to help the dentist examine your mouth to discover details hidden from the naked eye. Once the pictures and scans are taken, an impression of your mouth is taken to help the dentist design whatever you will need prosthetics to reconstruct your mouth.

Full Mouth Reconstruction Procedures

After the full examination, your dentist will decide what procedures will best fit your specific needs. There are often options to choose from, so be sure to discuss with your dentist to have the most convenient option for you. All the options listed below are available at Times Square Dental – our talented team can provide what you need to create a beautiful, lasting smile.

Often, a full mouth reconstruction will involve multiple visits to the dentist spanning several months. The following are some of the options available to you for a full mouth reconstruction.

● Dental Implants

Dental implants are the most durable and long-lasting option for a full-mouth restoration. A titanium "root" is inserted in the jawbone using dental implants, and tooth-like crowns are put over the implants to restore the aesthetics. Because dental implants are affixed to the jawbone using titanium rods, they also restore a significant level of functionality, allowing you to continue eating your favorite foods.

Crowns for dental implants come in a variety of styles and sizes. People who need to replace a few teeth, for example, may have one dental implant for each tooth that has to be replaced. However, for a complete mouth dental restoration, as few as four dental implants can be utilized to join upper or lower arches of crowns, restoring both functionality and cosmetic look to your teeth. The fact that implants tend to inhibit bone resorption makes them appealing.

● Dentures

Dentures are a more affordable alternative to dental implants. Most patients adapt well to standard upper dentures because of the suction between the palate and the denture base. Some patients receive entire arches of artificial teeth on both the top and bottom arches, which you can take out. Lower dentures frequently necessitate the use of over-the-counter glue.

Dentures are a popular full-mouth dental reconstructive option, but they have a few disadvantages. For starters, because they are detachable, they may move while you are eating or chewing. This implies you might not be able to consume all of your favorite meals indefinitely. Second, they aren't very effective at preventing bone resorption.

● Crowns

According to the American College of Prosthodontists, dental crowns are the most frequently used restorative procedure in the US. They are often used to repair teeth that have been compromised by disease or fracture. Some people may want a more attractive grin. Your prosthodontist will alter your tooth or teeth for the tooth-shaped crown to fit over them.

After that, they will take an imprint of your tooth for the permanent crown and install a temporary crown over it. The permanent crown will be installed and will replace the appearance and function of your tooth (or teeth, if necessary).

● Bridges

Dental bridges may be the best dental reconstructive choice if you have gaps between your teeth. A dental bridge is a set of three or more crowns that join together. End crowns go on top of your natural teeth, while middle crowns fill the gaps caused by missing teeth. Consequently, the new crowns provide a more visually attractive grin and the added usefulness of the new tooth function.

● Veneers

Porcelain veneers may be a perfect solution in cases where only the front teeth are impacted. Porcelain veneers are manufactured "shells" that fit over the front of your teeth and can be color-matched to your other, natural teeth. They are typically used to cover crooked or discolored teeth.

Getting Started

Treat yourself and your family to patient-centered care, advanced dental technology, and innovative techniques in a comfortable setting. Contact Times Square Dental today! Our Boise dentist office has been serving Boise and surrounding Ada County since 1997. Jon Hastings, DDS, and our professional team treat patients of all ages with a variety of dental services, including general dentistry, restorative dentistry, dental implants, cosmetic dentistry, and much more!