What is a Full Mouth Reconstruction?
Put simply, a full-mouth reconstruction is a complete restoration of the teeth on the upper and lower jaw. This restorative dental process can involve several dental procedures, including dental implants, crowns, gum restoration, orthodontic work, and more. While the exact treatment plan depends on your specific dental situation, the result remains the same– a fully rehabilitated and cosmetically renewed set of teeth.
Why You May Benefit from a Full Mouth Restoration
There are several reasons why a full-mouth restoration may be the best treatment option for you, including the following:
- You’re missing teeth due to severe decay or trauma
- Teeth have been fractured or broken
- Teeth have become severely worn down
- Continuous jaw pain or discomfort when biting.
How a Full Mouth Reconstruction Works
A full mouth reconstruction may involve any number of procedures to treat your dental issues. The exact treatment plan will be decided by your dentist and a team of specialists, which could include periodontists, endodontists, orthodontists, and others.
When you come into our Wake Forest dental office for a consultation, our doctor will begin by examining the following areas of your mouth to determine exactly which procedures your full-mouth reconstruction will require:
Teeth
Depending on the exact condition of your teeth, you may require restorative dental treatments like veneers, composite crowns, filings, dental implants, or a dental bridge. These treatments fill tooth gaps and repair fractured teeth to restore full mouth functionality and appearance.
During the exam, your dentist will make note of any missing teeth, fractured or chipped teeth, and cavities that will need to be addressed during treatment.
Gums
Next, the dentist will examine the condition of your gums for issues like gum recession, bone loss, plaque buildup under the gum line, and gum disease. Common treatments for these issues include gum tissue grafts, bone grafts, scaling, and root planing. The dentist will likely refer you to a periodontist to put together a treatment plan.
Jaw
If your bite is misaligned, or you experience pain when chewing, your doctor will need to address the underlying issues during your reconstruction. Without a properly aligned bite, your teeth will wear down over time and lead to persistent discomfort. Orthodontic treatment may even be required to correct these issues.
Cosmetic
Finally, the aesthetic appearance of your teeth will be taken into account. Any discolored or misshapen teeth, teeth gaps, and the overall appearance of your teeth and gums will be noted and corrected during the reconstruction.
Your Treatment Plan
Once the examination is complete, your doctor will take a full set of x-rays and impressions of your teeth. If orthodontic or periodontic treatment is needed, the doctor will also refer you to specialists for further examinations to help put together the full treatment plan for your full-mouth restoration.
After you’ve completed all the follow-up examinations and your doctor has received the recommended treatments from the other specialist, they will compile all the information into a comprehensive treatment plan. We will then bring you back into the office to discuss this plan with you and address any questions or concerns you may have. If you would like any second opinions, this stage is the perfect time to get them. Once you’re comfortable with the plan, we can finally begin your full-mouth reconstruction.
What Happens During a Full Mouth Reconstruction?
There is no standard procedure for a full-mouth restoration. Every dental condition is different and requires different methods of treatment. The specific dental procedures required for your restoration depend entirely upon the recommendations made by your dentist and their team of specialists.
Depending on your dental condition, your reconstruction could take up to a year or more. The following are a few common treatments you may require:
- Teeth Cleaning to eliminate tartar and plaque buildup
- Orthognathic Surgery to reposition your jaw
- Orthodontic Treatment like braces to ensure proper teeth alignment and spacing
- Restorative Dental Treatments like veneers, crowns, fillings, or dental bonding to restore tooth integrity and improve your smile’s appearance
- Implants or Dental Bridges to replace missing teeth
- Gum Tissue Grafts or Bone Grafts to treat gum recession and strengthen gun tissue, providing a more stable foundation for implants
- Gum Scaling and Root Planing to treat gum disease and eliminate plaque buildup below the gum line
The Cost of a Full Mouth Restoration in Wake Forest
In Wake Forest, expect to pay anywhere between $20,000 and $35,000 for a full mouth reconstruction. The actual cost of your full mouth reconstruction will depend on many factors, including how many teeth need to be treated, the exact procedures required, and whether or not you encounter any complications along the way.
Remember– no one can give you an accurate quote for your dental procedure online. To find the exact cost of your full mouth reconstruction, you’ll need to come into our Wake Forest Dental practice for a consultation.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Frequently Asked Questions
No two full-mouth restorations are the same. Each restoration requires a different set of dental procedures and methods for rehabilitating your dental condition. That means the length of the process will vary, possibly taking anywhere from a few months to over a year to complete. Your doctor will provide you with a better idea of the length of your full mouth restoration once you’ve completed the initial examination stage of the procedure.
There is a significant difference between a full-mouth reconstruction and a smile makeover. While a smile makeover is an elective cosmetic dental procedure, full-mouth reconstruction is a necessary dental procedure for restoring the health and functionality of the mouth.
In general, these terms are used interchangeably to describe the same process– a complete restoration of the mouth through various surgical and cosmetic dental procedures. These procedures may include dental cleanings, orthodontic treatment, gum tissue grafting, bone grafting, veneers, dental crowns, root canals, composite fillings, and more.