Full Mouth Rehabilitation
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Full mouth reconstruction, full mouth rehabilitation and full mouth restoration are terms often used interchangeably to describe the process of rebuilding or simultaneously restoring all of the teeth in both the upper and lower jaws.
Full mouth reconstruction are best done by a Restorative Dentist (performing procedures like crowns, bridges and veneers), and can incorporate other dental specialists like periodontists (specializing in the gums), oral surgeons, orthodontists (specializing in tooth movements and positions) and endodontists (specializing in root canals).
The need for full mouth reconstruction may result from:
•Teeth that have been lost due to decay or trauma.
•Teeth that have been injured or fractured.
•Teeth that have become severely worn as a result of long-term acid erosion (foods, beverages, acid reflux) or tooth grinding.
•On-going complaints of jaw, muscle and headache pain requiring adjustments to the bite (occlusion).
Numerous broken, lost and diseased teeth almost always negatively impacts patient’s social interaction, well-being and quality of life. The goals of full mouth reconstruction include improvement of the above aspects of one’s life.
What is the procedure involved?
If you think you need full mouth restoration or reconstruction, contact us for a comprehensive examination. We will examine your mouth to determine the extent of the problem and the treatment options that can be used to correct it. In particular, we will examine the condition of your-
Teeth: The condition of your teeth will determine what restorative procedures may be needed, such as porcelain veneers or full-coverage crowns, inlays or onlays, bridges or implants restored with a crown. In particular, we will make note of any cavities and decay, tooth wear, cracks, short/long teeth, root canal issues and any tooth movement.
Periodontal (gum) tissues: If your gums are not healthy, you will most likely need scaling and root planing to treat periodontal disease. You may require more intensive treatments from a periodontist to ensure that your newly reconstructed teeth will have a solid foundation. Such treatments could involve soft tissue or bone grafts to build up your gums and underlying jaw bone.
Temporomandibular joints, jaw muscles and occlusion: A stable bite – one in which you are not in pain when you close your mouth or chew and one that does not cause wear or destruction of your teeth – is important to your overall oral health. Occlusal changes need to be taken into consideration when your dentist plans your restorations. In fact, you may require orthodontics or some other type of treatment (night guard) to correct occlusion before additional restorative procedures can be performed.
Esthetics: The color, shape, size and proportion of your teeth, and how they appear in relation to your gums, lips, mouth, side profile and face, are also important factors in full mouth reconstruction treatment.
The examination process requires records of your mouth, such as X-rays, photographs and impressions of your upper and lower teeth. Once we have obtained all information relevant to your case, we will develop a comprehensive, step-by-step treatment plan to correct all of the problems in your mouth and complete your full mouth reconstruction.
The following procedures may be involved, depending on your needs:
•Prophylactic teeth cleaning.
•Crown lengthening to expose healthy, sound tooth structure for possible crowns or bridges.
•Contouring of the gum tissue to create balance and harmony in your smile.
•Preparation (reduction) of your natural tooth structure so crowns, bridges or veneers can be placed.
•Placement of temporary restorations so you can become accustomed to your new teeth and the feel of your new mouth or bite alignment.
•Orthodontics (braces) in order to move your teeth into the optimal position for reconstruction.
•Bone or soft tissue grafting to enhance the stability of your teeth, proposed implants and/or other restorations.
•Implant placement and restoration to replace missing teeth
What is the treatment time?
Treatment time of full mouth rehabilitation depends on the patient’s clinical condition and may take somewhere from several weeks to months in the most demanding cases.
It is not uncommon that patients who undergo full mouth rehabilitation treatment may require a large number of dental appointments. Full mouth reconstruction treatment is a commitment on the patient's part in terms of time. However your treatment can be staged in such manner that it minimally interferes with your schedule.