Full Mouth Restoration 101: Everything to Know About Full Mouth Restoration

A smile tells all, and if you have poor oral health, everyone notices.

An unhealthy mouth and unattractive dental issues can get in the way of a happy and healthy life. Luckily, procedures such as full mouth restoration can reverse long-term dental issues causing discomfort and insecurity.

But with so many options available for reparative dental procedures, picking the right one can be overwhelming.

Keep reading for the complete guide on full mouth restoration and what to know when considering dental reconstruction.

Full mouth restoration uses restorative, neuromuscular, and cosmetic procedures to repair chronic dental issues within the whole mouth. The process of teeth restoration improves your oral health and can also help you feel better about the appearance of your teeth.

In addition to the restructuring of teeth, this procedure might also include restoring your gums and jaw, and the overall structure of your mouth.

Some options for treatment vary when factors such as oral cancer are involved. In these unique instances, full mouth reconstruction not only involves replacing missing teeth, but could also potentially mean having to replace missing structures within the oral cavity.

A variety of people with dental needs undergo full mouth restoration. Almost 2.3 million implant-supported crowns are made each year, and about 120 million people in the U.S. are missing at least one tooth.

The need for this procedure can be as extreme as needing to transition to dentures, or something less intensive such as restoring teeth subject to grinding during sleep.

Among common issues such as cracked or decaying teeth, missing teeth, and misaligned teeth, those born with conditions such as Ectodermal Dysplasia, Ameliogenesis, and Dentinogenisis imperfecta will likely undergo extensive full mouth restoration in their lifetime.

If you are considering full mouth restoration, talk to your dentist to see if it's the right choice for you.

The process of being examined and evaluated for full mouth restoration is extensive and could take more than one appointment to solidify a plan. You might be referred to other dental specialists, too.

Be sure to understand that the process of creating a plan is thorough because undergoing full mouth restoration is a big commitment. Your dentist will start by doing an examination of all of the possible areas that may need work.

Teeth

The amount of wear or damage to your teeth determines the need for prosthetics such as bridges, inlays or onlays, full-coverage crowns, dental implants, or dentures. The determining factors for tooth restoration that your dentist will make note of include cavities, decay, cracks, teeth that are longer or shorter than the others, and teeth that are out of alignment.

Gum Tissue

The gum tissue, or periodontal tissue, that isn't healthy will need scaling and root planing in order to cure severe periodontal disease. Scaling is a procedure that removes plaque from below the gum line. Root planing smooths the root, allowing the gum to reattach to the tooth.

More serious conditions involving severe gum recession might require treatments such as bone or soft tissue grafting.

Occlusion

Having a weak or unhealthy bite, or occlusion, will need to be addressed before any other restorative work can be done. Changes in your bite will need to be considered by your dentist when mapping out your restorative plan.

If your occlusion isn't stable, you'll need to have it aligned with a night guard or a bite reprogramming orthotic.

Esthetics

The size, shape, proportions, and color of your teeth are all important factors for restoration. Making sure you will be happy and confident with your new mouth is as important as your overall oral health.

While procedures purely for esthetics might seem different than needing reconstructive surgery for damaged teeth, it is equally important that you love your smile and feel confident in how you look and feel.

Obtaining Records and Making a Plan

In addition to the examination, this process requires records of your mouth, including x-rays, impressions made of both your lower and upper sets of teeth, molds made of those impressions, and an impression of the alignment of your bite.

Your dentist may refer you to a specialist such as an orthodontist, periodontist, or an oral surgeon to come up with a strategy for your restoration plan.

When your dentist has all of the necessary information compiled and organized, you will receive a step-by-step plan for your future procedures.

Be sure you understand every part of your plan and ask your dentist questions. It is important to know all of the risks and benefits involved in full mouth restoration, so be sure to ask your dentist any questions you might have.

Undergoing full mouth reconstruction can be expensive, but remember that many dentists and dental specialists will work with you on insurance and financing so you can get the care you need without breaking the bank.

Be sure to talk to your dentist about full mouth reconstruction cost and what you can do to lessen the stress of financing a big procedure.

Since undergoing restoration or reconstruction typically occurs in several sessions, full mouth restoration cost will be separated into smaller payments, instead of having to pay one big bill right after an intense dental procedure.

Taking the first step toward full mouth restoration can be overwhelming, but we want to help make this process stress-free.

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you get the smile you want and deserve.