Full Mouth Reconstruction
Portland, OR
 For our patients who have extensive damage or decay, we may need to do full mouth reconstruction. While this is not one of the more common dental procedures, our team here at Bravo Smile is experienced in performing a full mouth reconstruction. If you have not heard of full mouth construction as part of restorative dentistry, the information provided here will help you understand this procedure and give you an idea if it is something that you may need.
Full Mouth Reconstruction Explained
Unlike some dental procedures, full mouth reconstruction is often more than one single surgery or process. Instead, the term is often used to encompass the various different dental procedures you need in order to have a healthy, strong set of teeth and gums. Full mouth reconstruction aims to fully restore your mouth's health and functionality. The treatment is a series of procedures to replace, repair or fix broken teeth, restore missing teeth, and transform your smile for the better. The treatment meets your individual needs and is tailor-made for your circumstances. While it can include cosmetic dentistry or aesthetic procedures, that is not the main goal. Full mouth reconstruction is designed to treat medical conditions and repair any damage done to your mouth.
What Is a Full Mouth Reconstruction?
Sometimes referred to as a full mouth rehabilitation, the treatment optimizes the health of the mouth. Teeth, gums, bite and jaw alignment may all be included in a full mouth reconstruction. The treatment may include a multidisciplinary approach, where several dental specialists work together, including oral surgeons, periodontists, prosthodontists, and orthodontists to deliver the best outcome.
Who Needs Full Mouth Reconstruction?
Full mouth reconstruction is not something most patients need. However, if you have dealt with something that has affected a large portion of your mouth, you may. Those who have gone years with advanced periodontal disease may need to have teeth extracted, gums treated, and may even need bone grafts to rebuild their jaw. Severe accidents that have damaged the mouth also often require major reconstruction. Teeth that have become so worn down and eroded may require advanced treatment. Even pain from a misaligned jaw may need full mouth reconstruction to address.
How Is Full Mouth Reconstruction Done?
The procedures that are part your full mouth reconstruction depend on what dental issues you have. In some cases, you may need to have your teeth extracted and dental implants placed or dentures designed. You might need a dental bridge if you still have some healthy teeth. You could need gum surgery to address periodontal disease or bone grafting to help strengthen the jaw. Even procedures such as braces and onlays can be a part of full mouth reconstruction.
How Long Does Full Mouth Reconstruction Take?
The timeline for your full mouth reconstruction also depends on what procedures you need. In some cases, it could actually take over a year to complete all of the different procedures you need. This is because there are some procedures we cannot do at the same time. You may need time to heal from one before we do another. In some cases, certain conditions must be treated first before we can move on to others. When you come in to talk to us about your full mouth reconstruction, we will create a timeline of processes that will outline how we will address your dental needs.
What Procedures Are Included in Full Mouth Reconstruction?
Practically any procedure may be included in a full mouth reconstruction, from simple fillings to complex treatments regarding the realignment of teeth with orthodontics or replacing missing teeth with dental implants.
A full mouth reconstruction addresses both functional problems in addition to improving your smile, which is different from purely cosmetic treatment, such as a smile makeover. Most full mouth reconstructions involve restoring missing teeth. This is likely to include placing dental implants as the backbone to the full mouth reconstruction. In suitable patients, implants are placed in the jawbone and integrate with the bone, which means they act like a tooth root and are strong enough to support a false tooth (crown) that withstands all the biting and chewing forces that a natural tooth does.
Dental Crowns and Bridges
Crowns and dental bridges are also used to replace missing teeth. A bridge can be supported by natural teeth or by dental implants. Crowns are used to provide strength to weak or damaged teeth and are fitted over them to prevent further damage, as well as to provide a good cosmetic result. Teeth that have had a large amount of decay removed or teeth that have had root canal treatment may benefit from a dental crown.
Veneers
Dental veneers do not serve any functional or health benefits, but they are one of the most effective ways of improving teeth cosmetically. Bonded to the front of the teeth, they are strong, natural-looking, and easy to maintain.
Am I A Good Candidate for Full Mouth Reconstruction?
You will require a thorough examination, as well as appropriate x-rays and scans of your mouth and jaw to assess the health of your teeth, gums, and jawbones. In modern dentistry, there are often several treatments that will provide the required result and we will want to discuss what your goals are, and how best to reach them.
Good dental health is a prerequisite and before your full mouth reconstruction begins in earnest, we will want to ensure you have no signs of active gum disease or tooth decay. Thus, these problems will be treated to give you a clean bill of health. Treatments may include dental fillings to remove tooth decay and periodontal therapy, such as scaling and root planing to alleviate gum disease.
Is Full Mouth Reconstruction for You?
If you have gone without comprehensive dental care for many years, have been in a serious accident, or are dealing with other conditions that have had a major impact on your mouth, you may be a candidate for oral health reconstruction. Call Bravo Smile at (971) 441-5987 to set up a consultation today. We want to make you happy with the function and the aesthetics of your mouth. Let us help create a personalized dental plan for you! |
