Model of a dental restoration

Whether you’ve suffered a severe facial injury or lost several teeth due to aging, you still deserve a perfect smile. Minor dental issues like cavities are easy to fix. Still, when it comes to extensive tooth loss, decay, or periodontal disease, these issues can require an overhaul of the whole palette. This is called a full-mouth restoration.

What Is Full Mouth Restoration?

A full mouth restoration or reconstruction is a dental procedure that utilizes restorative techniques to correct dental issues and helps to optimize the mouth's overall function, health, and aesthetics. Most people think full-mouth restoration involves just replacing the teeth. However, the procedure can also include modifying the mouth’s overall structure with gum and jaw replacement. For example, full moth restoration is sometimes needed because of oral cancer. 

While full mouth restoration offers a long-term solution to extensive dental issues, the procedure is demanding for the patient and the treatment team. The intense planning and preparation necessary for a successful full mouth reconstruction requires you to understand what will happen before, during, and after the treatment. 

Do I Need Full Mouth Restoration?

If you are missing multiple teeth, you are a candidate for full mouth restoration. You could also be a candidate if you have severely worn teeth due to bruxism, several cracked or broken teeth, and failing teeth fillings. 

In addition, you may be a candidate for full-mouth restoration if you were born with certain dental conditions such as ectodermal dysplasia, dentinogenesis imperfecta, or amelogenesis.

Preparation for Full Mouth Rehabilitation

Unlike some dental procedures, full mouth restoration is a complex treatment carried out in steps and completing the entire treatment plan can take anywhere from several months to a few years. This usually will require you to have a series of dental appointments, which might involve seeing different oral specialists throughout each stage of the process.

Here is an overview of what to expect during the treatment process:

Dental evaluation

During the first consultation, the doctor will take a comprehensive dental history, perform a thorough dental exam, and perform various tests like X-rays to get a better look at your bite to help ascertain the extent of your problem. The findings of this initial evaluation will help your doctor create a plan with specific timelines tailored to meet your treatment goals. 

Scheduling procedures

Full mouth restoration or reconstruction combines different restorative and periodontal treatments, including bone grafting, root planing, and scaling, to give you a perfect smile. As outlined below, these procedures are part of a holistic treatment and cannot be carried out in a single session, necessitating multiple sessions.

Phase 1

Initial appointments are usually planned in advance with additional time to allow for the patient’s mouth to heal properly. The dentist will examine specific aspects of your oral health and correct them first. For instance, if your jawbone is damaged, you will need bone grafting before other aspects of the restoration can take place. 

Phase 2

After the initial phase, your doctor will perform corrective orthodontics and other treatments that will help to enhance the overall look of your smile. 

Full mouth restoration is an intensive procedure that requires some time, patience, and money. Often times, people feel frustrated and become impatient. The key to having a successful experience is to educate yourself and plan in advance. If you know what to expect, remain committed, and complete the treatment plan, following doctors’ orders throughout the process, you won’t regret the decision.

Treatment Costs

Undergoing full mouth restoration can be quite expensive. Cumulative costs of up to $45,000 are not uncommon. In most cases, insurance covers just a portion of the total costs. 

Fortunately, most dentists have developed payment plans that allow patients to settle the bill with installments over a period of time. Nevertheless, there is a cost for this treatment, and you need to be prepared before making your final decision.  

For more information on full mouth restorative treatment, whether or not it’s right for you, and why planning is so crucial, contact Kanehl Dental today.