What Is Full Mouth Reconstruction?

When many people here the term "full mouth reconstruction," it causes some confusion. Full mouth reconstruction sure sounds serious, and even painful - but believe it or not, it's not as scary as it sounds. If you’ve ever wondered what exactly full mouth reconstruction means and how it can help you, keep reading!

What exactly is full mouth reconstruction, anyway?
Full mouth reconstruction is the process of completely correcting your smile through a variety of different medical procedures. Full mouth reconstruction isn’t merely a functional and health-related restoration, but a cosmetic restoration, too.

Full mouth reconstruction comprises a combination of different procedures, all designed to restore health, beauty and functionality to your teeth. Each procedure and its duration varies by individual, but all procedures are customized to help you look your best.

What procedures are considered part of full mouth reconstruction?
Full mouth reconstruction can entail a combination of many different procedures. Common procedures may include:
• Orthodontics
• Dental implants
• Veneers
• Bonding
• Crowns
• Bridges
• Neuromuscular dentistry

To begin full mouth reconstruction, Dr. George will first look at the condition of the teeth. If they are healthy, no further work on the teeth themselves may be required. However, if they are not, they may require fillings, crowns, root canals or even tooth extraction. Once the teeth are healthy, the next stage of reconstruction can begin.

If teeth have been removed, time is of the essence in getting them replaced. This can help prevent or reduce bone loss and periodontitis, and it can even help keep your bite in place and increase the odds of your implant successfully taking to your jaw. If an implant is not an option, bridges may be a suitable plan B.

Once the teeth are healthy, the next step may be to address the alignment of the bite. This not only improves the look of your smile, but will also improve the health of your teeth. That’s because when your teeth are in proper alignment, they will wear more evenly and be less likely to chip or break. They will also be less likely to cause bruxism (teeth grinding) or temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). If TMD is already present, neuromuscular dentistry may be used to correct the bite and address any issues with the jaw or bite. This can be done with custom orthotics, orthodontics or both.

Once any TMD or bite issues are corrected, any damage to the teeth can be repaired. This may include veneers or bonding. Veneers can change not just the color of the teeth, but also the shape and size. Bonding is similar to veneers in that they both address the appearance of the teeth, but the procedure and how the materials adhere to the teeth are different. With veneers, a thin sheet of porcelain is attached to the tooth. Some of the tooth is cut away to make room for the veneer, and then the veneer is attached to the outward-facing portion of the tooth. The benefits of veneers include that they are durable and don’t stain, so you can change the color of your teeth without worry that it will darken or stain over time.

Bonding is more like a filling. It covers just a portion of the teeth, and it does not last as long as a veneer. It can also stain, but unlike a veneer, bonding does not require custom shaping and can be done in one visit. If no veneers or bonding are required, whitening treatment may also be an effective option.

Benefits
In addition to improving the appearance of your teeth and smile, full mouth reconstruction can also improve your bite and ease tension in the jaw, neck, back and head. It can also eliminate bruxism as well as the signs of past bruxism. And finally, full mouth restoration can improve something money can’t buy – your self-confidence.

To learn more about how full mouth restoration can restore your healthy, beautiful smile, give Dr. George’s office a call at 724-934-3422 and schedule an appointment today.