When you don’t feel good about your smile, it impacts your life in ways big and small. Maybe it’s become second-nature to smile with tightly closed lips when someone wants to take a picture or to hold your hand over your mouth when you laugh so no one can see your teeth, but the weariness you feel every time you look in the mirror never fades. If this describes you, a full mouth reconstruction may be a game-changer. This procedure requires multiple treatments and a significant investment of both time and money, but the weight it lifts from your shoulders is priceless.
Here’s what you should know about full mouth reconstruction.
When Is a Full Mouth Reconstruction Recommended?
Full mouth reconstructions are a serious treatment option reserved for severe dental and oral health issues. The most common reasons a patient might need a full mouth reconstruction are:
- Extensive tooth damage, decay, or loss
- Advanced periodontal disease
- Oral cancer
- Congenital birth defects
- Facial trauma
Some patients, particularly those who have had oral cancers, need a full mouth reconstruction to restore their ability to speak, eat, and swallow properly. Others also need surgical or orthodontic work on the jaw as well.
What Is a Full Mouth Reconstruction?
Full mouth reconstructions aren’t a one-size-fits-all procedure, like with a dental filling for a cavity or a crown where we can tell you what to expect from the process and every patient’s experience is somewhat similar. Instead, this is a procedure that looks different for every patient based on what their needs are.
The goal of full mouth reconstruction is to treat all dental and periodontal problems comprehensively in order to restore function, aesthetics, and health to your smile. The holistic nature of this solution means that there are usually multiple procedures involved in the process. Some possible treatments and restorations we might use include:
- Dental implants
- Dental veneers
- Dental crowns
- Partial dentures
- Dental bridges
- Inlays and onlays
- Bone grafting
- Periodontal procedures
- Cosmetic treatments
Where Can I Get a Full Mouth Reconstruction?
Sometimes Dr. Todd is able to complete all of the required treatments for a full mouth reconstruction at his office, but often other dental professionals, like oral surgeons and orthodontists, need to be brought into the process. That said, Dr. Todd can oversee and coordinate your overall treatment plan.
How Long Does a Full Mouth Reconstruction Take?
There’s no good answer to this question, as every patient is different and some procedures take longer to complete than others. For example, if bone grafting is needed, we may need to wait months in order to see if they are successful before proceeding with other treatments. Some full mouth reconstructions take only two or three visits, while others are completed over the course of a year or longer.
When possible, we can provide temporary solutions to help you feel better about your smile while the work is in progress. We understand that the wait can be frustrating, but good dental work takes time and patience. Any dentist who promises a quick fix for extensive dental problems isn’t setting realistic expectations.
Learn More About Full Mouth Reconstruction
If you’d like to talk to Dr. Todd about a full mouth reconstruction, contact us today at 570-287-2500 to schedule an appointment.