What Is Full Mouth Reconstruction?
Mouth reconstruction refers to the process in which the entire teeth structure of the patient is replaced with the assistance of different techniques available in the world of dentistry. This process enhances the function of the teeth and also their beauty and health. A dentist consultation provides information about the different treatment options available for the reconstruction of the entire mouth.
How Long Does Full Mouth Reconstruction Take?
The duration and cost of the treatment differ from person to person since each treatment has different tools n procedures that differ in cost and duration. Most of the options take a few months to a year to complete the reconstruction process. The duration may be a little more when the procedure takes a very long time
The decision of treatments would be made considering various factors of the patient such as overall health, medical history and recent surgeries.
Reasons for full mouth reconstruction
There can be several reasons to opt for full mouth reconstruction:
- Injured or fractured teeth
- A complication of jawline or muscles that require some adjustment.
- Loss of teeth due to decaying.
- Tooth grinding
- Missing teeth
- Born with teeth disabilities
What Happens In Full Mouth Reconstruction?
Before the decisions are made about required procedures, the dentist will have to do thorough examinations for the following:
Teeth – A thorough examination of teeth alignment, their shape, size, color, and how it looks in the different side profiles of the face are checked.
Gums – Gums are the foundation for the teeth and having a strong foundation is very important for the reconstruction process. Hence, any gum-related issues are first to be checked and treated.
Jawline and joints and muscles – Flexibility of joint muscles, and jaw muscles are thoroughly analyzed. An orthodontics specialist would be suggested for the same.
Relevant documents – Reports of the mouth, photographs and X-rays and clear impressions of teeth (both upper and lower) and also a model impression of a bite are taken to understand the anatomy of the recipient’s mouth.
Full Mouth Reconstruction Techniques
There are many techniques available for full mouth reconstruction and the detailed description of each are given below to choose from:
Crowns – If a tooth is damaged and irreparable, an artificial cap of tooth size is cemented on the tooth permanently which makes the tooth look natural.
Composite Fillings – Tooth cavities or broken teeth or cracked teeth are repaired using composite fillings.
Dental Implants – The artificial tooth is screwed into the jaw bone. It acts like a natural tooth and prevents further tooth infections.
Veneers – They are artificial teeth made for front teeth replacement. When the front teeth are out of shape, veneers are attached to them permanently.
Bridges – A set of teeth are placed in a row to cover the absence of teeth.
Root Canal – If the tooth decay is deepened into the pulp (soft tissues deep inside the tooth), the root canal is performed. In this process, the damaged pulp is removed and filling is done to avoid further infections.
Corrective Jaw Surgery – There could be jaw misalignment that affects the teeth aligning and also bite alignment. Performing jaw surgery helps in resolving the issue.
Dentures – When most of the teeth are damaged, dentures come as the easiest option to replace all teeth with artificial teeth sets that are also removable.
Dental Extractions – Severely damaged teeth are extracted and replaced with dentures or implants.
Bone Grafting – When the jaw bone is weak and not able to hold the implants firmly, bone grafting is done to make the jaws stronger and help in bone regeneration.
Soft Tissue Grafting – Weakened tissues won’t be able to support the teeth’ alignment and would also affect the appearance. In soft tissue grafting, gums are attached with surgery to help teeth get the required support that also enhances the appearance of the teeth.
Technical advancement provides various options for full mouth reconstruction and the cost differs for each procedure and insurance covers some of the expenses of the reconstruction.
