Full Mouth Reconstruction
Covington, WA
Full Mouth Reconstruction provided by Kyle S. Blair, DDS
in Covington, WA at Covington Family Dental
Full mouth reconstruction, also referred to as full mouth rehabilitation, is a combination of dental treatments that may include crowns, bridges, dental implants, inlays, and onlays. They are designed to restore function and aesthetics if you have a mouth containing severely damaged, broken, or missing teeth. Our doctors at Covington Family Dental can help you to have full function of your mouth again as well as a fantastic smile.
A full mouth reconstruction is often a collaborative approach between specialists such as oral surgeons, orthodontists, prosthodontists, and periodontists. The treatment targets complex dental problems that affect eating and speech, aiming to restore quality of life and fully restore dental health, form, and function.
Is Full Mouth Reconstruction for Me?
It may seem like a daunting prospect to undergo full mouth reconstruction, but the results are worth it. The thing to remember is that no two full mouth reconstructions are the same, as each one is tailor-made to each patient's specific needs.
A thorough consultation and examination with one of our dentists will establish a complete picture of your dental health, as well as discover what your hopes are in terms of what you want to achieve from both a health and cosmetic point of view.
We will assess your periodontal tissue, the jawbone, and its muscles as well as the health, color, size, and shape of your teeth. Diagnostic tests, including x-rays, and impressions of your mouth are taken.
Once we have a full picture of your oral health a treatment plan is mapped out for you. It consists of various options with a timeline for completion to meet all your health, aesthetic and budgetary requirements.
Procedure for Full Mouth Reconstruction
Prior to the beginning of the reconstructive treatment, we will need to ensure that any active problems, such as tooth decay or gum disease are under control. Tooth decay will be removed and treated with fillings, and possibly dental crowns if the teeth are weak.
Management of gum disease, especially if it has progressed to the more severe periodontitis, is ongoing. Although periodontitis is not curable, it can be controlled and prevented from becoming worse with regular professional cleaning at the dentist or hygienist, combined with a good oral hygiene regime at home. Once these problems are under control, reconstruction of the mouth can begin.
Common Treatments for Full Mouth Reconstruction
The procedures that may be best to help you restore functionality can vary widely and will be based on your individual needs.
Dental Implants
Procedures may include dental implants to restore missing teeth. Considered to be the ultimate in tooth replacement procedures, implants often form the cornerstone of full mouth restorations. Typically made from titanium, screws are placed in the jawbone to take the place of tooth roots. Over a period of months, a newly positioned implant integrates with the jawbone in a process called osseointegration to form a strong and stable support for an attached crown, which is your pontic tooth.
Implant-supported dentures are another option for those who may not be ready for full dental implant reconstruction. This includes the All-on-4® Treatment Concept, which has just four implant posts.
Tooth Crowns and Dental Bridges
Crowns (or caps) are fitted over the teeth to provide additional strength if, for example, a large amount of decay has been removed during a tooth filling or root canal procedure. Damaged teeth that are chipped or cracked may also be strengthened in this way.
Dental crowns may also be used as part of a bridge to fill gaps caused by missing teeth.
Teeth Veneers
Dental veneers are purely cosmetic but offer a good solution to teeth that are discolored, chipped, misshapen, or crooked. Wafer-thin, they are bonded to the front of the teeth and color-matched to existing teeth they create the perfect smile.
Bone Graft
Bone grafting may also be needed in some cases where there has been bone loss after natural teeth have been extracted. Bone grafts are important to build up the bone in the jaw, particularly if dental implants are going to be the restorative solution of choice.
Who Is A Candidate For A Full Mouth Reconstruction?
There are several factors that can make someone a good candidate for a full mouth rehabilitation. Those who have struggled with advanced periodontal disease could find that they are in need of the procedure. Gum disease can result in the loss of natural teeth, which can often only get worse unless the natural teeth are extracted and replaced by dental implants or another replacement tooth solution.
Patients who have badly eroded and decayed teeth can also benefit from a full mouth reconstruction, as it is often not the right choice to attempt to restore teeth that have long suffered from decay and infection. Extracting these teeth is often the healthier choice for the patient.
Patients who have been in an accident that has led to damage to the mouth and jaw, or the loss of multiple teeth, could benefit from a full mouth reconstruction. During your initial assessment, we will be able to determine if a full mouth rehabilitation is right for you.
During your consultation with our oral surgeon, the condition of your mouth and teeth will be evaluated. This will allow our oral surgeon to diagnose your concerns with accuracy, and to make the right recommendations to help you to restore functionality.
What Are Full Mouth Reconstruction Goals?
The goals for every full mouth reconstruction will be based on factors unique to each patient. However, there are some commonalities seen.
One common goal seen is to replace missing or diseased teeth, with a focus on restoring functionality. Reducing pain and disease, while allowing patients the opportunity to have restored oral functions is another goal that many focus on. Most patients consult with our oral surgeon with the hopes of restoring their smile to one that they are happy with and proud to show off.
Schedule an Appointment for Full Mouth Reconstruction
Whether you have lost your teeth due to decay or perhaps an accident, there is a solution that can restore your oral functionality. If you are around Covington, WA, schedule your consultation for a full mouth reconstruction with our oral surgeon at Covington Family Dental by calling us at 253.499.6155 today! |
