WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FULL MOUTH RESTORATIONS
What you need to know about full mouth restorations
Regardless of how bad your oral health might be, state of the art dental technology makes it possible for you to enjoy a good smile too. Commonly known as reconstruction, full mouth restoration involves rebuilding most of your teeth regardless of what condition they are in. It entails everything from repairing a crooked smile to replacing missing ones. If this is your first time hearing about full mouth restorations, here is all you need to know about this life-changing procedure.
Plans that are in a full mouth reconstruction
A complete restoration plan is usually inclusive of various restorative and cosmetic oral procedures. Some of the oral concerns addressed by this plan include
– Tooth decay
– Dental stains or tooth discoloration
– Periodontal disease
– Missing, broken, cracked or chipped teeth
– Teeth misalignment
The treatments
While the procedures that you need will be determined by your dentist, depending on the condition your teeth are in, a full reconstruction might include one or more of the following
Dental implants
Implants are the most common in complete mouth restoration. They help replace a missing or a severely damaged tooth using a titanium frame that is installed in the jawbone to act as the root and a crown for the missing tooth. Implants function like natural teeth and are indistinguishable as they tend to fuse with the gum over time.
Root canal therapy
For teeth that have suffered significant decay or damage, the dentist might carry out a root canal procedure to help save the tooth. Root canal involves cleaning and sealing as well as restoring your tooth with a custom dental crown.
Orthognathic surgery
The jaw is twice as important as it helps keep your teeth in place and is also hinged to your skull. Even the slightest misalignment can result in great discomfort. In case you also suffer from this then the doctor will carry out an orthognathic surgery also known as TMJ treatment to reposition it.
Other common treatments include
– Teeth whitening
– Crown lengthening
– Fillings
– Orthodontics to move crooked teeth to an optimal position
– Bone grafting or augmentation to enhance the stability of your jaw to handle teeth restorations such as implants
– Periodontal care
– Inlays and overlays
The consultation process
The list above only highlights some of the treatments that you should be ready for, but what should you expect during your first consultation? Find out below
During your consultation, the dentist will examine the following
Your teeth
The dentist’s first stop will be your teeth as they are more prone to oral problems. This will help him/her determine the restorative procedure that you need.
Your Gums
Your gums act as the foundation of your teeth, and if they are unhealthy, then even the reconstructed teeth will be next. Therefore the dentist will then look for signs of periodontal disease on your gums. He/she will also look out for bone density irregularities, insufficient gum tissue or deep pockets among many others.
Jaw and joints
As noted earlier, the jaw is vital; thus the dentist will examine them to see if you have a natural or correct bite. In that case, you might find yourself wearing a mouth guard during sleep or a candidate of TMJ treatment.
The esthetic appearance
Finally, the dentist will examine the overall look of your mouth because how you look once the process is over, plays a significant role in full restoration. The dentist will have to consider the size, shape, and color of your teeth in comparison to your lips, mouth and full face profile. This will help him/her come up with implants, veneers or any restorations that are in sync to these features.
Final thoughts
In a nutshell, full mouth restorations involve multiple treatments. These are usually done in stages, and hence you should be ready to pay visits to the dentist several times a year, or even a month. It is normal for the process to take long and some restorations might even take a year!