If you’ve spent a long time living with mouth pain or feeling insecure about some missing teeth, isn’t it time to make a change? Full mouth reconstruction will not only help you feel better about how you look, it’ll also improve your dental health. That’s because full mouth reconstruction doesn’t just replace missing or broken teeth. It also restores the function of your jaw and gums, the supporting structure of your mouth. The end result is a mouth that looks and works the way you need it to!

What Is Full Mouth Reconstruction?

Full mouth reconstruction combines multiple restorative, neuromuscular and cosmetic procedures. The goal is to restore not only the look of your teeth but also the structure and function. Why? Each of these things affects the other. For example, a broken tooth can cause a problem with your bite. This can lead to difficulty chewing, which creates wear on your teeth. This wear can then lead to jaw and neck soreness, headaches, even migraines.

Who Needs It?

There are several reasons why your teeth might be in bad shape, including neglect, injury and preventive dental care that has worn down and requires replacement. Full mouth restoration may be recommended if you:

• Have several worn down, chipped or broken teeth
• Have missing teeth
• Experience chronic jaw pain, clicking or popping of the jaw
• Have frequent headaches, back pain and muscle tenderness

If your dentist thinks you might be a candidate for mouth reconstruction, you will begin with an evaluation to figure out specifically what procedures you’ll need.

What Treatments Are Involved?

Each full mouth reconstruction is unique. Your dentist will evaluate the health of your teeth, gums and jaw. The overall look of your teeth is the final consideration in developing your dental treatment plan. During this initial phase, your dentist may refer you to dental specialists to determine what specific care you need. You may need a special type of dentist called a prosthodontist to oversee your care. Prosthodontists are specially trained to manage the complexity of a full mouth reconstruction and can act as the “architect” of your treatment plan.

Full mouth reconstruction will involve several treatments. Your dentist may recommend one or more of the following, depending on your specific situation:

• Tooth filling and root canal treatment
• Scaling and root planing
• A bite repositioning orthodontic appliance
• Mouthguard or night guard
• Veneers
• Dental crown
• Dental inlays and dental onlays
• Dental implants or a dental bridge
• Dental bonding
• Teeth whitening
• Dental braces

As you might have guessed, the process takes time. It isn’t uncommon for a full mouth reconstruction to take at least a year to complete.

Where Do I Begin?

Once your dentist determines what procedures you need, you will set up treatment phases and establish a time frame for completing care. At this stage, it’s key to talk about the cost of your care and what your dental insurance covers. You’ll want to make sure the dentist can create a payment plan you can afford.

With the amount of work involved in a full mouth reconstruction, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed. Not only can mouth reconstruction be expensive, but it will undoubtedly involve several treatments performed over a period of time. Start by taking the first step — speak with your dentist to determine if you are a candidate. Then consider getting a few opinions to ensure you find the right fit for your needs.