If you have many broken, damaged or missing teeth then a full mouth reconstruction is often the only answer.
This involves a combination of dental treatments which are designed to repair the damage caused as well as giving you a set of healthy teeth and gums.
A full mouth reconstruction can involve implants, veneers, crowns, inlays, onlays and a bridge. As a result of this it requires thorough planning and a high level of skill and expertise on behalf of the dentist.
A full mouth reconstruction is not cheap but is often the only means of restoring the natural function and appearance of your teeth. For many people that is a price worth paying.
‘What does a full mouth reconstruction involve?’ ‘How much will it cost?’ ‘How long will it take?’ These are some of the most commonly asked questions about this extensive procedure.
What is a ‘full mouth reconstruction?’
A full mouth reconstruction is an extensive form of treatment. It is undertaken when a patient has missing, broken or badly worn teeth. What this treatment does is to restore the natural function of the teeth and the gums.
A full mouth reconstruction can be a costly and lengthy process, taking a year or two to complete.
Who should consider a full mouth reconstruction?
If you are experiencing severe dental problems such as TMJ or misaligned teeth then a full mouth reconstruction can help. Headaches, popping jaw or migraines are all signs of a dental problem.
Your dentist will determine whether you are suitable for this procedure. He or she will take various factors into account which include your lifestyle, general health and reasons for this treatment.
Having missing or damaged teeth can affect your confidence and self-esteem and this treatment can improve that along with your teeth.
What questions should I ask a full mouth reconstruction dentist?
The main areas of concern are going to be with the dentist him/herself: what level of experience has he/she got? How many years have they been in practice? How successful is this procedure?
You want to determine their level of competency and experience before proceeding with what can be an expensive affair.
So, there are questions you can ask in regard to the dentist and ones which are related to the procedure. Here is a list of suggested questions which may help in that all important meeting:
Do you have professional accreditation? Are you a member of a professional organisation?
How many years have you been performing this procedure?
How many of these procedures do you carry out in a year?
What are your success rates for this treatment?
How will you plan my treatment?
How long will my treatment plan take?
What can I expect from this treatment?
Is it likely to be painful?
What type of anaesthetic will I have?
How much will this all cost?
Can I get any help towards paying for this?
What are the chances of something going wrong?
If something does go wrong then do I have to pay extra?
Is there an aftercare service/follow up visits?
It’s a good idea to go in with a list of questions and make a note of the answers as you ask them. The meeting you have with the dentist is your chance to ‘interview’ them and to see if they and the clinic are reputable.
What is the full mouth reconstruction procedure?
This starts with a planned programme of treatment. As this treatment can involve implants, crowns, veneers, inlays etc then these need to be organised into a logical system.
In the initial consultation with your dentist he or she will discuss your treatment options; as well as asking questions about your lifestyle, state of health and expectations of this treatment.
This will be followed by a thorough oral examination in which the dentist will use the latest technology to determine what is needed and when. This may include x-rays/CAT scan, bite analysis, joint vibration analysis (JVA) and digital imagery.
Your dentist may have the latest 3D design software and can use this to show you a preview of what your treatment will involve. And what the outcome will be.
This is also used as a means of assessing the current state of your teeth and what needs to be worked upon.
Following on from this is the treatment itself. If you are having dental implants then this will involve the insertion of the implant followed by the fitting of a replacement tooth or restoration.
Learn more about this in our dental implants section.
If you are suffering from temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ) then you may require an orthodontic device such as a brace to help realign your ‘bite’ or your jaw in general.
Learn more about this in our orthodontics section.
If you have silver amalgam fillings but are unhappy with their appearance or safety record then natural white fillings are a good alternative. These are also known as ‘inlays’. Another option is a porcelain filling or ‘onlay’, so called because it can fit onto a tooth.
Learn more about this in our onlays and inlays section.
Damaged teeth can be treated with crowns or a bridge. A crown is a replacement tooth which fits over a chipped or badly worn tooth. If you require several of these then they can be combined to form a bridge. Also used as part of a dental implant procedure.
Learn more about this in our dental crowns section.
Dental veneers are another option: they are tooth coloured shells which are designed to fit onto the front of a badly stained tooth to improve its appearance. These tend to be used more for aesthetic reasons rather than restorative.
Learn more about this in our dental veneers section.
How long does full mouth reconstruction procedure take?
That’s a difficult question to answer. It all depends upon the amount of treatment you need. The greater the extent of damage the more treatment needed which will take longer.
Some of these treatments take longer than others. For example, a dental implant is fitted in two stages which can mean up to a 6 month wait between the insertion and the fitting of the restoration.
The timescale for your treatment will be discussed between you and the dentist.
What can go wrong with full mouth reconstruction?
Many dental treatments enjoy high success rates and the vast majority of patients do not experience any problems or side effects.
However, no procedure is 100\% perfect and problems do occur in a small minority of cases.
These are likely to be implant failure, loose veneers or veneers which fall off; an ill-fitting crown or a crown which falls off altogether.
These are fairly minor problems which can be corrected. If you notice any of these or anything untoward then contact your dentist.
What is the full mouth reconstruction procedure?
This starts with a planned programme of treatment. As this treatment can involve implants, crowns, veneers, inlays etc then these need to be organised into a logical system.
In the initial consultation with your dentist he or she will discuss your treatment options; as well as asking questions about your lifestyle, state of health and expectations of this treatment.
This will be followed by a thorough oral examination in which the dentist will use the latest technology to determine what is needed and when. This may include x-rays/CAT scan, bite analysis, joint vibration analysis (JVA) and digital imagery.
Your dentist may have the latest 3D design software and can use this to show you a preview of what your treatment will involve. And what the outcome will be.
This is also used as a means of assessing the current state of your teeth and what needs to be worked upon.
Following on from this is the treatment itself. If you are having dental implants then this will involve the insertion of the implant followed by the fitting of a replacement tooth or restoration.
Learn more about this in our dental implants section.
If you are suffering from temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ) then you may require an orthodontic device such as a brace to help realign your ‘bite’ or your jaw in general.
Learn more about this in our orthodontics section.
If you have silver amalgam fillings but are unhappy with their appearance or safety record then natural white fillings are a good alternative. These are also known as ‘inlays’. Another option is a porcelain filling or ‘onlay’, so called because it can fit onto a tooth.
Learn more about this in our onlays and inlays section.
Damaged teeth can be treated with crowns or a bridge. A crown is a replacement tooth which fits over a chipped or badly worn tooth. If you require several of these then they can be combined to form a bridge. Also used as part of a dental implant procedure.
Learn more about this in our dental crowns section.
Dental veneers are another option: they are tooth coloured shells which are designed to fit onto the front of a badly stained tooth to improve its appearance. These tend to be used more for aesthetic reasons rather than restorative.
Will I need any further treatment after the full mouth procedure?
If you follow the dentist’s instructions and look after your teeth then many of these procedures are permanent.
Crowns or veneers can last for 10 to 15 years, implants longer than this.
These will need to be replaced eventually but you are looking at a long period of time before they do so.
Further treatment will only be required if something goes wrong, for example, a failed implant.
