As the song from the musical "Annie"
goes, "you're not fully dressed without a smile." But for many
people, they're not comfortable smiling.
That's because their teeth aren't as perfect
as they'd like. Missing teeth, gum damage, and faulty bites are just a few
problems that can cause an imperfect smile.
And those problems can cause pain, suffering,
and more costly problems down the road if they're not addressed immediately.
That's why more patients are looking into full mouth rehabilitation.
It's full mouth reconstruction that addresses
all your issues at once. And you're left with a healthy, beautiful smile.
If you think you're a candidate for teeth
reconstruction, keep reading. We're sharing everything you need to know about
dental reconstruction.
What Full Mouth
Rehabilitation Is
When your dentist informs you that you're a
good candidate for full mouth reconstruction, it's usually because you need
several procedures in order to get your gums and teeth back in working order.
Often problems such as damaged teeth,
improperly seated jaw joints, missing teeth, faulty bites, jawbone and gum
damage, worn-out dental work, and even diseases of the mouth all need to be
addressed.
While each of these procedures can be
performed independently, when several of them exist at once, full mouth
rehabilitation is often advised.
Procedures That May Be
Involved in Dental Reconstruction
The first step your dentist will take will be
to perform a full exam on your mouth. He or she will inspect the current
condition of your teeth. Each plan differs depending on your goals and budget.
However, there are several common procedures
involved in teeth reconstruction. Let's take a look at them now.
Bruxism Treatments
Bruxism treatments are advised to help
patients who struggle with teeth grinding
and
their associated symptoms.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic
dentistry
procedures are very common with
teeth restoration efforts. Your dentist may advise you to get porcelain
veneers, your teeth whitened, dental bonding, and/or gum re-contouring. This
will ensure your teeth and gums are healthy and you end up with a beautiful
smile.
Implants
If you have missing teeth, your dentist will
advise you to get
implants
. They'll replicate your tooth from root to crown
and no one will know the implants aren't real teeth.
Neuromuscular
Dentistry/TMD Treatments
Neuromuscular dentistry/TMD treatment helps
address problems involving TMJ or temporomandibular joints and your bite. Not addressing an off-balance bite
can lead to pain and problems with your teeth in the future.
Oral Surgeries
You may require oral surgery as part of your
dental reconstruction. Your surgery may include root canal therapy, soft and
hard tissue grafting, and tooth extractions.
Orthodontics
Orthodontics may also be advised for patients
with misaligned teeth. That may include strategies such as Invisalign® or
traditional metal braces, expanders, spacers, and retainers.
Periodontal Treatments
And periodontal treatments may be part of your
teeth restoration efforts. Periodontal surgery, root planing, and scaling are
not uncommon procedures.
What Makes a Good Candidate
for Teeth Reconstruction
If you're someone who has suffered through
multiple oral health problems, whose currently oral health problems are
affecting most or all of your teeth and its supporting tissues, you're a good
candidate for full mouth rehabilitation.
Younger patients have less risk to worry about
during their dental procedures. However, if you are older or suffer from health
issues, your dentist can also create a treatment plan that involves fewer
invasive procedures.
Share Your Full Health
History With Your Dentist
Be sure to provide your dentist with a
complete and thorough health history before you embark on any surgeries. And
make sure to provide your dentist with a full list of any medications you're
taking, including any vitamins and minerals you take.
Be advised that patients who aren't willing or
cannot maintain good oral health or those who are taking illegal drugs may not
experience lasting, positive results from their dental treatments. Don't forget
that habits like smoking and/or heavy drinking can also compromise your oral
health and lessen the effects of your dental reconstruction.
The Cost of a Full Mouth
Reconstruction
There are a variety of factors that will
affect the total cost of your dental reconstruction. Different dentists price
their services differently.
If you choose a dentist with more experience,
they will most likely charge you more. However, they're also more likely to
provide you with a higher level of quality based on their extensive experience.
How much planning is required to determine
your course of treatments will also affect the price of a full teeth
reconstruction. The more planning required, the more expensive it will be.
The current condition of your teeth is also a
huge factor in determining the price. If your teeth are in reasonably good
condition, less work is required. If, however, your gums and teeth are both
quite damaged, more extensive work is needed, which will drive up the costs.
The type of technology used and the types of
restorations you require will also affect the final price of the
reconstruction. Speak to your dentist and your insurance company to learn how
you can get the work done without it breaking your budget.
Why Teeth Reconstruction is
Worth the Price
Imagine going through life never wanting to
smile. Imagine going through life with your mouth in pain and it getting worse,
not better.
Waiting on these procedures isn't really an
option. It just adds to your discomfort and can end up costing you more as
things shift, change, and get worse while you wait.
Once your original teeth are gone, you can't
get them back. And bad oral health is often an indicator that something serious
is going on with the rest of your body. There are too many links to oral health and serious health conditions
to ignore these problems.
Find a Dentist You Like and
Trust
If you're thinking of opting for a full mouth
rehabilitation, it's vital you work with a dentist you like and trust. Ask
friends and family to refer a dentist to you.
And check out the dentist before you schedule
an appointment. Look online to find out more about them and their practice.
Look for online testimonials to see what
others think about the dentist. To take a look
at our testimonials
, click here.
