Full Mouth Reconstruction

Full mouth reconstruction (also known as full mouth restoration) is a procedure in which all the teeth in both the upper and lower jaws are rebuilt simultaneously. Undergoing a full mouth reconstruction usually involves common dental treatments like bridges, crowns and veneers but in some cases specialists in areas such as orthodontics, gums (periodontists) and oral surgeons may also need to be consulted. There can be several causes for the extensive damage which warrants a full mouth reconstruction. Teeth may be lost due to damage or decay, fractured or chipped teeth, excessively worn teeth due to grinding and conditions where your bite (occlusion) causes muscle pain, jaw pain and headaches. Similarly, teeth that have been severely eroded due to the acids contained in certain foods and drinks or due to acid erosion can all be replaced via a full mouth reconstruction.

The Procedure

Before undergoing full mouth reconstruction your dentist will give you a thorough oral examination to assess the extent of the problem and which treatment options will be used. The condition of your teeth will be examined to see what kinds of restorations will be used such as crowns, inlays, onlays, bridges or veneers. Your dentist will pay careful attention to any decay or cavities, wear in the teeth and cracks along with any issues occurring with tooth movement or the root canal. Your gums will also be monitored, if they're not in good shape it's likely that you'll need to undergo scaling and root planing to protect against periodontal problems. Depending on the extent of the damage you may need bone grafts or grafts using soft tissue to help support your gums and jaw bone. During the examination you'll also have your bite (occlusion) checked as having a stable bit is vital to your oral health. Restorations can cause changes in your bite and so this needs to be considered by your dentist in the planning stage. It's usual to have a few X-rays and photographs taken of your teeth along with an impression being taken in specialised dental putty.

There's a wide range of treatments which can be used so procedures differ greatly from case to case. The majority of full mouth reconstructions require multiple visits to the clinic and, depending on the extent of the damage, can take many months to complete. Some of the most common treatments involved include;

  • Lengthening crowns to expose healthy tooth structure for potential restorations
  • Periodontal care
  • Orthognathic surgery
  • Gum Countouring
  • Reducing the natural tooth structure to make room for restorations
  • Temporary restorations
  • Permanent restorations
  • Orthodontics
  • Implants
  • Soft tissue or bone grafts to support your teeth.