Is Full Mouth Reconstruction the Same as a Smile Makeover?

Full mouth reconstruction is a complex dental procedure that aims to restore or rebuild all the teeth in an adult’s mouth, in both the upper and lower jaws. This treatment varies from the well-known smile makeover, most notably in that a smile makeover is strictly elective and cosmetic, restoring only the appearance of damaged or compromised teeth, while a full mouth reconstruction replaces multiple missing teeth and is necessary to ensure and sustain oral health.

Why Would Someone Need Full Mouth Reconstruction?

There are several reasons that a person might lose multiple teeth, and the method of restoration and specialists involved with the restoration will depend on different factors. Full mouth reconstruction might be a solution for severe dental misalignment or malocclusion, though it is more commonly used to restore teeth that have been broken or lost to disease or decay, teeth that have fractured in injury or trauma, or severely worn or eroded teeth. Full mouth dental reconstructions are performed by restorative dentists or general dentists, and plans for a full mouth reconstruction often include referrals to dental specialists. When tooth loss is due to gum disease, a periodontist will work with the patient to restore and ensure the health of the gums before placing any dental implants, for example, while other situations might call for specialists like orthodontists, endodontists, or oral surgeons.

How Do I Know If Full Mouth Reconstruction is Best For Me?

If you lose several teeth in an accident or impact, you should obviously see a dentist and a doctor right away! Your medical and dental teams will do everything they can to save your teeth, but this might not be possible. If you’re concerned about extreme dental erosion, tooth decay, or gum disease, your dentist can help you understand your treatment options, including but not limited to full mouth reconstruction. If you do opt for full mouth reconstruction, you’ll usually see your dentist or dental specialist several times, in multiple visits over the course of a year or more, though this number varies from person to person, of course. The condition of the patient’s teeth and oral cavity dictates which type of dental restoration is best. If necessary, dental restoration might be postponed while tooth decay is addressed, and, if decay has already compromised the health of the tooth’s pulp, this infected pulp might be extracted, in a root canal procedure, before a restorative crown can be placed. If you have gum disease, a periodontist will deep clean your teeth, both below and above the gum line, to try to reduce inflammation in the gums. When gum disease is particularly advanced, your dentist might require you to receive bone or soft tissue grafts to prepare your jaw for restoration.

The alignment of the teeth and jaws is evaluated throughout the full mouth reconstruction process, and any changes in the bite are considered and addressed as treatment progresses. This might mean sleeping with a night guard or orthotic, or it could mean a more comprehensive orthodontic treatment. Allowing an uncomfortable, unstable bite to persist is a recipe for painful headaches, difficulty eating, and uneven wear on the teeth – all uncomfortable, destructive risks that are best avoided. Your dental team will use molds of your teeth and your bite to plan your treatment, considering alignment and occlusion as well as the shape and size of the teeth and the overall proportions of the face and the profile. Using x-rays, impressions, and photos, your dental team will ensure your full mouth reconstruction is just what you were hoping for. While the purposes of the full mouth reconstruction are medical, serving the goal of improving and maintaining the oral health and supporting the overall health, the outcomes of full mouth reconstruction can mirror the outcomes of smile makeovers, leaving patients with confident, natural-looking smiles and vital, healthy bones and oral cavities. See your dentist if you’re curious about the comprehensive ways you might improve your own oral health and ensure the confidence of your smile.

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