Full Mouth Reconstruction Cost
Repairing or rebuilding a person’s entire smile is no small feat. Full mouth reconstruction is a procedure used to restore or replace most or all of the teeth. The teeth might be damaged due to decay, disease, painful problems with the bite, or trauma; regardless of cause, the goal of full mouth reconstruction is to replace or restore missing or significantly damaged teeth, thereby restoring the functional mechanics of the dentition. The procedure involves several steps, many of which might require a dental specialist, though the complexity of each person’s case varies. With these variations in complexity come variations in cost, leading to a broad price range, with procedures ranging from $25,000 to $125,000.
Many factors contribute to such a broad fluctuation in price, including:
- Number of procedures needed
- Types of procedures needed
- Choice of materials
- Location of the dental team
- Expertise of the dental team
Because full mouth reconstruction affects the function of the bite and has medical benefits for the patient, it is considered a dental procedure and may be covered, at least partly, by dental insurance. However, many full mouth reconstruction plans include treatments that are solely cosmetic, and these aren’t covered by dental insurance. In many cases, dentists offer the option of bundling certain procedures, allowing the patient to save on the costs of anesthesia while also saving time, and they may offer discounts for these and other bundles.
Your dentist will review the costs of your procedures, offering options where they exist, and you should never be afraid to ask questions as they come up; after all, it’s your mouth, and it’s your money. When planning, keep in mind that a single dental crown usually ranges in price from $800 to $2,000, while a single dental implant costs between $2,500 and $5,000. Some of this cost might be defrayed by insurance, so make sure to review your own insurance closely as you plan your procedure. After all, that would mean that replacing all your teeth with individual dental implants could end up costing as much as $50,000, if not more.
While it may be possible to replace every tooth with a dental implant, recreating the tooth and its root with a crown and an implant, it would be cost-prohibitive in most cases. Thankfully, there are methods and designs that allow dentists to restore or repair all or most of the teeth with fewer implants, so make sure you talk through your budget and your expectations with your dentist; you might be surprised to learn that there are options that could work within your budget. You’ll also want to clarify and confirm with your dentist which elements of your full mouth reconstruction, if any, are strictly cosmetic, as these are very unlikely to be covered by insurance. Cosmetic treatments like tooth whitening can be quite affordable, even out of pocket, usually costing a few hundred dollars. Porcelain veneers, on the other hand, run anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000, and you wouldn’t want that bill to be a surprise.
Dental prosthetics, like crowns and dental implants, vary in price based on what they’re made of, and each material comes with its own pros and cons. You might also incur additional costs because of supporting procedures, like periodontal or orthodontic treatments, bone grafts, or extractions. Clearly, restoring the alignment and function of the bite and teeth requires durable, biocompatible components, and any full mouth reconstruction should be viewed as a valuable investment into a healthy future. If you have dental insurance, work with your provider to understand exactly what’s covered; if you’re not insured, ask your dentist about financing options, as many dental practices work with third-party financing platforms. Call your dentist to arrange an estimate, and start planning for a brighter, better future.
Related Article: Full Mouth Reconstruction Steps