Full Mouth Reconstruction Steps

While the specific features of a full mouth reconstruction treatment will vary from person to person, the steps involved in the overall treatment plan are largely the same. In short, the steps involved in any full mouth reconstruction are:

1: Assessment and logistics

2: “Putting out fires”

3: Creating a stable foundation

4. Reconstructing and reinforcing existing teeth

5. Replacing missing teeth

6. Aligning the bite

7. Finishing touches

With the logical order of these steps, dental professionals can restore the appearance, function, and comfort of the teeth, ensuring and supporting the health of the oral cavity by relying on specialists when more focused attention is needed.

The first step of any successful plan is research. In your initial assessment, your dentist evaluates your entire medical and dental history and examines your mouth and teeth visually and manually, using x-rays and expertise to pinpoint issues with the teeth, the jaw, the gums, or the bite. The dentist will discuss your treatment goals and preferences with you as they plan. For example, some patients seek full mouth reconstruction primarily to allow them to eat comfortably, while others have more aesthetic motivations; methods and outcomes can often be adjusted based on these preferences.

Existing health concerns must be addressed before any reconstruction can take place; a healthy mouth is necessary for a stable foundation. Infection, decay, gum disease, or damaged teeth will be handled individually and may require visits to different dental specialists, like a periodontist or an endodontist, to put out these various oral-health fires. Once the oral health is stabilized, the health and vitality of the gums and bones must be ensured. This means continued management of gum disease, but it can also mean bone grafts, tissue grafts, or other periodontal procedures that seek to rebuild damaged tissue to better support and protect future dental implants. At this point, if needed, such preparatory grafts are placed, giving them time to fully heal before reconstruction proceeds. Smaller issues with individual teeth may be treated at this time, placing fillings or onlays, or addressing infection with root canal therapy and a dental crown.

With the overarching goal of restoring the function of the teeth, including a balanced and comfortable bite, full mouth reconstruction might involve correcting gaps or misalignments with crowns, onlays, or bridges, preventing the teeth from further motility while improving the appearance and function of the dentition. Toward this end, orthodontic treatments might also be included in full mouth reconstruction. Treatment could involve replacing individual teeth or multiple teeth with dentures, bridges, dental implants, or a combination of these treatments. Throughout the process, as each reconstruction is accounted for, the comfort and balance of the bite are noted, with final adjustments designed to ensure the longevity and success of the restorations and optimize the comfort and appearance of the teeth and smile.

Procedures involved in a full mouth reconstruction run the gamut from surgically implanted bridges to topical whitening treatments, including crowns, root canals, grafts, braces, fillings, and nearly everything in between. Careful planning and treatment with an expert dental team can ensure the success of your treatment, so give a call today to get started with your own full mouth reconstruction plan.

Related Article: What is Full Mouth Reconstruction