Understanding Full Mouth Reconstruction: When Is It Needed?

Full-mouth reconstruction sounds complicated and overwhelming, but it’s a life-changing treatment for many patients. What is it, and how do you know if you need it? Mostly, your dentist will help you decide, but here’s everything you need to know. 

What Is Full Mouth Reconstruction?

Full-mouth reconstruction generally means extensive dental care that treats all or most teeth in your mouth. It usually involves replacing or rebuilding all of your teeth using a few treatment options, including:

• Crowns
• Bridges
• Implants
• Dentures
• In some cases, veneers or onlays may also be used, depending on your individual needs and the condition of specific teeth.

The type of treatment you receive depends on your unique dental needs. However, implants are often a popular choice because of their longevity and durability. Dental implants are installed directly into your jaw and fuse with your bone, creating strong, artificial teeth that last many years. 

Who Is Full Mouth Reconstruction For?

Some people will need full mouth reconstruction because of medical conditions present at birth, oral cancer and treatment that affects teeth, facial injuries, and complex dental problems. 

People Born With Certain Conditions

Certain genetic medical conditions cause issues with bone growth and development, leading to dental problems. 

A few key conditions stand out, such as:

• Ectodermal dysplasia: a condition where the outer layer or ectoderm of an unborn baby doesn’t develop properly and causes problems with hair, skin, nails, and teeth
• Amelogenesis imperfecta: a genetic condition that causes problems with the growth of the hard outer layer of teeth called enamel
• Dentinogenesis imperfecta: a genetic condition where the dentin, the hard middle layer of teeth, doesn’t develop properly and causes broken or cracked teeth
• Dentin dysplasia: a genetic condition where dentin doesn’t form properly, causing problems with roots, pulp, and crowns of teeth

Children with these conditions may get cavities often, have trouble with weak teeth, or have missing, pointed, or wide spacing between teeth. Young children might need partial dentures to help with speech and chewing, but many wait until teen years to have dental reconstruction once growth has slowed. 

Patients With Oral Cancer

Oral cancer affects the tissues of your mouth and throat, including your tongue, lips, cheeks, and roof and floor of your teeth. Cancer can grow into your jawbones, which may lead to loose or damaged teeth. 

Additionally, treatment for oral cancer can affect your mouth and teeth, leading to dental problems. Radiation, for instance, can break down saliva glands, mouth tissues, and bones. Chemotherapy can also create imbalances with bacteria in your mouth and cause issues with saliva glands and dry mouth. Together, these treatments and side effects raise your risk of cavities and dental problems. 

People With Facial Injuries

Accidents and traumatic events that lead to head and face injuries can damage your teeth. For instance, a hit to the face during sports or a car accident may cause broken teeth and jaws. Your doctor or dental surgeon may need to plan full mouth restoration to correct these injuries and restore function.

People With Widespread Dental Problems

Finally, people with many dental problems throughout the whole mouth may need full reconstruction. This type of treatment is often reserved for when other treatments are no longer enough, or you need extensive dental care to help you chew, talk, and improve your quality of life. 

Signs You Need Dental Reconstruction

So, what are the signs that you may need to consider dental reconstruction? If you have one of the conditions mentioned above, your dentist has probably discussed your options already. However, a few other signs may indicate it’s time to talk to your dentist. 

Multiple Missing Teeth

Adults with multiple missing teeth have trouble chewing, but it also changes your appearance and harms oral and dental health. The remaining teeth start to tilt and move without nearby teeth to stabilize them, and the jawbones break down over time. 

Eventually, you will lose bone, your face will start to change shape and appear sunken, and you may have trouble speaking. Tooth loss may happen for many reasons, usually cavities, tumors, or accidents. However, full mouth reconstruction with implants can help stabilize your jaw and restore your teeth. 

Problems Chewing

There are often many underlying reasons for problems with chewing, ranging from gum disease, pain, missing teeth, bite problems, dry mouth, sensory problems, and trouble swallowing. However, significant issues with your teeth, gums, and jaw may cause severe problems with eating, nutrition, health, and quality of life. Full mouth restoration can help improve function.

Severely Damaged Teeth

Wide-spread cavities, broken or cracked teeth, many teeth with damaged fillings and decay, or badly worn teeth are other signs you may need dental reconstruction. Severe damage to your teeth may lead to tooth loss, infection, pain, inability to talk, poor quality of life, and worry about your appearance.

Comprehensive Dental Restoration With Starbody Dental

Full mouth reconstruction is a life-changing treatment and can restore both your health and appearance. Our team at Starbody Dental uses advanced technology and techniques to help transform your smile. Discover our services and book an appointment to learn more.

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