Regaining a healthy, beautiful smile doesn’t have to be a dream.

Have you ever broken a bone before? Even if you haven’t, you probably know that even a simple break is quite the experience, requiring you to wear a cast for at least a month—often several. Eventually, though, the broken bone heals. While teeth don’t heal from injuries or decay on their own, modern dentistry allows dentists to repair or replace even severely damaged teeth with a full mouth reconstruction, restoring their function, appearance, and health. But what do you do if every tooth in your mouth needs dental treatment of some kind? When this is the case, it’s easy to feel like there’s no solution—but that’s far from the truth!

Modern dental tools, procedures, and technology allow dentists to transform even severely damaged smiles using full mouth reconstruction. This type of restorative dentistry ensures that no smile is beyond saving! In fact, you won’t simply regain a functional or healthy smile. For many patients, full mouth reconstruction is the key to regaining a healthy, naturally beautiful smile that also has the strength and durability to function better than it has in years! To help you learn whether this treatment is right for you, we’ve put together a guide on different types of full mouth reconstruction and what each involves.

What is a full mouth reconstruction?

A full mouth reconstruction is a series of restorative dentistry procedures that work together to restore every tooth in your mouth. Though these procedures do drastically improve the appearance of your smile, including potentially involving procedures that allow you and your dentist to design a smile you love, they’re first and foremost medically necessary. The main goal of a full mouth reconstruction is to restore the function and health of your teeth and gums. Since full mouth reconstructions can involve many different procedures, they’re versatile and can resolve a wide range of dental issues.

Dr. Oxley will design your full mouth reconstruction to address each of your unique oral health issues. Among the challenges this type of treatment can resolve are misaligned bites, gum disease, gum recession, and teeth that are missing, broken, cracked, damaged by severe decay, or severely worn down. While Dr. Oxley treats each of these issues, he also considers how each treatment will work together to create a healthy, beautiful smile that looks and feels natural.

What treatments do full mouth reconstructions involve?

To help resolve such a wide range of oral health issues, full mouth reconstructions can involve a wide range of procedures. Some of these treatments include:

• Dental fillings.
• Root canal therapy.
• Bone grafts.
• Dental implants.
• Bridges.
• Dental crowns.
• Tooth extractions.
• Periodontal treatments.
• Gum contouring or grafting.
• Orthodontic treatments.

Each full mouth reconstruction is different, so your treatment likely won’t involve all of these procedures. This wide selection might seem overwhelming at first, but it’s incredibly important because it gives you plenty of options to choose from! You and your dentist will be able to design an optimal treatment plan that addresses all of the issues you need it to while creating a beautifully natural smile you’re sure to love.

Who is a good fit for a full mouth reconstruction?

People who have extensive damage to all or most of their teeth and are ready to reclaim a smile that is beautiful, functional, and healthy are usually great candidates for a full mouth reconstruction. Beyond just being a good candidate for the procedures, however, you should commit to great oral hygiene once your full mouth reconstruction is complete! This will keep your new smile healthy and beautiful in the long term and will ensure that any restorations you get will last as long as possible, saving you money in the long run as well!

What technology is involved in the treatment process?  

Dr. Oxley uses advanced dental technology to give you the best care possible at every step of your full mouth reconstruction. During the planning process, he uses digital X-rays to get an immediate look at the health and positioning of your teeth and jaws. When necessary, he also uses CT scans to produce high-quality, 3D images. These images are incredibly helpful for planning the placement of dental implants or treatments for TMJ pain.

Advanced dental technology also includes the materials used in restorations like dental crowns, as these materials are constantly improving. With this in mind, Dr. Oxley offers crown materials such as e.max and zirconia. Their natural appearance, strength, and durability make them two of the best types of dental crown materials available today.

How do I care for my completed restorations?

Caring for your restorations depends upon exactly which treatments you receive, as some may require different cleaning techniques. When you receive a full mouth reconstruction, Dr. Oxley will tell you how you should care for each specific restoration. In general, though, you should visit Dr. Oxley for a preventive care appointment at least once every six months and practice great oral hygiene at home, including brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day, flossing at least once a day, and using mouthwash every day.

You should also be kind to your dental restorations! Don’t use them for anything you shouldn’t use natural teeth for, such as opening plastic packaging or bottle caps. Caring for your restorations is usually relatively simple and only takes a few minutes a day, but you’ll notice a huge difference in your oral health!

What are the long-term benefits of a full mouth reconstruction?  

The exact benefits of your full mouth reconstruction depend upon what oral health challenges you’re currently facing and which treatments you and your doctor decide are right for you. In general, however, these procedures carry numerous benefits for both your oral and overall health.

For example, healthy gums keep your entire body healthier by helping prevent oral bacteria from making it into your bloodstream, and teeth that function well make it easier to eat healthy foods and live a healthy lifestyle. Plus, treatments that make your teeth even and straight or restore missing teeth do more than improve function. They also make your teeth easier to clean thoroughly, which helps you prevent future cavities and gum disease!

No matter which treatments you and your dentist choose for your full mouth reconstruction, they work together to give you a smile that you can be truly confident in—a smile that’s healthy, strong, and beautiful. If you’d like to learn more about full mouth reconstructions and what treatment options might be right for you, feel free to call at any time and schedule an evaluation with Dr. Oxley!